First Drive: 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid

It's a crisp day in the Austrian Alps. A closed road has been plowed just for us. Well, piles of snow have been pushed aside, but the road remains covered in white. This is the type of drive usually reserved for an SUV or all-wheel-drive outfitted vehicle sporting cladding and a robust following amongst dog owners. Instead, I'm behind the wheel of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid, and everything is going great. Well, mostly everything.

The 2027 CLA hybrid uses one of two powertrains coming to the German sedan, alongside an electric version. Both will be available in the second half of 2026, according to Mercedes, and both are built on the new MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform. A platform that supports both EV and ICE powertrains, Mercedes says, allows the company to meet customer demand.