Mercedes CLA EQ test drive: How does the new 800-volt electric sedan drive?

The first impression of the Mercedes EV was positive, and the German automaker has finally included a reasonably sized frunk. From our own experience, it’s perfect for transporting the charging cable, which takes up unnecessary space in the trunk otherwise. Upon entry, the first thing you notice is that you sit a little higher than you would expect when looking at the car from the outside. This is caused by the battery that’s installed in the underbody, but we would have liked to adjust the seat a bit lower.

The interior makes a very high-quality and solid impression, although you quickly find hard plastic in the lower areas. The non-existent high-gloss finish in the center console is a plus. Drivers can quickly deactivate the speed limit warning by pressing and holding the traffic sign on the touchscreen. Operating the screens via the touchpads on the steering wheel is problematic and resulted in several incorrect inputs. Fans of extensive ambient lighting will certainly enjoy this electric car, even though you should like the countless illuminated stars on the passenger side dashboard. Unfortunately, there is no sunshade for the panoramic glass roof.

The "driving sound" is particularly noticeable right from the start, but fortunately, it can be turned off. In our opinion, the various sound profiles sound very artificial and do not contribute to the driving experience as they become annoying quite quickly. On the other hand, acceleration is very decent, and the official 4.9 seconds to 100 kph (62 mph) seems realistic. The electric Mercedes CLA also quickly hits its top speed of 210 kph (130 mph). Other positive aspects include the low interior noise levels, we could still talk without raising our voices at speeds above 160 kph (100 mph). The standard seats are comfortable but don’t provide much lateral support.

The chassis focuses on comfort, and the car absorbed road bumps well. However, the Mercedes EV feels relatively spongy at higher speeds and could feel more secure and stable. Furthermore, the chassis is too soft in corners, so it definitely doesn’t feel sporty in this regard. In the city, the brakes didn’t fully convince us either. Just before coming to a complete stop, there always is a slight jolt. Even after stopping, we had to keep our foot on the brake for about 2 seconds until the auto hold feature engaged.

We were positively surprised by the efficiency on city roads. In the afternoon rush hour traffic of the Ruhr area (dry, 16° C / 61° F) with a lot of stop and go, we used around 13 kWh on 100 km, which is decent. This certainly makes a range of 600 km (373 miles) feasible in the city. On our relatively short drive on the German Autobahn, during which we also hit the 210 kph / 130 mph top speed, the CLA EQ consumed 20 kWh on 100 km. A more defensive driving style can surely save some more energy here.

The 800-volt technology allows for a charging speed of up to 320 kW, which means that the EV charges from 10 to 80% in 22 minutes according to Mercedes. However, we couldn’t test these fast charging capabilities on our short drive. AC charging takes place at up to 11 kW, but an optional 22 kW charger is available for an additional €654.

The problem is that the new CLA EQ cannot be charged at 400-volt stations at the time of writing. A corresponding option will become available early next year. 400-volt charging is an optional extra on the new Mercedes GLC EQ and costs €654. The navigation system is aware of this limitation and avoids these charging stations. Anyhow, without this option, you cannot use many 50 kW chargers at supermarkets or most Tesla charging stations in Germany, for example.