Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Saloon Clinches Prestigious 2026 Car of the Year Award
The prestigious 2026 Car of the Year award has been claimed by an electric vehicle, with the Mercedes-Benz CLA saloon emerging victorious in a landmark decision. This triumph represents the German luxury brand's first win in this esteemed competition for over five decades, having last secured the accolade with the 450 SE/SEL model back in 1974.
A Fiercely Competitive Field of Electrified Contenders
The 63rd edition of the Car of the Year awards proved to be one of the most competitive in its history, with all finalist models featuring electrified technology. The Mercedes-Benz CLA ultimately prevailed with an impressive 320 points, defeating a strong lineup of rivals that included the Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Renault 4, Skoda Elroq, Citroen C5, and Dacia Bigster.
The official Car of the Year jury emphasized the significance of this year's competition, stating: "The Car Of The Year award celebrates its 63rd edition this year and has done so by returning a premium brand to the top. This year's edition was more competitive than ever, given that all the finalist models had electrified features, and most of them were 100% electric."
Runner-Up Positions and Previous Champion
The Skoda Elroq finished as runner-up with 220 points, while the Kia EV4 claimed third place with 208 points. The Mercedes-Benz CLA inherits the crown from last year's champion, the Renault 5 EV, continuing the trend of electric vehicles dominating the awards in recent years.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, expressed pride in the achievement, remarking: "The new CLA was named Car of the Year 2026 - a proud moment for Mercedes Benz. Jurors from across Europe have confirmed what our customers have been telling us: the CLA is a game-changer, delivering outstanding efficiency and effortless intelligence."
Vehicle Versatility and Market Context
Beyond its all-electric variant, the CLA is also available as a hybrid or estate car—sometimes referred to as a shooting brake—demonstrating the flexibility that modern car manufacturers are building into their vehicle lineups. This versatility comes as automakers navigate the challenging transition away from fossil fuels toward more sustainable transportation options.
The award announcement arrives amidst mixed signals in the electric vehicle market. Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that electric car adoption has experienced a slight dip, with battery electric vehicles achieving just 20.6% market share in the latest reporting period—the lowest since April 2025.
The SMMT noted: "Uptake of battery electric vehicles rose just 0.1% to 29,654 units - delivering a 20.6% market share, the lowest since April 2025. The decrease follows a strong 2025 January performance when uptake was pulled forward as buyers sought to avoid April's introduction of new tax rates on BEVs. The largest growth was again recorded in plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), rising 47.3% to account for 12.9% of registrations."
This market context makes the Mercedes-Benz CLA's victory particularly significant, as it demonstrates that premium electric vehicles can still capture major awards and consumer attention even during periods of market fluctuation for electrified transportation.
