Mercedes-Benz has just pulled the covers off what might be the most stylish electric wagon yet. Meet the all-new CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology, the brand’s first-ever all-electric estate. Following the debut of its saloon sibling, this new model takes the sleek, coupé-like design that made the Shooting Brake a cult favourite and injects it with a massive dose of futuristic tech and zero-emission power. It’s a concept Mercedes-Benz first debuted with the CLS Shooting Brake in 2012 and successfully brought to the compact segment in 2015. For those who crave the practicality of a wagon but recoil at the thought of another SUV, this could be the EV you’ve been waiting for.
A Starry Night, Inside and Out
The design DNA is pure modern Mercedes. Up to the B-pillar, it shares its sharp “shark-nose” front and low-slung glasshouse with the CLA Saloon. The real head-turner is the front panel, which features 142 individually illuminated LED stars, creating an unmistakable light signature, especially when paired with the optional MULTIBEAM LED headlights. But the real party trick is where the roofline deviates. Instead of dropping off, it extends gracefully towards the rear, flowing into a back end that features its own star-design taillights connected by a light strip.
The Roof is an Event
Mercedes is clearly aiming to set a new benchmark with the interior, and it all starts with the roof. A massive one-piece panoramic glass roof stretches almost the entire length of the cabin, made of special heat-insulating glass to regulate the temperature inside. But this isn’t just a pane of glass. It’s optionally available with a new function that can switch its transparency from clear to opaque in just 10-20 milliseconds, offering instant privacy or shade from the sun.
If that wasn’t enough, Mercedes has turned the roof into a light show. For the first time, it’s connected to the ambient lighting system to create an “illuminated starry sky.”158 tiny stars are integrated into the glass, lighting up in your chosen ambient colour. It’s a feature that’s almost invisible during the day but creates a unique and dazzling experience at night, especially for rear passengers.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Inside, the futuristic theme continues with the optional MBUX Superscreen, a sweep of glass housing a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch central screen, and an optional 14-inch screen for the front passenger. This system is powered by the Unity Game Engine, and thanks to a partnership with Boosteroid, you can even stream and play AAA video games right from the dashboard (though only on the passenger screen while moving, thankfully).
In a move that will please many, Mercedes has listened to customer feedback and reintroduced physical controls on the new steering wheel, with a rocker switch for driver aids and a roller for volume control. The whole car runs on the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which allows for deep, over-the-air updates to core vehicle functions—not just entertainment—meaning the car can genuinely get better and gain new features over time.
Can it Handle the Kiwi Lifestyle?
Style and tech are great, but a wagon needs to be practical. The CLA Shooting Brake delivers some impressive numbers here. The CLA 250+ model boasts a WLTP range of up to 761 kilometres, which should quell any range anxiety on a long weekend trip. When you do need to plug in, a quick 10-minute top-up can add another 310 kilometres of range.
It’s also grown in size compared to its combustion-powered predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and more headroom for all passengers. While the boot is technically a fraction smaller at 455 litres, this is more than offset by a new 101-litre frunk under the bonnet, perfect for storing charging cables or a bag of shopping. With the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats down, cargo volume expands to 1,290 litres.
Crucially for Kiwis, it’s ready for adventure. Roof rails come standard with a 75kg load capacity, and it has a seriously impressive towing capacity of up to 1,800kg (for the all-wheel-drive model), enough for a jet ski or a couple of bikes on a trailer.
Our Take
The all-new electric CLA Shooting Brake seems to be a masterful blend of form and function. It takes a beloved, style-focused body shape and equips it with next-generation technology, headline-grabbing range, and the kind of practicality that makes wagons so appealing. The illuminated starry sky roof might be a gimmick to some, but it’s a statement of intent from a brand determined to infuse the electric age with luxury and a sense of wonder.
With a European launch set for March 2026, we’ll likely have to wait a little longer to see it on New Zealand roads. But from this first look, the wait for a truly stylish, practical, and tech-forward electric wagon might just be worth it.
