Mercedes-Benz has revealed a fully redesigned GLA built on an 800-volt EV architecture, with up to 408 miles of WLTP range, 320 kW fast charging, and two power outputs topping out at 349 horsepower. It's a mild off-roader with a transparent hood, an available Burmester sound system, and an MBUX assistant with generative AI baked in — but U.S. buyers will have to wait until the second half of 2027.
Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off a fully redesigned GLA, and for the first time, the brand's entry-level compact SUV comes as a proper battery-electric model rather than a compromise built on a gas-first platform. The new GLA shares its 800-volt architecture and battery technology with Mercedes' recent EV redesigns, and it's aimed squarely at buyers who want premium EV tech without stepping up to a full-size SUV price tag.
The electric GLA launches in three configurations. The entry GLA 200 pairs a 200 kW motor with a smaller 58 kWh battery. Stepping up brings the GLA 250+ (268 hp) and the all-wheel-drive GLA 350 4MATIC (349 hp, 0-60 mph in about 5.3 seconds), both built around a larger 85 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack. Mercedes rates the longest-range configuration at up to 657 km (408 miles) on Europe's WLTP cycle — a notably generous standard, so expect the EPA number Americans actually see on the window sticker to land closer to the 350-mile mark once U.S. testing is complete.
| Trim | Battery | Power | Starting Price (Germany, before tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLA 200 | 58 kWh | 200 kW motor | €40,840 (~$46,820) |
| GLA 250+ | 85 kWh | 268 hp | €46,200 (~$52,935) |
| GLA 350 4MATIC | 85 kWh | 349 hp, AWD | €48,830 (~$55,928) |
The 800-volt architecture is doing real work here: Mercedes says the GLA can accept up to 320 kW of DC fast charging, adding roughly 140-167 miles of range in about 10 minutes depending on conditions. The car's drag coefficient comes in at a claimed 0.27, respectable for a compact SUV shape and a meaningful factor in hitting that range figure.
Inside, the GLA runs the latest generation of Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system, including a virtual assistant Mercedes describes as offering more natural, conversational AI voice control — building on Mercedes' prior work integrating generative AI assistants like ChatGPT into MBUX, with Google Gemini integration also part of the brand's broader AI push. A "Surround Navigation" feature adds 3D visualization of your route.
Mercedes also grew the car itself: the wheelbase stretches 2.4 inches longer than the outgoing GLA, the body sits 0.8 inches lower, and the rear track is 1.2 inches wider. Rear-seat passengers get the biggest benefit, gaining about 1.5 inches of additional legroom.
Mercedes is positioning the new GLA as a mild off-roader, not just a city crossover. A Terrain mode adjusts the drivetrain and stability systems for dirt and gravel, and an available "transparent hood" feature uses exterior cameras to visualize what's directly beneath the front of the car on a screen — useful for picking a line around rocks or tight obstacles at low speed. As with essentially every current production EV, the GLA's driver-assistance suite tops out at supervised, hands-on driving; it cannot drive itself, even with the available semi-autonomous parking and highway assistance features.
Alongside the EV, Mercedes will offer a hybrid GLA built around a newly developed turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an electrified 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Mercedes says it can run on electric power alone at low speeds using a small 1.3 kWh battery, and can coast on electric power at speeds above 62 mph. The automaker hasn't released power figures or pricing for the hybrid version yet.
The bottom line: Mercedes is making a real push to bring genuine EV technology, not a watered-down version, down to its entry-level SUV price point. The range and charging numbers are competitive with EVs well above this segment, and the feature list reads like it was lifted from a car twice the price. The catch for American buyers is patience: order books open in Germany within days, but the U.S. won't see this car until the second half of 2027, and Mercedes still hasn't said what it will cost here.
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