2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Reviews

We normally associate the Mercedes-Benz brand with luxury passenger cars. But the world of Mercedes commercial vehicles is a well established and respected one, too. Popular in Europe, the M-B commercial range is spearheaded by the Sprinter line-up of trucks, vans and busses and Australia has seen its share of them over the years, too.The second generation (code-named W906) was sold here from 2006 to 2018 and, in the process, helped Mercedes commercials get a good foothold in this market.And if you think luxury cars have a bewildering range of options and specifications, the Sprinter line-up over the years puts them all to shame. It’s reckoned the various permutations of Sprinters could generate as many as 1000 different vehicles. It’s easy to believe, too, and even in Australia, Sprinters have been available as vans, busses and cab-chassis formats, with choices including high and low-roof options, short-, mid- and long-wheelbase layouts, single or dual cabs, various driveline choices and even the option of all-wheel drive.Yet for all that diversity, the vast majority of them have been painted white (the only no-cost paint choice in many commercial vehicles).Nearly all Sprinters of this generation sold in Australia were powered by turbo-diesel engines (either four cylinder or V6) and were fitted with five- or six-speed manual gearboxes or six or seven-speed automatic transmissions. Improved engines were added as time passed, usually with a small uptick in performance and economy, but by and large, the engines remained very similar across the 12 years the W906 was on sale here. Any second-hand commercial vehicle can be a can of worms due to the way it’s been used in the past. While some fleets are meticulous in terms of servicing and maintenance, others are not so careful. And even though it’s built to commercial-vehicle standards and specifications, neglect like that can ruin any vehicle.But if you find a good one, a Sprinter has the potential to change your views on commercials with dynamics and quality that are a cut above the rest of the white-van pack.And let’s face it, a good van is worth its weight in gold when you really, really need one for a specific task. And with Mercedes’ decades of experience in this type of vehicle, the Sprinter often gets it just right. The reliability and durability of a Sprinter van is much more likely to be determined by the vehicle’s service history than any inherent faults. That said, there are a few things to watch, but the Mercedes is probably one of the better commercial vans for reliability. Some owners have reported slippage and slow shifting in automatic Sprinters. The good news is this often seems to require nothing more than a transmissions service with new fluid to put things right. The trade reckons the automatic transmissions in the Sprinter need such a service every 120,000km.Sprinters with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) can have trouble with blocked filters that require either manual cleaning or replacement. Sluggish performance and poor fuel economy are early signs of this.Manual Sprinters can develop wear in the shifter mechanism that can lead to a noisy, sloppy shift action and tricky selection. This is usually caused by worn bushings that can be replaced fairly easily.The Sprinter has a reputation for oil leaks from the oil cooler as the odometer clocks up about 170,000km. Replacing the offending seals is the fix.Turbochargers can develop leaks in their plumbing, allowing boost pressure to escape. Poor running, lots of black exhaust smoke and high fuel consumption are symptoms, as is a hissing noise from under the bonnet. The plastic trunking is the culprit but is pretty easy to replace. This generation of Sprinter van has had its share of recalls, including common ones to attend to oil leaks, fuel leaks, wiring problems, software upgrades, sensors (for the ESP), seat-belt mounting bolts, park-brake problems and even a check to make sure vehicles were not fitted with a left-hand drive specification headlight that could dazzle oncoming drivers.But some other recalls affected very small numbers of vans, thanks to the huge range of shapes, sizes and layouts the Sprinter was available in. Those included a check on 21 examples for faulty paint, and another batch of 11 Sprinters to check whether some spot welds had been missed at the factory.Perhaps the one you really don’t want to miss these days was a recall for early-built Sprinters which may have had an engine problem that could cause the pistons to fail. Software upgrades were involved in the fix, but it would be worth checking to make sure this was done.You can find out more about any of these recalls by visiting https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/ The trade generally regards the 2010 to 2013 Sprinters as the ones to avoid on the basis of changes of the vehicle’s emissions system. This era of Sprinter often used an additive (AdBlue) and the system was not without its problems including a propensity to send the car into limp-home mode.Beyond that, the later the build date the better quality and reliability seemed to get. Although European fleet operators don’t always travel as many kilometres per year as many Australian fleets, the Mercedes vans were designed for a long service life. Plenty have covered 300,000km or even 400,000km with no major problems, so a high-mileage Sprinter shouldn’t necessarily be overlooked, provided it’s been serviced properly.Most Sprinters sold here were built in one of Mercedes’ German factories, so build quality is pretty good, it seems. The turbo-diesel engine is a no-brainer for a vehicle like this, and a Sprinter with an automatic transmission will be much nicer to live with in the city and suburbs. From there, your decision should be based on what you’re actually going to lug around with the vehicleThe vans with sliding doors are popular and represent the most practical buy for many users. But make sure the one you buy has the load rating you need to stay legal on the road.And don’t rule out the Volkswagen Crafter of this era which was a Sprinter underneath. Previous and subsequent VW vans were all VW’s work, but this vintage Crafter was a rebadged Sprinter and might even be a bit cheaper to buy if you can find one. Prices for useable Sprinters with some life left in them start at around the $10,000 mark or maybe a little less. There are cheaper ones to be found, but they’re a fair chance to be on their last legs as only a well-used commercial vehicle can be.Modifications such as refrigerated bodies, wheelchair-accessible fit-outs and camping conversions all add value to a used Sprinter compared with a standard one. But make sure any modifications have been done properly and cleared by an engineer so that the resulting vehicle is legal to drive on the road and insurable. Because the Sprinter was an international model, there are literally hundreds of online sellers who will have the parts you need. You can source many parts locally, but be aware that Mercedes dealership prices on some items will be higher than independent specialists.The same goes for servicing and while there are plenty of M-B dealerships across Australia, equally there are plenty of independent workshops that specialise in this brand and have, on balance, a more palatable hourly labour rate. Mercedes sold plenty of this generation Sprinter, particularly since it was on sale for about 12 years (a pretty good innings even by commercial-vehicle standards). In 2019, for instance, Mercedes retailed almost 3500 Sprinters across all body styles and specifications, so there are plenty still out there now.The fact that the Sprinter has outlived a lot of its competition from back in the day, also makes them more visible when shopping for a second-hand example.

Close to 60,000 Mercedes-Benz cars sold new in Australia between 2018 and 2026 are the subject of a safety recall relating to a potential door lock failure that may result in unintended vehicle movement. The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 58,822 Mercedes-Benz vehicles across a wide range of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models.It confirms examples of the A-Class, CLA, B-Class, C-Class, EQA, GLA, GLB and GLC  have been impacted and said, “Due to a manufacturing defect, the door-lock microswitch may be susceptible to water damage and could fail.“If this occurs, the door may not be detected as open, preventing the auto park feature from operating as intended,” the notice said. The department added, “A loss of (the) auto park feature may result in unintended vehicle movement. “This increases the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.”Multiple grades of the nominated models are included, and the department says drivers should always engage the Park position on the gear selector and apply the parking brake, as described in the Owner’s Manual, prior to leaving the vehicle.Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by Mercedes-Benz in writing asking them to schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised dealer for the free of charge repair when parts become available.Alternatively, the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centre can be contacted on 1300 762 718 or via cs.aus@cac.mercedes-benz.com.

Mercedes-Benz is officially walking back from its high-performance AMG four-cylinder models as it discontinues two key models.The Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and GLC63 S E Performance are being discontinued in Australia in favour of the new six-cylinder powered AMG GLC53.“At this stage, we don't have any further updates to share regarding future shipments of the model,” said a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson.They also confirmed a “limited number” of AMG GLC63 S E Performance examples are still available in Australia. However, neither the GLC43 or GLC63 S E Performance can be selected using the carmaker’s stock locator on its website.Both the current-generation Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and GLC63 S E Performance launched locally in 2024 and saw a major change in the engine department.In previous-generation guise the AMG GLC43 had a six-cylinder engine, whereas the AMG GLC63 had a V8 engine. Both now have a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s shared with the AMG A45, among others.The AMG GLC43 is a 48V mild-hybrid with an electric turbocharger, while the AMG GLC63 S E Performance is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that’s augmented with an electric motor and has monstrous total system outputs of 500kW and 1020Nm.Ever since both electrified four-cylinder AMG GLCs launched locally, the reception has been lacklustre and feedback has been harsh. As a result Mercedes-AMG has corrected its trajectory to better mirror what Audi and BMW are doing.The new GLC53 has a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system for total system outputs of 330kW and 600Nm.At this stage the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 S E Performance are the only electrified four-cylinder-powered AMG models to be discontinued locally.A report from German publication Elektroauto-News from November indicated production of the aforementioned AMG GLC models, as well as the related AMG C43 and C63 S E Performance ended around May 2026.At this stage both the AMG C43 and C63 S E Performance remain on the Mercedes-Benz Australia website. It’s worth noting the German carmaker hasn’t globally revealed an inline-six-cylinder-powered C53 yet, if that’s in the plans.Other AMG models that are set for discontinuation, according to the Elektroauto-News report, include the GLA35. Mercedes-Benz recently revealed the new-generation GLA and the range-topping AMG version may become electric, like the related AMG CLA45.Regardless of the report, it’s clear Mercedes-Benz is moving away from its electrified four-cylinder engines. The German brand is currently testing a flagship version of the CLE coupe which is understood to have twin-turbo V8 power.In addition to the inline-six-cylinder-powered AMG GLC53, the current-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC continues to be offered in a number of core trim levels. These include the GLC200 and GLC300 which both feature turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines.The GLC350e PHEV launched locally in 2025 and it similarly features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but has an electric motor for total system outputs of 230kW and 550Nm.It also features a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows for up to 104km of NEDC-claimed electric range.In addition to the combustion-powered GLC models, Mercedes-Benz is soon set to introduce an electric version of the GLC that’s based on a separate platform called MB.EA.So far a single GLC400 with a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain has been detailed, however it’s expected a high-performance AMG model, as well as lesser trims will come in the future.

Despite an already huge year for new model launches, there are still some key mid-size SUVs slated for Australia in the tail end of 2026 which might be worth waiting for.So far this year, new-generation versions of top-selling mid-size SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 have arrived, among a swathe of new contenders from challenger brands.If you’re not a huge fan of what’s currently on the market though, there may be something coming that better suits your lifestyle, budget or tastes.Here is a rundown of the five best mid-size SUVs that are still to come. They’re in alphabetical order and span both the mainstream and premium mid-size SUV segments.The current GWM Haval H7 has flown under the radar since it launched in 2025 and the Chinese carmaker is planning to hit reset with a new-generation model.GWM has confirmed it will launch the new Haval H7 in the second half of 2026 and it will feature hybrid and all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power.Front and rear differential locks are also confirmed for the flagship variants, which is a major upgrade to the off-road capabilities compared to the current front-wheel drive hybrid model.Overall there’s a tougher and boxier look that’s more in keeping with the Tank models.Mazda is finally launching a rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X in Australia.The CX-6e is the brand’s first electric mid-size SUV and it quickly follows on the heels of the Mazda 6e electric liftback launching locally.Both vehicles have been co-developed with Changan and are built in China. The CX-6e in particular is built on the same platform as the Deepal S07, which is already offered in Australia.Locally the CX-6e will only be offered with a battery electric (BEV) powertrain, however in other markets a range-extender (REEV) hybrid is available.Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a new-generation version of the GLB SUV in Australia. Final details haven’t been locked in yet.Globally the new GLB is offered with both mild-hybrid and BEV powertrains, like the new GLA and CLA it shares componentry with.This new GLB is larger in every dimension and notably features a 60mm longer wheelbase. It’s available with both five- and seven-seat configurations.Another highlight is the ‘MBUX Superscreen’ which comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as dual 14.0-inch touchscreens for the central multimedia system and front passenger display.Skoda launched the regular Elroq electric SUV in 2025, but later in 2026 it’s readying the hotter RS version.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with total system outputs of 250kW and 545Nm. This is enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds.The electric motors are fed by an 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack which allows for up to 550km of claimed range, according to WLTP testing.The Elroq is essentially a shortened version of the Enyaq electric mid-size SUV. It is already offered in RS form locally with both the typical SUV and ‘coupe’ SUV body styles.Volvo fans have been waiting for an electric counterpart to the top-selling XC60 mid-size SUV for years now and later in 2026 it’ll arrive in Australia.The Volvo EX60 is based on a new platform called SPA3 and it has an 800V electrical architecture.In Australia two versions of the EX60 will be offered initially, the Ultra P6 RWD and Ultra P10 AWD. They’re priced from $86,990 and $101,990, before on-road costs, respectively.It’s understood that the range-topping P12 AWD trim, as well as a more affordable, entry-level grade will arrive in 2027.

We’re more than halfway through 2026 and I can definitively say that this year's new cars are the ugliest to date.Sure you can argue the plastic fantastic cars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, or the asthmatic land yachts from the mid-to-late 1970s looked the worst, but so far this year what carmakers have been revealing is an assault to the eyes.Suspect number one is the Ferrari Luce.The Italian carmaker’s recent car design has been rather indistinguishable from model to model. For example, if you told me to tell you the difference between a 849 Testarossa and 12Cilindri and Amalfi, I’d really struggle. I say this as a die-hard car fan.But the Luce marked a jagged change in direction for Ferrari. It was designed by creative collection LoveFrom, which was founded by former Apple exec Sir Jony Ive.I’ll admit the interior of the Luce is stunning and the blending of digital and analogue elements is ingenious, but the exterior is a bloated mess. It’s made even worse with the fact it has a Ferrari badge on it.The Luce would make so much more sense with any other badge attached to it.This is just the tip of the iceberg. Five days before the Luce was revealed, Mercedes-AMG revealed its all-new AMG GT 4-Door.Mercedes did receive some negative press regarding the AMG GT 4-Door’s design, it was arguably saved by the reveal of the Luce as the news cycle and people’s attention shifted very quickly.Its design deserved to be roasted more. Like the Luce, the new AMG GT 4-Door is all-electric and it looks just as horrific. The Mercedes is much more flashy and tacky, though.I’ll admit that the overall silhouette is slick and low-sprung, like a performance car should, but the front grille and lighting signatures are a hot mess.Then inside, if you take the Mercedes-Benz badge away, the AMG GT 4-Door doesn't have anything distinguishing it specifically as a Mercedes model.Sure you could argue that the circular air vents or the screen set-up is a Mercedes design trait, but there is more to design language than this.Lastly there’s the new Nissan Juke, which is all-electric and a European-focused model, meaning it’s not coming to Australia.The Juke has always had a polarising design, but this new-generation takes it to the next level.There are so many creases and lines on the outside that it looks like the car has been pre-crashed or perhaps hasn’t fully rendered yet.I will admit that with certain colour combinations the new Juke does look cool, but the lighting, especially the tail lights look silly. They’re mounted so low and are too large.While the new Juke stands out too much, there are a plethora of gargantuan Chinese SUVs with range-extender (REEV) powertrains that are indistinguishable from each other. They’re all large blobs on wheels with ginormous grilles.Examples that have been revealed so far in 2026 include the IM LS9 Hyper, Wey V9X, XPeng GX and the Zeekr 8X. Many more will likely pop up before the end of the year.Although there have been some shockingly bad-looking cars revealed this year, there are still some diamonds in the rough. 2026 also seems to be the revival of the wagon.Some highlights include the new Audi RS5, which is available in liftback and wagon, as well as the new A6 allroad, which has some of the best and most exaggerated rear wheel arches that I’ve seen on a production car for a long time.The new Dacia Striker is a beautiful-looking car that has just the right amount of wagon and crossover SUV design elements. It’s segment-busting in the same way as the Peugeot 408 and previous-generation Subaru Outback are.It’s worth noting once again that 2026 is only halfway through and there is still another six months to go. There’s still time to turn things around in terms of new car design, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

In a world of monstrously big SUVs and terrifyingly giant utes, there still exists the super large saloons for those who prefer to maintain a powerful presence with class and sophistication. We're talking limos - not the party kind - we mean the luxurious transport for business executives or those who prefer to be driven rather than drive.We've put together the top 5 largest cars currently sold in AustraliaLength: 5139mm Width: 2241mm Height: 1464mmA Lotus was not on my list of possible big-car candidates, but here we are with the fully electric 5139mm long Emeya four-door lift back. The Emeya is the first of its kind from a brand that forged its iconic reputation by building tiny sportscars in a shed. Things have changed and Lotus is now owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely, and the Emeya is built in China. While not the longest car here, the Emeya is actually the widest with its wing mirrors out. Despite its enormous exterior dimensions the Emeya isn’t particularly voluminous on the inside, but there are four seats and a 509-litre boot. Dual motors make 450kW and 710Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The starting price is $190K.Length: 5139mm Width: 1900mm Height: 1450mmSecretly loving that a Toyota, sorry Lexus, quietly slipped into this top 5 elite party. At 5235mm end-to-end the LS isn’t small, and nor is it short on luxury.Lexus positions itself as a Benz or BMW on a budget, but with a starting price of $200,000 the LS isn’t all that cheap. The value is outstanding, however, compared to the others here, and while rolling up in a Lexus to meet business executives at the airport doesn’t have the same impact as a BMW 7 Series, but as a car girl, I honestly think the LS is more opulent.Powered by a V6 hybrid the LS is without a doubt the most reliable and cheapest to maintain limo here.Length: 5391mm Width: 1950mm Height: 1544mmBMW’s 7 Series is seriously imposing, a cliff face on wheels, with its gigantic grille and its sheer vertical drop, but it’s not just all front - this beast is 5.39m end to end. As a reference the Australian design rules state a car park space must be 5.4m long and 2.4m wide. So it’ll fit… just.   Updated for 2026/27 with BMW’s next-gen Neue Klasse design the 7 Series looks even more menacing and futuristic, while the interior is sporty and hi-tech with screens everywhere. As for powertrains you can burn fossil fuel with a 3.0-litre inline 294kW/580Nm six-cylinder engine on offer but the electric i7’s enormously powerful and torquey motors (making up to 400kW and 745Nm) and seamlessly brutal ability to get out of its own way suits the big BMW limo better.  The 7 Series starts at a list price of $272,900.Length: 5469mm  Width: 2109mm  Height: 1510mmThe Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a super luxury version of the S-Class and it’s even longer than one too. A regular S-Class long wheelbase is 5289mm end to end while the Maybach version stretched 180mm at 5469mm in length.While more or less the same car as the S-Class the Maybach offers more legroom, more decadence and more engine - with a V12 offered on the higher grades.The Maybach is also more expensive - almost double the price of an S-Class LWB at about $630,000Length: 5982mm, width: 2154mm Height: 1656mmOf course the biggest car sold in Australia is a Rolls-Royce and it’s not just the Phantom Extended, it’s also the Ghost Extended at 5715mm and the Spectre Series II at 5453mm. But if we had included them, then the top 5 biggest cars would have all been Rollers.So we’ve gone for the largest Rolls-Royce car, the Phantom Extended, which at 5982mm is more a train than a car and 220mm longer than the standard wheelbase Phantom.While there are only four seats in a Phantom Extended they are the size of lounge chairs in a sumptuous hotel lobby and legroom is, well you can literally lie down back there because the seats become beds.In Australia the Phantom Extended starts at more than $1.1m but as with most Rolls-Royce’s the customers will want to personalise it with bespoke touches taking the final price much higher. 

Mercedes-Benz has priced its latest ultra-luxury V8-powered ride in Australia. The brand’s new S-Class sedan starts from $264,200 (before on-road costs) for S450, and the top-spec V8-powered S580 L priced from $353,900. The S-Class is $110,000 less than the Maybach SL680 convertible coupe ($463,900) announced by Mercedes-Benz earlier this year. It costs nearly $13,000 more than before to get into an S-Class than before, with the V8-powered model increasing more than $10,000.It still comes in cheaper than the BMW 7-series, starting from $277,900 that was also recently subject to a $5000 price increase. Here’s what is different for the new S-Class.Both the inline 3.0-litre six-cylinder and twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engines have received boosts to output. The six-cylinder S450 now produces up to 280kW and 600Nm, compared to 270kW/560Nm, while the V8 makes 395kW and 750Nm, up from 370kW/700Nm.The S580L can now accelerate from 0-100km/h in four seconds, with the S450 taking 4.9 seconds. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The S-Class has undergone a significant redesign on the outside to give an enhanced road presence. There is a larger illuminated front grille, and extra bright headlights that can shine up to 600 metres in front of the car. The brand has further tweaked the rear light design so it shows off three triangular clusters.  Mercedes-Benz has made AMG styling standard across the S-Class range, featuring gloss block exterior accents and chrome highlights. It will ride on new 20-inch grey cross spoke alloy wheels.Changes continue inside the cabin, with a rim protection warning designed to prevent drivers from curbing the car’s wheels.The new S-Class offers heated front seat belts as an optional extra for additional comfort, found in the Comfort Plug Package priced at $13,900. This package also introduces massaging rear seats, and a system allowing the front passenger seat to be moved forward to create more rear legroom. There is a multimedia system boasting a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display, along with an optional front passenger display.

This year has thrown up two unforeseen events: the mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) and the return of the sedan.Perfect timing, then, for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric.But, can the world’s oldest car company run with hip young things like the Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4?And is this the Mercedes of compact EV sedans?The price leap going electric in this third-gen CLA four-door coupe is another surprise.Starting from $72,200 (all prices are before on-road costs), the CLA200 electric’s premium is a reasonable $5700 over the entry-level CLA180 petrol-electric hybrid version, and just $4000 more than the CLA200 hybrid equivalent.Now, most essentials are standard, with the following being standouts:a 14-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch driver display combo dubbed MBUX Superscreena fixed glass roofa heat pump for efficiency enhancing climate controlGoogle Maps with AI virtual assistant including car-to-X traffic communication for driving hazards alertsa 360-degree camera with parking assistartificial leather and suede-clad heated/powered front AMG sports seats with memory settingsAMG 18-inch alloys and body kitThen there’s the CLA350 4Matic Electric from $91,300, adding an electric motor up front for all-wheel drive, an 85kWh – rather than 58kWh – battery for longer range, faster charging and 19-inch wheels.But we recommend the Premium Package ($1800 in the CLA200/$2340 in the CLA350) for worthwhile kit like:head-up displayadaptive headlightskeyless entryan orchestral audio upgradea third, also 14-inch screen ahead of the front passengerSpeaking of which, compared to its Chinese-sourced Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rivals, the German CLA does cost more, but Mercedes has been making cars for 140 years, not 14 years, and there’s some very advanced EV engineering going on underneath that pretty body.Distinctively Mercedes, the Ford AU Falcon force is still strong with this CLA.But thanks to the Stuttgart brand’s box-fresh MMA electric-first 800-volt platform, it matures as well as grows in every dimension, including in height and wheelbase, while super-slippery, aero-enhancing details promise to boost efficiency.The CLA’s interior aesthetics are dominated by the MBUX Superscreen slab that, with the Premium Package, is lit like a Christmas tree fever dream.Yet, when switched off and blacked out, one onlooker reckoned the dash is reminiscent of a Holden LH Torana’s. Iconic Aussie influences abound!Luckily everything including ambient lighting is configurable.Getting in and out is tight – a reminder that the CLA is essentially a four-door coupe.Once inside, though, the front seat area is amply spacious, including for heads, and there’s a lot to like, including the logical and slick operation of Mercedes’ latest, AI-enhanced multimedia system.Brilliantly supportive seats, a superb driving position, beautifully crafted textures and abundant storage also make this CLA appealing. The cheapness of old is gone, though the plastics below knee level feel disappointingly hard and hollow.And while we’re whining, the loss of buttons for the touchscreen-sited climate system, no overhead grab handles, cost-cutting absence of rear window switches for the driver (what is this, a Skoda?), and missing glass roof blockout are fixes for the facelift.On the flip side, that vast ceiling sky vista makes an already roomier rear seat feel even airier, while most expected comfort amenities are present.Further back, the boot is OK, though smaller than before at 405 litres and there’s no spare wheel. Boo.There’s also a 101L frunk up front – a first for a Mercedes.That’s because the CLA electric’s MMA platform diverges from its front-drive/transverse ICE counterparts by being rear-wheel drive (RWD) biased.This means the main, 165kW/335Nm permanently excited synchronous traction motor is located out back, sending drive to the rear wheels via a two-speed e-transmission.In the CLA200, the 0-100km/h takes 7.5 seconds, while a second electric motor up front in the CLA350 4Matic makes for a combined 260kW/515Nm, slashing sprint time down to a rousing 4.9s.And the EV changes don’t stop there, either, making the electric versions drive unlike any CLA that have come before.With its strong and linear power delivery, both CLA electrics step off the line rapidly, and glide along smoothly with a newfound sophistication and control, aided by a new multi-link rear suspension set-up and stiff architecture that, incredibly, relies on passive – rather than the ICE variant’s available active – dampers.This results in a ride suppleness alien to older CLAs and other modern smaller Benzes.Better still, over the warm dry roads of the Queensland hinterland as tested, the CLA200e has evolved athletically, brandishing a RWD attitude that allows it to seek out curves with a handling joy we’d frankly never have anticipated in this series. Balanced, fluid and confident.The CLA350 4Matic feels even more agile, and is stirringly quick point-to-point if you’re up for some fun. Just lovely.Some drivers might ask for more steering weight at lower speeds, but otherwise the connected dynamics, isolating refinement and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) tech tuning are outstanding, and worth the three-pointed star premium alone.You can also thank the CLA’s aero prowess for providing impressive efficiency, with both electrics sitting underneath the already decent 14.4kWh/100km (CLA200) and 14.9kWh/100km (CLA350 4Matic) official consumption averages, dipping well below 13kWh at one stage, despite being driven enthusiastically over rural back roads.That MMA 800V ultra-fast charging capability is a bonus, as is the standard 22kW AC charging set-up.EuroNCAP have awarded the latest CLA range a five-star gong, with a similar ANCAP rating expected, too.Mercedes’ obsession with pushing safety tech is undeniable, with all ADAS autonomous emergency brake (AEB) and lane-support systems present. On the airbag front, a front centre item is fitted, taking that total to eight.However, Mercedes’ five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is nothing but average nowadays. Service intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km, and only pre-paid servicing in three-year ($2455), four-year ($3620) and five-year ($4295) blocks are available.

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA has been unwrapped ahead of its early 2027 debut, when the small premium SUV will rock up with a class-leading 657km range and some of Benz's latest EV tech.The all-new Mercedes GLA is no longer a higher-riding A-Class, but is now more closely related to the latest CLA small sedan, sharing its latest MMA platform and advanced EV tech.As well as being available with all-electric power, the compact SUV has also been engineered for mild-hybrid combustion engines that are set to arrive in the second half of next year.Both electric and mild-hybrid versions of the GLA have been built to rival the Audi Q3/Q4 and the BMW X1 that also lands later next year.Mercedes has equipped the battery-powered GLA with powerful 800-volt electrics for super-quick top-ups, with as much as 270km of range added in little more than 10 minutes thanks to fast-charging up to 320kW.AC charging is up to 11kW, with faster 22kW top-ups an option.A 10 to 80 per cent recharge takes between 20 to 22 minutes, ensuring the GLA should be among the quickest-charging small SUVs out there.In Europe, just three powertrains will initially be offered. The GLA 200 comes with a single motor that pumps out 165kW and 335Nm and features a 58kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a range of up to 447km.The mid-spec GLA 250+ remains rear-drive, but is combined with the larger 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery for the maximum 657km range, but delivers 200kW, while mustering the same amount of torque.At the top of the EV tree is the GLA 350 4Matic that picks out 260kW and 515Nm of torque for a brisk 0-100km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds, gains dual motors and all-wheel drive, and can still cover up to 643km on the same WLTP test cycle.Later on, a mid-spec 71kWh NMC battery will also join the line-up.It has not yet been revealed what variants of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder 48-volt mild-hybrid will be offered on the GLA, but the small sedan comes with versions offering 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm, with both front- and all-wheel drive available.Picking up where the recently launched GLB compact seven-seater left off, designers have tweaked the old car's slightly ungainly proportions to create a lower SUV (-20mm) with a longer wheelbase (+61mm) and wider rear track (+31mm), while the more muscular arches give the impression of a sportier car than before.Fresh aerodynamic wheels that range from 18- to 20-inches hint at the advanced air bending at work that has reduced drag to around 0.27Cd, while the black plastic cladding on the arches and underbody suggests some off-road prowess.Up front, like the latest C-Class Electric, there's a large dominant chrome-framed grille that is illuminated with 608 dots of lights.In some high-grade models, the grille frame features an LED light strip that is combined with a central star, which also glows.Those stars reappear within the headlamps, with the optional Multibeam LED lamps gaining star-shaped daytime running lights.Sportier AMG Line models ramp up the styling with a smoked chrome grille and a different front bumper that gets more aggressive air intakes and a lower splitter. There's the choice of gloss black AMG 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels.A further AMG Plus pack adds a spoiler and door sills, as well as different 20-inch alloy wheels that come finished in gloss black.Base spec models come with heated comfort seats wrapped in fabric and fake leather, while the AMG Line trim adds sports seats and steering wheel, plus shift paddles and brushed stainless-steel pedals.Thanks to a more generous 2790mm wheelbase (+61mm), the driver and front passenger have 7mm more legroom than before, with occupants in the second row getting an additional 38mm.Even though it's lower, the GLA gains 24mm extra headroom in the second row, while the boot is 70 litres bigger at 410 litres, with the EV versions boasting a generous 107 litre frunk up front.Mirroring bigger, more expensive Benz models, the panoramic roof can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button and can even be specified with up to 172 illuminated stars.As well as more space, the overall impression of the GLA is just how much big car tech has been squeezed into the brand's entry SUV.Like the CLA sedan, the GLA comes with the optional MBUX Superscreen, which spans the entire width of the dash, blending a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch infotainment system and 14-inch passenger display all placed behind a single piece of glass.Running the car-maker's latest software, highlights include a virtual assistant that has been enhanced by ChatGPT, Bing and Gemini that combined are said to provide a natural, intuitive conversation that can even help you remember a song title or artist, even if you can't.Front passengers can also use their own screen to stream YouTube or watch movies, while a powerful 16-speaker Burmester 3D 850-watt premium sound system can focus the sound to individual passengers, creating a quiet zone for the driver.More fresh tech includes a new Terrain mode for the all-wheel drive 4Matic versions that boosts traction on dirt, sand and mud, plus an optional transparent bonnet that provides a camera view of any obstacles that lurk beneath or ahead of the driver.With the GLA equipped with up to eight cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, plus a powerful supercomputer, the GLA can auto-steer, lane-keep, brake, accelerate and even change lanes by itself on the move, following a simple tap on the indicator stalk.Auto-parking is a highlight, with tech that even helps prevent nasty kerb strikes while slowly manoeuvring.On sale in Europe from this November, with the mild-hybrids joining the line-up in early 2027, it's thought the Mercedes-Benz GLA will land in Australia from early next year, when the most affordable EV version is expected to be priced from around $70,000 plus on-roads.

Mercedes-Benz has given the first glimpse of the upcoming G-Class Cabriolet with its roof folded down, hinting the convertible luxury off-roader’s arrival is imminent.In December last year Mercedes-Benz announced that it would be bringing its G-Class Cabriolet back after the previous version had been discontinued in 2013. The images that were released officially at the time were of a camouflage Cabriolet model with the folding roof in place. Now Mercedes-Benz has released a series of teasers on its social media accounts showing the G-Class Cabriolet folding down its roof automatically.Although nothing is really left to the imagination Mercedes-Benz has persisted with using camouflage around the rear of the G-Class Cabriolet.It is clear the roof folds automatically and quickly, although not quite as compactly as some might have hoped. Rather than storing itself away neatly behind the rear seats, the folded roof sits as high as the top of the spare wheel cover mounted on the tailgate.Mercedes-Benz has not announced when the G-Class Cabriolet will make its global debut, but it is expected to arrive before the end of this year.CarsGuide has reached out to Mercedes-Benz’s local arm asking for confirmation of the Cabriolet’s arrival and the launch timing Down Under, but the company is yet to respond.The signs are positive for an Australian arrival with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius saying at the 2025 Munich motor show that the new Cabriolet will be “sold in almost every market around the world”.Details are scarce, but the model in the teaser video appears to be the top-of-the-range twin-turbo V8-powered G63. Buyers of a Cabriolet version can expect to pay a premium over the current hard-top G63, which starts at $368,400 (before on-road costs). The cabriolet body style may only be available in the range-topping G63 specification and if it does come to Australia it will join the line-up, which starts with the diesel powered G 450d before stepping up to the fully electric G 580.Mercedes-Benz introduced a Cabriolet version of its short wheelbase two-door G-Class in 1979 with production running until 2013.  Mercedes-Benz says the reason for the two-door Cabriolet G-Class’s axing was due to low demand and increasing safety requirements.A four-door version was continued to be made but only available in the exotic Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet specification. This was also discontinued in 2018.