Mercedes-Benz is betting that buyers in the compact luxury segment want the same electric range and charging speed as a flagship EV, shrunk into a GLA-sized package. The all-new 2028 GLA arrives at U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2027 with two battery-electric variants, a freshly engineered 48-volt hybrid, a longer wheelbase, and an interior that drops the previous model’s sculptural design language for something cleaner and more overtly tech-forward. It is the most substantial redesign the GLA has seen since the second generation launched in 2020.
The powertrain story starts with the electric models. The GLA 250+ Electric produces 268 hp; the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric steps up to 349 hp and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Both share an 85-kWh usable NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery and the same 800-volt charging architecture. At an 800-volt DC fast-charging station, the GLA can pull up to 320 kW and recover up to 270 kilometers of range in ten minutes, per WLTP methodology. Peak electric range on the European WLTP cycle is 657 kilometers for the electric GLA, which converts to approximately 408 miles — a figure that, if the EPA number lands anywhere near the WLTP estimate, would reframe what buyers expect from a compact SUV in this class. A DC converter is standard, enabling charging at conventional 400-volt stations as well.
The 48-volt hybrid powertrain uses a newly developed 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo paired with an electric motor integrated directly into a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (8F-eDCT). The motor adds a 30-hp boost and allows the GLA to run on electric power alone in city driving when less than 30 hp is required to keep the car moving, with electric coasting available above 60 mph when the drivetrain disengages. Recuperation runs through all eight gears, recovering up to 25 kW. The 48-volt lithium-ion battery carries up to 1.3 kWh of usable capacity. It is a genuinely compact system, the motor and its components occupying space inside the transmission housing rather than bolted alongside it, which contributes to the overall package efficiency. Two hybrid output levels are planned for the U.S. market.
4MATIC all-wheel drive is available on both drivetrains. 4MATIC models add a TERRAIN drive program that automatically adjusts drivetrain, steering, and brake characteristics for dirt and gravel surfaces. The “Transparent Hood” function, paired with the optional Digital Extra: MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360, projects a virtual view of the terrain directly beneath the vehicle onto the display, a useful feature when picking a line on loose ground.
Dimensionally, the new GLA grew in every direction that matters. The wheelbase extends 2.4 inches to 109.8 inches total. The rear track widens by 1.2 inches, and overall height drops 0.8 inches, giving the GLA a lower, more planted stance without sacrificing cabin space. Front-seat legroom increases 0.3 inches; rear legroom gains 1.5 inches. Maximum headroom front and rear each grow 0.9 inches. The roofline and standard panoramic glass roof contribute to the improved sense of vertical space. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench creates a near-flat cargo floor when folded, and the electric GLA adds a frunk alongside the main trunk.
The electric GLA also introduces the illuminated iconic grille to the Mercedes-Benz compact segment for the first time. It features a chrome frame, illuminated surround, and a panel grille with a smoked-glass-effect mesh structure containing 608 polycarbonate light points, all backlit. Combined with 158 micro-LEDs, the grille can display animated light sequences synchronized to the selected soundscape. The hybrid models carry a star grille instead: 150 hot-stamped chrome stars forming the distinctive Mercedes-Benz pattern, framed by an LED surround. Both approaches are visually distinct enough that telling an electric GLA from a hybrid at distance is straightforward.
Inside, the optional MBUX Superscreen spans the full dashboard width, integrating a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch central display, and a 14-inch front passenger display beneath a single glass surface. The front passenger display supports video streaming via Disney+ and Sony RIDEVU, video conferencing, and audio apps. For buyers who skip the Superscreen, the standard layout uses separate displays with the MBUX Zero Layer interface on the central screen, which surfaces recently used apps and personalized suggestions. The multifunction steering wheel adds a physical roller for volume and a rocker for Distance Assist DISTRONIC, with capacitive control panels providing tactile feedback.
The MBUX Virtual Assistant uses a multi-agent architecture pulling from ChatGPT, Microsoft, and Google simultaneously, with short-term memory that carries context across topics within a single conversation. Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent integrates with Google Maps to answer navigation and points-of-interest questions conversationally. MBUX Surround Navigation displays a real-time 3D model of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings on the driver display using game engine graphics, improving situational awareness in tight environments.
Driver assistance comes standard with Distance Assist DISTRONIC, eight cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, all fed through a water-cooled control unit capable of 254 tera operations per second. Optional Digital Extra: MB.DRIVE ASSIST PLUS adds market-specific functions including stop sign and traffic light recognition. Optional MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360 adds the surround view and a rim protection warning that displays a top-view distance alert during low-speed maneuvering.
The optional Burmester 3D Surround Sound System runs 16 speakers at 850 watts with Dolby Atmos support, adding four speakers over whatever configuration the previous GLA offered. Front door tweeter and mid-range speaker covers are finished in silver chrome for the first time in the GLA. Sound Zone and Focus settings let occupants direct audio to the front row, rear row, or specific seats; Auto Selection detects who is seated and adjusts automatically.
Personalization options expand noticeably. New paint options include Liquid Crystal Green and Sky Blue Metallic. The AMG Line Plus with Night Package is new to the GLA, adding a high-gloss black spoiler lip, exclusive 20-inch AMG wheels, and red seatbelts inside. The Night Edition adds MANUFAKTUR Cosmos Black Magno paint with a full dark-accent interior treatment. The standard fixed panoramic roof uses infrared-reflective laminated safety glass with a low-emissivity coating; the optional SKY CONTROL version switches between transparent and opaque in 10 to 20 milliseconds, with seven individually controllable segments.
The BMW X1 holds the comparison point most GLA buyers will reach for. Both compete at the practical end of the compact luxury bracket, but neither the X1 nor most of its segment peers currently offer 800-volt charging or the range figures Mercedes is projecting for the electric GLA. If the EPA numbers hold anything close to the WLTP result, Mercedes will have built a compelling argument for a segment that has historically treated long-range electric driving as a premium-trim luxury. The all-new GLA is trying to make it table stakes.
2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Photo Gallery
Source: Mercedes-Benz. Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.
