A Mercedes-Benz CLA long-term test report highlights the Shooting Brake model as a superior choice over the saloon variant. The reviewer notes its improved rear visibility, practicality, and boot space, which offers 50 litres extra compared to the saloon.
The switch was prompted by a bumper scuff and diffuser crack that the car’s collision-alert app failed to register, leaving the reviewer eager for a fresher body.
Shooting Brake’s Practical Edge
The Shooting Brake stands out for its 455-litre cargo capacity, expanding to 1,290 litres with seats folded. This extra space proved useful for transporting items like a dog and a broken fridge-freezer, tasks the saloon couldn’t handle.
Because the drivetrain components sit entirely beneath the floor, the cargo area remains flat and the numerous lashing points let owners secure bulky items without improvisation.
While the rear seats remain cramped due to the CLA’s large battery, the Shooting Brake provides a better sense of space. It also features a rear wiper, a practical addition for wet weather driving.
The more vertical rear glass not only clears the sightline but, paired with the dedicated rear-wipe, proves indispensable on the spray-laden motorways that dominate the British autumn and winter.
Performance and Efficiency Trade-offs
The reviewer tested the CLA 350 Shooting Brake with twin motors and four-wheel drive, offering 349bhp. However, this powertrain sacrifices efficiency, achieving 3.7 miles per kWh compared to the 4.3 miles per kWh of the less powerful 250+ model.
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Those twin-motor, all-wheel-drive units push the car into hot-hatch territory, yet the trade-off is a modest reduction of roughly twenty miles in the official range claim.
Despite the CLA 350’s higher performance, the reviewer recommends the 250+ for its better range and efficiency, especially considering the CLA’s weight limits acceleration.
Cost and Range Considerations
The Shooting Brake carries a £2,000 premium over the saloon, but the monthly payment difference is minimal. The CLA 350 is an additional £4,000, which the reviewer deems unnecessary given the minor performance gain.
Even with the higher upfront price tag, the financing calculators show that the monthly instalment barely shifts, while the modest aerodynamic penalty of the raised rear door trims the claimed distance only slightly.
The Shooting Brake’s range is slightly affected by its taller tailgate, but it remains the longest-range electric wagon in the UK, with the big-battery version offering up to 460 miles.
The version equipped with the larger pack still leads the segment at up to 460 miles, while the smaller-battery model is rated for 318 miles on a single charge.
