Mercedes-Benz new GLA Redesigned with a Striking New Stance

Mercedes-Benz has transformed the GLA from a polite, somewhat anonymous compact-SUV into a vehicle with a proper stance. The new car sits 20 mm lower than before, yet its wheelbase stretches 61 mm longer. It features a wider rear track, more sculpted shoulders, and flush 18- to 20-inch wheels, giving it a look of intent.

The GLA now resembles a scaled-down GLC with a sharper sense of purpose. Mercedes has also emphasised lighting drama. Electric versions debut the brand’s new compact-segment iconic grille, while the hybrid model uses a different face. Both are designed for distant recognition.

More attitude

The styling is simpler in surface but more aggressive in effect. Broad panels and strong crease lines create a hard light-and-shadow contrast down the flanks. The lower stance gives the car a planted look that the previous GLA lacked. Depending on trim, wraparound cladding around the wheel arches and underride protection front and rear maintain the SUV message. Roof rails remain part of the package, and chrome details at the nose and tail add the polish Mercedes buyers expect.

The grille treatment clearly distinguishes between powertrains. The electric GLA features a chrome-framed panel with a smoked-glass look and a central star. Mercedes states the contour and panel can be illuminated. Inside the mesh are 608 polycarbonate light points, backlit, along with 158 micro-LEDs that can run animated sequences matched to the selected soundscape. Depending on local rules, the center star may also glow in full or in part.

The hybrid GLA adopts a different look, using a star grille with 150 hot-stamped chrome-look stars. Certain trim levels feature a light guide as standard around the grille, and in some markets the central star also lights up. Standard LED high-performance headlights carry a chrome star detail. The rear lamps echo this theme, and the connecting light band across the tail can animate its welcome and goodbye routine when the more advanced headlamps are fitted.

More room, less clutter

Mercedes has replaced the previous sculptural busyness with a clearer interior architecture built around high-tech focal points. The wheelbase increase to 2 790 mm provides increased passenger room. Driver and front passenger gain 7 mm of legroom, the rear bench gets 38 mm more, and headroom rises by 23 mm in front and 24 mm in the back thanks to the roofline and standard panoramic sunroof.

The panoramic roof serves as both a comfort item and a design flourish. The standard glass panel uses laminated safety glass with heat-insulating properties, an infrared-reflecting coating, and an ultra-thin low-emissivity layer to keep the cabin cooler in summer and hold warmth in winter.

Boot space climbs to 410 litres, 70 litres more than before. The rear seat backs fold in a 40/20/40 split. The electric GLA adds a 107-litre frunk, handy for a crate of drinks, a carry-on suitcase, or a decent sports bag.

MBUX goes AI

Mercedes has also overhauled the interface around a floating MBUX Superscreen. In its full form, it spans the dashboard and combines a 26-cm instrument display, a 35,6-cm central screen, and a 35,6-cm passenger screen under one glass surface. If the passenger display is omitted, that section becomes a trim panel with a star-pattern graphic, which can also be backlit.

Mercedes has simplified the MBUX Zero Layer, so the central display surfaces the most relevant information first, now including recently used apps. Those apps can be grouped into named folders, smartphone style. The new multifunction steering wheel retains the familiar roller for volume and the rocker for the speed limiter and Distronic. The capacitive pads still provide haptic feedback.

The MBUX Virtual Assistant is a major talking point. Mercedes treats it less like a voice-command tool and more like a conversation partner with short-term memory. It draws on ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, using whichever model suits the request. It then presents itself as a living avatar on the MBUX Zero Layer, with three avatar options. It already handles navigation, points of interest, weather, stock prices and currency conversion. It can even identify a song when the driver cannot remember the title or artist.

Electric first, hybrid later

The electric GLA leads the new model roll out. At launch there will be three electric variants. The GLA 200 electric uses a 58 kWh battery and makes 165 kW. The GLA 250+ electric steps up to 200 kW, while the GLA 350 4Matic electric delivers 260 kW and reaches 100 km/h in 5m4 seconds. Both stronger versions use an 85 kWh battery.

Mercedes quotes up to 657 km of range, with 800-volt architecture that can add as much as 270 km in ten minutes at a suitable DC charger. Peak DC charging is 320 kW at 800-volt stations, with optional compatibility for 400-volt infrastructure through a DC converter. AC charging goes up to 22 kW.

The hybrid line arrives in early 2027 with two outputs and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Under the bonnet sits a redesigned electrified 1,5-litre four-cylinder turbo, paired with a 22 kW electric boost motor inside an electrified 8F-eDCT.

Power comes from a 48-volt lithium-ion battery of up to 1,3 kWh. It can drive electrically in city traffic, coast on electric power above 100 km/h when the load is light, and recuperate or assist in all eight gears with up to 25 kW of energy recovery. Mercedes has refreshed the GLA, turning it into a far more complete small SUV with enough technology, range, and cabin theatre to make the old one look undercooked.