09:57 10-01-2026

Mercedes-Benz CLA is Europe’s Car of the Year 2026: results and impact

The Mercedes-Benz CLA has been named Car of the Year 2026, returning the brand to the overall European crown for the first time in five decades. According to SPEEDME.RU, the model beat six other finalists and scored 320 points—a convincing gap to the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV4.

Why the Mercedes CLA won

The jury highlighted its technical depth, balanced dynamics, and a fresh take on the compact premium formula. The CLA pairs electric and gasoline powertrains while preserving the brand’s familiar handling character and advanced electronics. It did draw criticism for a tight cabin and for a real-world efficiency edge that proved less dramatic than promised, yet its contribution to moving the segment forward outweighed those caveats. The verdict feels natural in a field where coherent engineering matters as much as headline figures.

How the votes broke down

The CLA topped the ballot for 22 jurors—a clear edge over the Citroën C5 Aircross, which secured 15 first-place votes. In the final standings, the Skoda Elroq scored 220 points, the Kia EV4 208, followed by the C5 Aircross (207), Fiat Grande Panda (200), Dacia Bigster (170), and Renault 4 (150). In total, 59 experts from 23 countries cast their votes, distributing 25 points among at least five models.

What it means for the market

For Mercedes, the CLA’s win signals a return to a more assertive phase of competition. The model sketches the path for the brand’s compact lineup: technology-led execution, versatile powertrains, and an emphasis on European efficiency standards.

The award also strengthens the CLA’s position ahead of Mercedes’ transition to a new architecture and a broader refresh of compact EVs. It underlines that even in a fiercely competitive electric era, the brand can deliver a product that resonates with jurors and buyers alike. For the market, it’s a reminder that compact premium remains a decisive battleground—and Mercedes intends to win it again.