Mercedes-Benz wins its first European Car of the Year award since 1974 as CLA comes out on top
Published on Jan 12, 2026 at 7:35 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Jan 12, 2026 at 7:35 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Jason Fan
The European Car of the Year award for 2026 has been scooped up by the Mercedes-Benz CLA, marking a landmark achievement for the brand and its latest compact luxury EV.
This is the first time in over half a century that Mercedes-Benz has claimed the prestigious title, which dates back to 1974.
The announcement was made at the Brussels Motor Show, where the CLA beat off six rivals, with an impressive 320 points.
With a jury of 59 journalists representing 23 countries involved in the judging process, this win was no fluke.
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The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA has plenty of range
It was the luxurious Mercedes-Benz 450 SE/SEL that first brought the S-Class in the spotlight, and wowed judges with its comfort, performance, and innovative design.
That victory stood alone for decades, with Mercedes never landing the top spot again… until now.
The star of 2026, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, is more than just a pretty face.
Built on Mercedes’ new MMA electric platform with 800-volt architecture, the CLA delivers cutting-edge efficiency and range.
The CLA 250+ rear-wheel-drive model uses an 85 kWh battery to achieve up to around 490 miles WLTP on a single charge.
In addition, Mercedes claims that compatible 800-volt fast chargers can add significant range in about 10 minutes.
A more powerful CLA 350 4MATIC variant brings all-wheel drive and even greater performance, up to around 349 hp.
Pricing for the new electric CLA begins at about $48,500 for the base electric model, climbing above $56,000 for higher trims.
These figures position the CLA as an enticing but premium choice in the compact EV segment.
The European Car of the Year are mostly EVs these days
The European Car of the Year award has celebrated a wide variety of vehicles over its long history.
Early winners included the Rover 2000 in 1964, and the Fiat-built 127 and 128 in the 1970s.
More recent victors include the Toyota Yaris in 2021, and the Kia EV6 in 2022, reflecting changing tastes and technologies.
The most recent winner, the Renault 5 E-Tech, is filled with a number of quirky features, including a baguette holder.
Mercedes-Benz’s latest win signals a fresh chapter for the storied German carmaker.
Whether you’re a die-hard Benz fan or a curious EV shopper, the 2026 CLA is definitely a car to look out for.
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Jason Fan is an experienced content creator who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a degree in communications. He then relocated to Australia during a millennial mid-life crisis. A fan of luxury travel and high-performance machines, he politely thanks chatbots just in case the AI apocalypse ever arrives. Jason covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on technology, planes and luxury.
