Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new GLA, giving its compact SUV a more athletic design, substantially redesigned cabin and a choice of electric and electrified combustion powertrains. The electric GLA will offer up to 657 kilometres of WLTP range, an 800-volt electrical architecture and DC fast charging at up to 320 kW, while hybrid versions are scheduled to follow in early 2027.
The new GLA is available to order in Germany from July 30, 2026. Prices start at €40,840 (INR 44.78 lakh) excluding VAT, or €48,599.60 including VAT, for the GLA 200 electric.
The longer-range GLA 250+ electric is priced from €46,200 excluding VAT, or €54,978 including VAT, while the more powerful GLA 350 4Matic electric starts at €48,830 excluding VAT, or €58,107.70 including VAT.
Three fully electric variants will be offered when the new GLA reaches the market in November, with Mercedes-Benz positioning electrification, increased interior space and artificial intelligence as central themes of the new generation.
“The new GLA will delight our customers every day. Backed by 140 years of innovation, we have built the most expressive GLA ever. In addition, the redesigned interior provides more space and comfort, making our current best-selling compact model even more desirable,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Three electric versions at launch
The entry-level GLA 200 electric produces 165 kW and uses a lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery with 58 kWh of usable capacity.
Above it sits the GLA 250+ electric, producing 200 kW, while the range-topping GLA 350 4Matic electric develops 260 kW and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
Both the GLA 250+ and GLA 350 4Matic use an 85 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt, or NMC, battery. Mercedes-Benz says another version equipped with a 71 kWh NMC battery will arrive in early 2027.
Depending on the variant, the electric GLA can travel up to 657 km on the WLTP cycle.
Its 800-volt electrical system supports DC charging at up to 320 kW, with Mercedes-Benz claiming as much as 270 km of WLTP range can be added in 10 minutes under suitable conditions. AC charging is supported at up to 22 kW.
A DC converter will also be offered optionally, allowing the vehicle to use 400-volt charging stations.
“The new GLA makes advanced technology intuitively accessible. With MB.OS and its AI-supported functions, it anticipates needs, provides everyday support, and creates a noticeably more comfortable customer experience. A wide range of all-electric and electrified powertrains, a range of up to 657 kilometers, and up to 270 kilometers of range that can be recharged in just ten minutes set new standards for everyday electric mobility in this segment,” said Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing.
Mercedes-Benz quotes combined energy consumption of 17.0-14.8 kWh/100 km for the GLA 200 electric, 17.4-15.1 kWh/100 km for the GLA 250+ and 17.6-15.1 kWh/100 km for the GLA 350 4MATIC electric.
Hybrid GLA coming in early 2027
The company has not abandoned combustion engines entirely.
A new electrified hybrid version will join the range in early 2027, initially in two performance levels and with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
It combines a newly developed 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 48-volt hybrid system. An electric motor integrated into the new eight-speed electrified dual-clutch transmission, or 8F-eDCT, can provide an additional 22 kW of assistance.
A 48-volt lithium-ion battery with up to 1.3 kWh of energy capacity supplies the electric motor.
Mercedes-Benz says the hybrid GLA can operate purely electrically at typical urban speeds, while electric coasting with the combustion engine disconnected is possible at more than 100 km/h when less than 22 kW of power is required.
Regenerative braking can recover up to 25 kW, with recuperation available in all eight transmission ratios.
Lower, longer and more purposeful
The new GLA is 20 mm lower than its predecessor, while its wheelbase has grown by 61 mm to 2,790 mm.
Mercedes-Benz has also widened the rear track and given the SUV more pronounced shoulders, flush-mounted wheels and an upright front section. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 20 inches depending on specification.
The electric version introduces Mercedes-Benz’s new illuminated grille design to the compact segment.
Its optional illuminated panel incorporates 608 polycarbonate light points along with 158 micro-LEDs capable of producing animated lighting sequences. Depending on local regulations, the central Mercedes star can also be partially or fully illuminated.
Hybrid versions use a different star-pattern grille containing 150 chrome-look stars.
Star-shaped lighting continues elsewhere. LED High Performance headlights are standard, while optional Multibeam LED units use star-shaped daytime running lights. Star motifs also appear in the rear lamps, which are linked visually by a light band across the tailgate.
It is certainly one way of ensuring nobody mistakes the badge in a dark car park.
More passenger and luggage space
The longer wheelbase has translated into additional cabin room.
Front passengers receive 7 mm more legroom, while rear-seat legroom increases by 38 mm. Maximum headroom is up by 23 mm in the front and 24 mm in the rear.
Boot capacity rises to 410 litres, 70 litres more than the previous model, while folding the standard 40:20:40 split rear seats expands capacity to 1,400 litres.
Electric versions also gain a 107-litre front luggage compartment, or frunk.
The electric GLA equipped with 4MATIC all-wheel drive can tow up to two tonnes with a braked trailer when fitted with the optional semi-electric tow hitch.
New Superscreen dominates the cabin
Inside, Mercedes-Benz has moved toward a cleaner, more minimalist layout built around the optional MBUX Superscreen.
The system places three displays behind a single glass surface: a 10.25-inch instrument display, 14-inch central touchscreen and 14-inch front-passenger display.
Cars without the passenger screen receive a trim panel continuing the visual theme across the dashboard.
A redesigned floating centre console provides wireless smartphone charging and twin cupholders, while the multifunction steering wheel retains physical-style controls including a volume roller and rocker switch for the speed limiter and Distronic.
Mercedes-Benz has also responded to the practical side of luxury: there is more open storage in the doors and centre console, rather than relying on screens to hold absolutely everything.
MBUX combines ChatGPT, Bing and Google Gemini
One of the GLA’s more significant technology upgrades is its new MBUX Virtual Assistant.
Mercedes-Benz says the system combines artificial intelligence from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini, selecting different sources according to the context of a conversation.
The assistant supports multi-part conversations, short-term memory and natural-language interaction. It can answer general questions as well as provide information about navigation destinations, charging stations, parking availability, weather, ski conditions, currency conversion and current stock prices.
Google Maps underpins the navigation system, while Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent provides conversational information about destinations and points of interest.
Mercedes-Benz Navigation with Electric Intelligence can also calculate charging stops while accounting for traffic and changes in driving behaviour.
The company says predicted wind conditions will be incorporated more precisely into future energy forecasts.
Up to three displays, 40 apps and a starry roof
Mercedes-Benz says more than 40 applications will be available through its entertainment ecosystem, including YouTube, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s RIDEVU and Disney+ with Dolby Atmos support. DAZN and AirPlay Video are also listed among future additions.
An optional Sky Control panoramic roof can electronically switch individual sections between transparent and opaque in 10 to 20 milliseconds.
The glass is divided into seven separately controllable segments.
At night, 172 illuminated stars integrated into the roof can work with the vehicle’s ambient lighting to create a customisable starry-sky effect.
Ambient lighting itself offers 64 colours, 10 colour schemes, 20 brightness levels and three brightness zones.
An optional Burmester 3D Surround Sound System provides 16 speakers and an 850-watt amplifier, with Dolby Atmos and selectable sound zones for different seating rows.
New driver-assistance and parking technology
The European-specification GLA is equipped with eight cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors.
A water-cooled computing unit capable of up to 254 tera-operations per second processes sensor data and has been designed to accommodate future functions delivered through over-the-air updates.
Depending on the selected MB.Drive package, the GLA can assist with steering, lane keeping, following distance, acceleration, braking and parking.
MB.Drive Parking Assist adds steering assistance to the standard Distronic adaptive cruise-control system and operates as an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance system.
A new Lane Change Assist function can initiate an assisted lane change following a tap of the indicator stalk where conditions permit.
MB.Drive Parking Assist can identify conventional parking spaces as well as unmarked free areas and can automatically help the vehicle exit a space even when the initial parking manoeuvre was completed manually.
The available 360-degree parking system adds a 3D vehicle representation, while a Rim Protection Warning function can alert the driver when the wheels approach an obstacle.
A Reverse Maneuvering Function can also assist the driver in retracing a section of the vehicle’s previous forward route in reverse under specified conditions.
Terrain mode targets light off-road use
GLA 4Matic variants add a Terrain driving mode alongside Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual settings.
The mode modifies the powertrain, steering and braking characteristics for loose surfaces such as gravel and sand.
An optional “Transparent Hood” function uses camera imagery to create a virtual view underneath the vehicle, potentially helping drivers place the wheels more accurately on rough tracks.
Four equipment lines and a Night Edition
For the first time, the GLA will be available with four equipment lines, alongside a Night Package.
The Style Line serves as the starting specification, followed by Progressive Line, AMG Line and AMG Line Plus.
AMG Line models receive more aggressive bumpers, gloss-black exterior details and 19- or 20-inch AMG wheels, while AMG Line Plus adds items including a high-gloss black spoiler lip, exclusive 20-inch wheels, sport seats, red seat belts and illuminated door sills.
A Night Edition combines AMG Line with the Night Package and includes Cosmos Black magno paint, gloss-black exterior trim and black 20-inch ten-spoke aero wheels.
New exterior colours include Aquamint and Clear Blue metallic, while cabin options include Ivory Beige and Beech Brown upholstery.
Customers will also be able to choose trim surfaces including open-pore wood, brushed aluminium, anodised finishes and a paper-based decorative material.
Mercedes-Benz claims 40% lower CO₂ footprint
Mercedes-Benz says the fully electric GLA has an approximately 40% lower CO₂ footprint across its value chain than the current combustion-engine GLA.
According to the company, its latest battery cells have an approximately 30% lower CO₂ footprint than the previous battery generation.
Around 40% of the aluminium used is produced in electrolysis facilities powered by renewable energy, which Mercedes-Benz says saves about 400 kg of CO₂ per electric GLA.
The vehicle also uses more than four times as much recycled material as its predecessor, including bumper structures containing nearly 55% recycled content and carpets made using 100% recycled Econyl yarn.
Aerodynamic efficiency has improved as well, with the new GLA recording a claimed drag coefficient of 0.27.
“For many of our customers, the GLA has long been more than just a vehicle; it’s a companion through everyday life. With the new GLA, we have clearly focused on what truly matters to our customers: a successful combination of sportiness, even more space, noticeably enhanced comfort, and technologies that feel intuitive and natural. With its wide range of powertrains and diverse customization options, it seamlessly integrates into modern lifestyles and, in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, conveys that unmistakable ‘Welcome Home’ feeling every single time,” said Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Sales & Customer Experience.
With electric, hybrid, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions planned, the latest GLA reflects Mercedes-Benz’s effort to broaden electrification without forcing compact-SUV buyers into a single powertrain strategy. Its 657-km claimed range and rapid 800-volt charging may grab the headlines, but the bigger story is how much software, AI and digital functionality is now being packed into what remains one of the company’s smallest SUVs.
