Mercedes-Benz has re-entered the Australian estate car segment with the third-generation CLA Shooting Brake, with pricing beginning at $70,800 plus on-road expenses for the mild-hybrid CLA 200 and $72,990 plus ORC for the electric CLA 200. Customer orders commenced on October 22, with both variants scheduled to reach dealerships by January 2027. This launch signals the brand’s return to the wagon category after a five-year absence, with the new Shooting Brake model complementing the CLA sedan introduced earlier this year. The first-generation model was available locally, though Mercedes-Benz Australia skipped the second generation, while the electric variant represents the marque’s first all-electric Shooting Brake design.
Size and shape
The Shooting Brake’s design aligns with the CLA sedan up to the B-pillar, sharing features like the low greenhouse and shark-nose front end before the roofline extends rearward and slopes more gently toward the tailgate. Dimensions mirror the sedan, measuring 4723mm in length, 1855mm2790mm wheelbase, with a height ranging from 1452mm to 1469mm. The extended, raised body provides 26mm additional rear headroom compared to the sedan, alongside an extra 14mm of front headroom and 11mm of legroom, with widened rear door openings. Boot capacity starts at 455 litres, expanding to 1290 litres when the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are lowered, accommodating a maximum load width of 1418mm and featuring a hands-free powered tailgate.
The electric variant incorporates a 101-litre front storage compartment. A panoramic glass roof is standard, featuring heat-insulating laminated glass with an infrared-reflective layer and a 200-nanometre low-emissivity coating. A Sky Control roof offering adjustable transparency is available as a $1600 option. The electric model is distinguished by an illuminated front fascia with 142 individually lit chrome-finish LED stars. In contrast to the sedan lineup, no all-wheel-drive Shooting Brake variants are offered at launch, eliminating options such as a CLA 220 4Matic or CLA 350 equivalent.
Engines and tech
Pricing remains closely aligned with the sedan, with the petrol-powered wagon costing $2700 more than the CLA 200 sedan, while the electric version is just $790 pricier than the CLA 200 electric sedan ($72,200 + ORC). The CLA 200 mild-hybrid utilizes a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt system and 1.3kWh battery, delivering 120kW and 250Nm via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front wheels. Fuel consumption is estimated at 5.4L/100km, improving on the outgoing 1.3-litre CLA 200’s 6.7L/100km. The system enables electric-only operation below 20kW and regenerates up to 25kW during braking.
The CLA 200 electric version employs a single rear-mounted motor producing 165kW and 335Nm, connected to a two-speed transmission and a 58kWh battery. It achieves a claimed WLTP range of up to 511km (compared to 470km for the sedan, which Mercedes-Benz attributes to specification differences) and consumes 13.2kWh/100km. The 800-volt electrical architecture supports DC fast-charging up to 320kW and AC charging at 22kW. A single-box braking system, integrating the brake booster, master cylinder, and ESP, recovers up to 200kW of energy.
Standard features include the AMG Line package with 18-inch AMG alloys, rear privacy glass, a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a 14.0-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, the MBUX Virtual Assistant leveraging AI from Microsoft and Google, wireless device charging, over-the-air software updates, and Artico upholstery. The front seats offer power adjustment, heating, lumbar support, and memory settings, complemented by a 360-degree camera system. The redesigned steering wheel reintroduces physical controls, including a rocker switch for the speed limiter and Distance Assist, alongside a roller controller for audio adjustments.
Driver assistance systems encompass adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping aid, driver attention detection, and safe exit alert, supported by eight airbags. Various optional packages allow further customization. The CLA has earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2025 testing, although this assessment was performed on the sedan variant. Mercedes-Benz provides a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance, with an additional eight-year/160,000km warranty for the electric model’s battery. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 25,000km, with prepaid service plans priced at $3425 for three years, $4670 for four years, and $6710 for five years on the hybrid, and $2455, $3620, and $4295 on the electric.
