New electric car buyers often focus on one big number: how far the vehicle can go on a single charge. The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA meets this expectation, with the rear-wheel-drive base model CLA 250+ boasting an EPA-estimated range of 602 kilometers. However, the German automaker wants buyers to know that another number is equally important: the car’s perfect score in the latest European safety tests.
Safety Matters as Much as Range
Mercedes-Benz first unveiled this new EV last March, and the first European customers received their keys in July of this year. Even if early buyers didn’t have an official safety rating when ordering, they no longer need to worry.
The independent European safety organization Euro NCAP put the electric sedan through rigorous crash tests and awarded the CLA EQ the highest overall rating of five stars. More importantly, the car achieved the highest scores among its competitors in all four main test categories, even surpassing the results of the new Porsche Cayenne EV.
The CLA 250+ EQ has proven its superior safety performance in all areas:
- Adult Occupant Protection: Scoring 94%, it demonstrates the excellent crash protection offered by the vehicle’s structure and safety systems.
- Child Occupant Protection: Achieved an impressive score of 89%. A smart detail, such as the vehicle’s ability to detect a child seat and automatically deactivate the necessary airbags, was also noteworthy.
- Precision Road User Protection (Pedestrians and Cyclists): With an outstanding score of 93%, it proved the excellent performance of the automatic emergency braking system. With this result, the new Mercedes shares the top spot in this area with the respected Mazda CX-5, which also scored 93%.
- Safety Assistance Systems: In this category, which includes technologies that help drivers prevent accidents, the CLA scored 85%.
The new CLA stands out as one of the most exciting electric cars from a traditional manufacturer. Part of Mercedes-Benz’s new EV wave, this model proves that range, efficiency, and technology can come together in a highly secure package.
