Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled the third generation of its smallest SUV, the GLA. Following in the footsteps of the latest CLA and GLB, the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA will be offered in both hybrid and fully electric variants.
Up front, the 2028 GLA adopts the new grille motif seen on the GLB, which itself is a derivative of the larger grille from the new GLC. That’s a lot of GLs to keep up with, we know. Luckily, the GLA might just be the first of the bunch to draw your attention thanks to how little it resembles a Mercedes when you get to the rear.
European readers might see hints of Renault in the taillights, while Americans who follow the international industry might see cues from the latest Smart models. It’s a shame Smart no longer exists in the U.S., as its latest crop of vehicles looks very interesting. The question is: should a true Mercedes-Benz ever conjure images of a Smart?
From the side, the third generation splits the difference between Gen 1 and Gen 2, sporting a lower roofline and a decidedly sportier stance. The new profile does not sacrifice interior comfort; in fact, every seat in the house has more room to work with than in the previous, more bulbous GLA. If you go with an electric GLA model, a frunk replaces the 4-cylinder engine, giving you even more storage space.
As is common in German luxury brands, Mercedes has copied and pasted the dashboard from the new CLA and GLB into this car. That means you have a vertically angled gloss-finished panel from pillar to pillar, one that houses a third passenger display on the top trims.
This screen array is referred to as the “Superscreen”, indicated by the three separate displays as opposed to the one singular display that stretches the whole dashboard, as you’ll find optional in the C-Class and GLC electric. That more impressive setup is essentially “Hyperscreen 2.0”, and it is far too fancy for the GLA’s subcompact Mercedes cohort.
The new MB.OS system found in all the latest products is also here, giving the GLA natural voice capability and AI intelligence via ChatGPT and Gemini. Google Maps now powers the native navigation system, and electric models have the option for advanced built-in route planning.
Powertrain Options
The first-ever GLA hybrid utilizes a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup and a transmission-integrated electric motor powered by a 1.3-kWh battery. The combustion engine is also new, a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) models will wear the 220 badge, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) models will say 250.
Thanks to the transmission integration, electric recuperation is possible within all eight gear ratios. The company is not calling it a one-pedal situation, but it does claim the regeneration can reach up to 25 kW of power. It can also drive on electricity alone at speeds up to 30 mph, meaning this hybrid subcompact luxury SUV is actually more than just mild in nature.
Mercedes will offer the electric GLA in two flavors: 250+ with rear-wheel drive and the 350 4Matic with all-wheel drive. It is touting just over 400 miles of range on the European WLTP test cycle for the 250+, so expect the EPA to report a number closer to 350. For reference, the sleeker CLA 250+ Electric is rated at 374 miles on a full charge by the EPA, while the CLA 350 4MATIC is rated at 312 miles. Like the electric CLA and GLB, this car will do one real physical gear shift at high speed thanks to a handy 2-speed automatic gearbox.
Both GLA electric models will be powered by an 85-kWh (usable) NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery, with the ability to switch between 400- and 800-volt charging thanks to an onboard DC converter. At 800-volt stations, Mercedes says the GLA electric will have a peak DC fast charging rate of 320 kW. At 400-volt stations that will reduce that to 100 kW, but this is nonetheless a welcome innovation that helps the car maintain its efficiency when traversing a variety of public charging outputs and hardware standards.
2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Availability and Pricing
The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2027. Pricing will be announced closer to its arrival. Until then, expect to see more variants and AMG high-performance alter egos to emerge. We’ll keep it all covered right here.
