The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers the most familiar and sporty variant, a special alternative to a compact saloon that debuted in 2013 expanding the horizons of the star brand. A model as sporty as the sedan, but more attractive and practical. After two generations, Daimler will also load the CLA Shooting Brake in 2025.
Mercedes has put the focus on family members that populate its range of models. Despite the fact that these are ingrained variants that offer a high level of interior versatility and practicality, but that have lost steam, so their level of acceptance is not the same in all markets. In fact, in China where the star brand is a favorite, they only want long-wheelbase saloons and SUVs. The same body shape that is in good health in Europe and the United States.
This is “common knowledge” in the industry, it is not necessary to pull files but if we pull sales figures, some models can even be humiliated. The truth is that those responsible for Mercedes know that There are plenty of models and that the C-Class Estate and the E-Class Estate will not be replaced. Two models to which the cross has already been thrown and to which he is also going to be added a third: the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake. And is that if we stick to its format, this is also a family but with a more sporty style than the previous ones. A condition that distinguishes them but that does not mean that it is another Estate with another name and, therefore, there is plenty of it.
Three years of life left to the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake
The star brand debuted the first generation of the CLA Shooting Brake in 2014, just a year after the compact sports saloon. Segment C had family options, but not in the Premium categoryTherefore, the German brand wanted to offer a differentiated family model and opted for the Shooting Brake phenomenon. A play that went so well, which was not opposed by any resistance beyond the A3 Sportback.
And a commercial success that led to a second generation that debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. About three years to come, and to receive a face lift that we will not take long to see in spy photos, we already know that there will be no third generation. The German brand is not only willing to load up the CLA Shooting Brake, it will in 2025 when it reaches the commercial life of this model, so there is no assigned replacement. The truth is that, leaving aside the different aesthetic personalities of each model, between a compact family and an SUV in the same category, there are no major differences beyond a greater height from the body to the ground.
Because, in the volume of the trunk, both models are even, hovering around 500 liters with the rear seat backs deployed. The strategy of the Daimler giant is that these models are replaced with SUV and crossover, electric, which makes a lot of logic: Once again, the benefits are practically the same with the plus of the greater height to the ground compared to the family one. Of course, the Stuttgart manufacturer has not confirmed anything about it, and we also do not think it will make it public in an express statement, it is not usual. What is clear is that family members are a new victim of SUVs.