Photo: uamotors
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been named European Car of the Year. The award was decided by a jury of 59 automotive journalists from 23 countries. The other finalists included the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV4, Citroën C5 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, Dacia Bigster, and Renault 4.
This marks the second time Mercedes-Benz has won the prestigious title. The first victory came 52 years ago, in 1974, when the 450 SE/SEL was crowned Car of the Year. The new CLA symbolizes the brand’s return to the top of Europe’s automotive rankings, reinforcing its position in the modern passenger car segment.
Built on the new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform, the CLA accommodates both internal combustion engines and electric variants. Compared to its predecessor, the CLA’s wheelbase has grown by 61 mm to 2,790 mm, while overall dimensions have increased to 4,723 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, and 1,468 mm high, making the car noticeably more spacious.
