Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the third-generation GLA, and this is not just another facelift. The compact luxury SUV now arrives with an all-electric lineup, refreshed styling, a longer wheelbase, an optional MBUX Superscreen and a major shift in Mercedes’ naming strategy, as the brand drops the old “EQ” badge for its electric models.
The new GLA is a big reset for one of Mercedes’ smallest SUVs. It is now larger, more advanced and more EV-focused than before, and it is clearly designed to compete in a market where buyers expect range, fast charging, premium tech and some degree of future-proofing in every luxury product.
Bigger and bolder
The third-generation GLA measures 4,565mm in length and rides on a 2,790mm wheelbase, making it 143mm longer than before. That increase should translate into more rear-seat space and a more comfortable cabin overall.
Mercedes has also given the SUV a more modern exterior. EV versions get an illuminated front grille panel, slim LED headlamps with three-pointed star-inspired detailing and a full-width rear light bar, all of which make the new GLA look more futuristic and more distinctly Mercedes.
First-ever electric GLA
The biggest headline is the introduction of an all-electric GLA. At launch, the EV lineup includes the GLA 200, GLA 250+ and GLA 350 4MATIC, giving buyers a mix of entry-level, long-range and performance-oriented options.
The most powerful version, the GLA 350 4MATIC, produces 358bhp and can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.4 seconds. That gives the compact SUV a surprisingly sporty edge for a vehicle in this segment.
Range and charging
Mercedes-Benz says the electric GLA can deliver a WLTP range of up to 657km, which makes it one of the more impressive-range compact EVs in the premium space.
The SUV uses 58kWh LFP or 85kWh NMC battery packs depending on the variant and is built on an 800V architecture. That allows DC fast charging of up to 320kW, with Mercedes claiming a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 22 minutes and up to 270km of range in just 10 minutes under ideal charging conditions.
Practicality gets a boost
Mercedes has also improved storage and everyday usability. The electric GLA offers a 410-litre boot and an additional 107-litre front storage compartment, giving buyers more flexibility for daily use and road trips.
That front storage space, or frunk, is especially useful in an electric SUV, and it gives the GLA a more practical edge over many smaller luxury rivals that still struggle to balance cabin packaging with battery placement.
Cabin and tech
Inside, the GLA gets a major upgrade in tech appeal. One of the most prominent features is the optional MBUX Superscreen, a triple-screen setup that includes the digital cluster, central infotainment screen and a passenger display.
The new software platform, MB.OS, brings AI-supported voice functions with integration from tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, making the cabin feel more intelligent and more conversational than before. For Mercedes, this is part of a wider move to make the user interface feel more natural and less button-heavy.
This is a big deal because luxury buyers increasingly care about digital experience as much as material quality. The new GLA is clearly trying to meet that demand head-on.
Hybrid version coming later
While the electric model is the main event now, Mercedes is not stopping there. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 48-volt mild-hybrid version is scheduled to arrive in early 2027, giving the GLA range a more traditional internal-combustion option for buyers who are not yet ready to go fully electric.
That dual-path approach is important because Mercedes wants the GLA to serve both current EV adopters and buyers who still prefer a hybrid or petrol setup in markets where charging infrastructure is still uneven.
Pricing and rollout
Mercedes-Benz has already opened orders in some markets, with European prices starting around €40,840 excluding VAT for the entry electric variants. Global and U.S. availability is expected to follow later, with broader rollout beginning in 2027.
This makes the new GLA a strategically important model for Mercedes. It is not only a compact luxury SUV; it is also a showcase of how the brand plans to transition smaller vehicles into the EV era without losing the premium feel buyers expect.
The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA is a serious reinvention. Bigger dimensions, an all-electric range of up to 657km, ultra-fast charging, a more advanced digital cabin and a future hybrid option make it far more than just an update.
For buyers, the new GLA offers a strong mix of style, technology and range. For Mercedes, it marks another step toward redefining its compact lineup for the electric-first future.
