​​CLA 250+ Earns Place in 2026 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX Winners List​

Tesla made it seem like electric vehicles must have a minimalistic dashboard as ergonomically possible, as many other automakers seemed to follow suit. But drivers soon found limitations in the one-screen-does-all dash philosophy, and many decided they still preferred having information directly in line-of-sight, and physical controls for simple functions immediately available. Who would have ever thought? Well, at least Mercedes-Benz did. Its designers and engineers saw little reason that, despite adopting advanced electrified powertrain technologies, a car should completely discard the driving interface that has been iterated for over a century. of them and having physical controls for simple functions. WardsAuto took notice, and Mercedes-Benz of Plano is proud to announce that the brand’s most affordable EV, the CLA 250+ Electric, was named by WardsAuto editors as having one of the 10 Best Interiors & UX systems for 2026. 

WardsAuto does not award prizes for entire vehicles but focuses on drivetrains as well as interior and user experience systems, making 10 Best lists for each. Editors evaluate interiors across multiple categories, including design and aesthetics, comfort, materials, fit and finish, connectivity and infotainment, displays and controls, advanced driver-assistance systems, and overall value. 

 Early in their description, editors point out the CLA 250+ Electric’s contrast from minimalism found in rivals by describing the dash as “going full-blown hedonistic luxury with huge interior pillar-to-pillar screens, bright contrasting colors, and a multitude of tech features.” 

WardsAuto certainly noticed the screen arrangement that combines a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, 14-inch center touchscreen, and an available 14-inch display for the front passenger, all behind a single glass surface.  

Editors also cited the execution of the 64-color ambient lighting, other interior lighting, and the programmable welcome sound the interior can make upon entry, which is unique in the industry. As one judge pointed out, the CLA starts impressing before you enter the car. “Wow, the CLA had me on the approach,” said WardsAuto judge Dave Zoia. “Clever accent lighting shines through the grille like twinkling stars, puddle lamps light the way to the door, and spacey sound effects accompany you along the way. The cabin’s striking color scheme mixes white, black and red, and combines with an illuminated sill plate, white birch-like trim and pillar-to-pillar screens that absolutely pop.” 

Considering charging as part of the user experience (UX), WardsAuto was also impressed by the CLA 250 + Electric, which has both a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port compatible with the Tesla Supercharger system on one side and a CCS port on the other, allowing for connection at other public charging stations and Level 2 home chargers. No fooling with adapters needed with this Mercedes. 

The CLA 250+ Electric has all the expected safety and driver assistance technologies you expect, plus at least one you probably don’t.  They were surprised when the car warned them of an upcoming pothole.  Its Car-to-X communication system will register a sudden bump from a pothole or speed bump, note its exact location, and send the information to the cloud to warn other cars with the same system. Apparently, another vehicle with the system hit that pothole first, warning WardAuto testers who drove around it. The system can also warn of broken-down vehicles, active accident sites, heavy rain, fog, or slippery conditions. 

After referencing other EV interiors, WardsAuto judge Gary Vasilash summed up the CLA 250+ Electric this way: “The interior of the CLA is something that tells you you’re driving a car that is of-the-moment. You are in command, not confused by having to search for things like the adjustment control for the vents. It brings the Mercedes sense of elegance and purpose with the 21st-century expectation of technology.” 

It’s clear Mercedes-Benz strives for excellence in its EV lineup as much as in its gasoline-powered models, and it has ensured that its most affordable EV doesn’t look like it, inside or out. Experience the Mercedes-Benz approach to EVs at Mercedes-Benz of Plano. Unless, of course, you really like spartan, minimalist interiors.