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.
408 mi
Claimed WLTP range, longest configuration
320 kW
Peak DC fast-charging speed
349 hp
Output, top GLA 350 4MATIC trim
Three Electric Trims, One Battery Platform
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.
An Interior Built Around Screens and AI
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.
Notable interior and exterior features
- Illuminated front grille on EV models, with a chrome frame and a star-pattern LED light show
- Optional Superscreen setup: a 10.3-inch instrument display plus 14-inch panels for both infotainment and the front passenger
- Optional Sky Control electrochromic roof with adjustable transparency; a standard panoramic glass roof otherwise
- Optional 16-speaker Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos
- Up to 4,400 lbs (2,000 kg) of towing capacity on the electric versions
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.