Mercedes-Benz is taking its entry-level SUV into a new era with the redesigned 2028 GLA, and the biggest change is how it will launch. Following the same playbook as the new CLA, the next GLA will arrive first as a fully electric model before hybrid versions follow. That makes the GLA one of the clearest signs yet that Mercedes is no longer treating EVs as separate specialty products, but as core versions of familiar nameplates.
The electric lineup will include the rear-wheel-drive GLA250+ and the all-wheel-drive GLA350. Mercedes has not released official horsepower figures yet, but if the closely related CLA is any indication, output could land near 268 horsepower for the GLA250+ and around 349 horsepower for the GLA350. Mercedes says the GLA350 should reach 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, while the GLA250+ is expected to be the range-focused version with an estimated driving range of about 350 miles.
Both electric versions ride on Mercedes’ new MMA platform and use an 85-kWh battery with 800-volt electrical architecture. That is important because it allows DC fast charging at up to 320 kW when connected to a powerful enough charger. For daily use and road trips, that kind of charging speed could make the electric GLA far more convenient than earlier compact luxury EVs, especially for buyers who want something premium without jumping into a larger and more expensive SUV.
Hybrid models will follow for buyers who are not ready to go fully electric. The GLA220 will use front-wheel drive, while the GLA250 will offer all-wheel drive. Like the CLA hybrid, these models are expected to pair a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mercedes has not announced output or fuel economy figures yet, but the strategy gives shoppers a choice between full EV driving and a more traditional hybrid setup in the same redesigned GLA family.
The new GLA also grows in size. Its wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer, and overall length increases by about 6 inches, which should help passenger space and cargo flexibility. The design keeps the small-SUV shape but adds Mercedes’ newest lighting language, including star-shaped headlight elements and available illuminated grille treatments. EV models also gain a small front trunk, adding a useful storage bonus not found in most gas-powered compact SUVs.
Inside, the 2028 GLA leans heavily into digital luxury. The dashboard is dominated by screens, with an available Superscreen setup that adds a 14-inch passenger display to the 14-inch center touchscreen and 10.3-inch driver display. The MBUX system incorporates a virtual assistant supported by Google Gemini and ChatGPT, while available features include automated parking, a transparent-hood camera view, and a standard glass roof with optional Sky Control opacity adjustment and 172 illuminated star elements. Pricing has not been announced yet, but U.S. buyers should expect the new GLA to reach showrooms in the second half of 2027.
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