Electric CLA shows strengths and weaknesses in Norway
Ronja SchmiedchenRonjaSchmiedchen
4 min
The new E-CLA demonstrates on mountain roads how range, assistance systems, and driving comfort prove themselves in interaction.Ronja Schmiedchen
Few countries are as committed to electromobility as Norway. It is here that the new electric Mercedes-Benz CLA faces its trial - on winding roads, in clear air, and with views of fjords and mountains.
Norway welcomes you with a special light. Clear fjords, steep rock faces, dense forests, and above them the barren peaks, where the first snowfields already lie. Those travelling here feel the peace and vastness of the landscape, and this is the ideal setting to try out a car like the new electric Mercedes-Benz CLA. Two days on Norwegian country roads, through small villages with colourful wooden houses, across wide plateaus and past flocks of sheep that stand right in the middle of the road: the CLA proves to be a companion that combines technology, comfort, and a good piece of future vision.
The interior of the CLA immediately feels familiar yet modernised. High-quality leather surfaces, contrasting trim areas, AMG mats, and the neatly integrated speakers convey the premium claim known from the series. The feel is also right. The steering wheel and controls fit well in the hand, the seats are comfortable and provide sufficient support even after hours on the country road. The panoramic glass roof brings the Norwegian mountain world directly into the car and makes the journey a visual experience.
Central display and navigation system combine operation, route guidance, and vehicle data.Ronja Schmiedchen
Operating logic in transition
The large central display dominates the interior and bundles almost all functions. From air conditioning to navigation and entertainment, everything is digitised. An aspect that has long been standard in the industry but also raises criticism: classic buttons for volume or air conditioning are missing, instead there are touch sliders. They look futuristic but are less intuitive than a rotary control.
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On the narrow country roads, the smoothness is immediately noticeable. The CLA drives almost silently, even on rougher asphalt the noise level remains pleasantly muted. Despite the quiet drive, the power is always noticeable. Even though in Norway a speed of 80 is the rule and violations can be expensive, you quickly notice the potential of the drive. The driving experience is smooth and comfortable, but not sluggish - more like a quiet invitation to press the pedal, which you have to suppress due to the speed limits.
The space available contributes to the sense of well-being. You sit comfortably at the front with a good view, and there is enough room at the back even on longer stages. The boot is generously sized, making the CLA practical for longer journeys or trips.
Range, architecture & assistance systems in practical test
Technically, the electric CLA is positioned to usher in the next generation of compact electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz states an official range of up to 750 kilometres (WLTP). On the test drive, it was shown that the display in the cockpit provides realistic values, enabling reliable planning. For a vehicle in this class, this is a clear signal of where the compact class is heading: towards longer stages without constant recharging. The CLA is based on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) and uses 800-volt technology, which promises efficiency, especially when fast charging.
A highlight in the test was the automatic parking. The CLA manoeuvres itself backwards into parking spaces and out again - precise, reliable, and so confident that you quickly get used to the support. This feature is less of a gimmick and more of a functional advancement that noticeably eases everyday life. It is different with the augmented reality display in the head-up display. Intended as a navigation aid, it superimposes camera images with directional arrows in certain situations - such as at roundabouts or when turning. What is well-intentioned proves to be irritating for the driver, as it distracts attention from the road. The function is probably more suitable for an attentive passenger who can assist with navigation using the AR display. Lane assist, speed control, and traffic sign recognition work unobtrusively but reliably.
The infotainment architecture shows how much the vehicle relies on digital services. The integration of Google Maps data into the navigation builds trust, as the route guidance is more detailed and up-to-date than in previous system versions. The interface to Microsoft Teams is also designed with practicality in mind: those who use the car as a mobile office have a clear advantage here. Less convincing is the operating logic for basic functions. Controlling air conditioning or volume almost exclusively via the display or sliders seems cumbersome and leads to the gaze shifting from the road. Especially in an environment like Norway, where country roads are narrow and winding and sheep or reindeer can suddenly be on the road, you wish for more tactile directness. The ambient light function, which can be individually adjusted in colour, remains more of a gimmick - but one that enhances the interior atmosphere.
Connectivity was a double-edged experience: in Oslo, the data connection worked smoothly, and navigation was stable. However, two to three hours outside the capital, the connection repeatedly dropped. At times, the route guidance had to be restarted. For a digitally centred product like a modern car, this is more than just a comfort issue. It shows that the infrastructure, even in highly developed markets like Norway, is not keeping pace everywhere.
The drive became particularly impressive as the road wound over the plateau, past scattered cabins and with views of the snow-covered peaks. Through the panoramic roof, the sky opened up while the sun was low, casting the landscape in a clear, almost surreal light. A few kilometres later, a small herd of sheep blocked the road, reminding us that high-tech in cars must always work in harmony with the reality of the surroundings. Such moments make it clear how strong the connection between technology and landscape is. A highly developed vehicle like the CLA unfolds its potential not in the lab but on roads that can push every digital solution to its limits - whether due to lack of network coverage or unforeseen situations.
Overall, the electric Mercedes-Benz CLA demonstrates what the compact class can look like in the e-era: longer ranges, new assistance functions, deeply integrated digital services. At the same time, the test drive in Norway makes it clear that technical progress alone is not enough. Connectivity remains an Achilles' heel, and some operating logic strays too far from the intuitive user experience. For the automotive and IT industry, the CLA is an example of the transformation process of the entire industry: vehicles are becoming digital platforms that want to be seamlessly connected with external services. This shifts the challenge from pure hardware development to questions of usability, infrastructure, and data integration.
