Australia's First Mercedes Wagon in Five Years
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the CLA Shooting Brake wagon version of its new compact CLA will arrive in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026. That is October to December this year. It will be offered in both hybrid and fully electric form, matching the powertrain lineup already available in the CLA sedan.
The last time Mercedes-Benz sold a wagon in Australia was five years ago. The original CLA Shooting Brake was dropped in 2019, and no replacement arrived in the interim. That is a long gap in the range for buyers who prefer a low roofline and estate-style practicality over a conventional SUV body.
What the CLA Shooting Brake Actually Is
The new CLA Shooting Brake is based on the same architecture as the recently launched CLA sedan. Both use Mercedes-Benz's new MMA platform, designed from the outset to support electrified powertrains efficiently.
The wagon is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. The boot comes in at 455 litres, which is 30 litres less than the outgoing model, and the floor sits 15mm higher. The electric variant adds 101 litres of additional storage under the bonnet for buyers who want front-trunk access.
In Europe, the fully electric variant is offered in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with outputs of 213kW and 260kW respectively. The range on the 85kWh battery is rated at up to 755km in RWD configuration and 726km in AWD, both on the WLTP cycle. DC fast charging is rated at up to 320kW, which is among the fastest available on any production car in this class.
The hybrid variant uses the same mild-parallel setup available in the CLA sedan. Mercedes-Benz has not confirmed a plug-in hybrid CLA for Australia, though it has not ruled it out either.
Pricing Expectations for Australia
In the United Kingdom, the CLA Shooting Brake starts at approximately GBP 50,000, converting to roughly $94,000 AUD. That is a guide price rather than a firm Australian figure, but it indicates the relative positioning of the wagon compared to the sedan.
The CLA sedan itself is priced from $66,500 to $84,300 as a hybrid and from $72,200 to $91,300 as an EV, all excluding on-road costs. Mercedes-Benz Australia's product manager confirmed the Shooting Brake will command "a premium of a few thousand dollars" over the comparable sedan variant.
That means hybrid Shooting Brake pricing should start in the high $60,000s, and EV pricing in the low $70,000s, before on-road costs. That is significantly cheaper than the previous generation, which had largely priced itself out of the market before it was discontinued in 2019.
Carseekers tracks new Mercedes-Benz pricing and availability as models arrive. The sedan's entry price has already dropped by close to $7,000 versus the model it replaces.
Why the Wagon Body Style Matters
The Shooting Brake body style occupies a specific niche. It is longer and lower than a traditional hatchback, with a roofline that extends farther to the rear to create more boot space without the raised floor and ride height of an SUV.
For buyers who value driving dynamics and a distinctive profile, a premium compact wagon is often a better choice than a crossover at a similar price. The Mercedes-Benz Shooting Brake name has historically attracted buyers who want something less common than a GLA or GLC at street level.
The CLA Shooting Brake will also be the brand's first electric wagon, marking a milestone that Mercedes-Benz has been building toward as it transitions more of its compact lineup to electrification.
How It Compares to Premium EV Alternatives
At its expected starting price in the low $70,000s as an EV, the CLA Shooting Brake competes against the Volvo EX40 and similar premium compact EVs, none of which offer the same wagon body style or the 320kW DC charging speed of the CLA. The nearest comparable, the Volvo V60, is not sold in electric form in Australia.
For buyers who want a premium compact EV in a practical body style, the CLA Shooting Brake may be the most compelling new option available in Australia when it arrives in Q4.
The hybrid variant is the more affordable entry point, and for buyers who charge overnight but also travel regularly between cities, the hybrid's flexibility avoids the range anxiety that still affects some EV buyers in regional areas.
The GLB Is Also Coming This Year
In addition to the CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the new-generation GLB small SUV is due in Australian showrooms in Q3 2026, meaning July to September. Like the Shooting Brake, it will be offered in hybrid and electric variants using the same MMA platform powertrains.
The GLB targets a different buyer profile. It is a higher-riding family SUV with seven-seat capability, designed for buyers who need row-three access rather than a low wagon roofline. Together, the two arrivals represent Mercedes-Benz significantly expanding its entry-level range with electrified options at price points well below the brand's flagship models.
What Buyers Should Do Now
If you are interested in the CLA Shooting Brake, registering your interest with a Mercedes-Benz dealer now puts you on the right allocation list for when stock arrives in Q4. Popular body styles in new model launches often have waiting lists before official launch day, and dealers with early reservation lists have the cleanest delivery stories.
The hybrid and EV split is worth thinking through based on your driving pattern. Buyers who travel less than 80 kilometres daily in mixed conditions will find the hybrid's fuel costs manageable. Buyers who do higher daily distances and can charge at home will get stronger economics from the EV, particularly given the 320kW DC charging speed that makes fast highway top-ups practical.
A plug-in hybrid version of the CLA is plausible based on the direction of Mercedes-Benz's existing lineup, but waiting for an unconfirmed product adds significant timing risk. The hybrid and electric Shooting Brake are the confirmed options, and they represent a genuinely interesting car at a price point that is more accessible than anything Mercedes-Benz has offered in a wagon body here in recent years.
Considering finance for your next car? Loanseekers can help you explore car loan options.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
When is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake coming to Australia?
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the CLA Shooting Brake for Australia in Q4 2026, meaning October to December this year. It will arrive after the CLA sedan, which launched as a hybrid recently, with the electric variant due in July.
How much will the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake cost in Australia?
Precise Australian pricing has not been confirmed, but Mercedes-Benz Australia said it will command a premium of a few thousand dollars over the equivalent CLA sedan. With the CLA sedan starting from $66,500 as a hybrid and $72,200 as an EV, buyers can expect the Shooting Brake to start somewhere in the high $60,000s as a hybrid and low $70,000s as an EV, before on-road costs.
What is the range of the electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake?
In Europe, the fully electric CLA Shooting Brake is rated at up to 755km in rear-wheel-drive configuration and 726km in all-wheel-drive on the WLTP cycle. DC fast charging is rated at up to 320kW, which is one of the fastest charging speeds on any production car in this class.
Is there a plug-in hybrid version of the CLA Shooting Brake coming?
Not confirmed for Australia at this stage. Mercedes-Benz representatives declined to confirm a PHEV CLA but did not rule it out, pointing to existing GLA, GLC, and C-Class PHEVs in the lineup. Buyers waiting for a plug-in version should treat it as speculative rather than planned.
How does the CLA Shooting Brake compare to the CLA sedan?
The wagon is longer, wider and taller than the sedan. Its boot is 455 litres, which is 30 litres smaller than the outgoing Shooting Brake, and the floor is 15mm higher. The electric version adds 101 litres of front-trunk space under the bonnet. Both hybrid and electric powertrains mirror those offered in the sedan.
Is the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake the only new wagon coming to Australia in 2026?
It is the most significant premium wagon launch confirmed for the year. Mercedes-Benz is also bringing the new-generation GLB small SUV in Q3 2026, but that is a higher-riding crossover rather than a wagon. For buyers specifically looking for a low-roofline estate-style body, the CLA Shooting Brake is the standout new arrival.
