The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA is becoming a more serious small luxury SUV. The third-generation model arrives at U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2027 with a choice of all-electric or 48-volt hybrid power, a longer wheelbase, more passenger room, and a cabin built around Mercedes-Benz’s latest software.

That breadth may be the most important part of the redesign. Mercedes is not forcing every GLA buyer into the same powertrain decision. Shoppers who are ready for an EV can choose one, while drivers who still want gasoline convenience will have two hybrid outputs available. Pricing and U.S. efficiency estimates have not yet been announced.

The styling is lower and more athletic without abandoning the upright stance expected from an SUV. The electric GLA gets an illuminated grille with 608 light points and 158 micro-LEDs, while the hybrid uses a star-pattern grille with 150 chrome elements. It is not subtle, but compact luxury SUVs increasingly need a recognizable identity.

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Electric Range Is the Headline, but Charging Matters More

The electric lineup starts with the rear-wheel-drive GLA 250+ Electric, rated at 268 horsepower, and continues with the 349-hp GLA 350 4MATIC Electric. Both use an 85-kWh usable battery. Mercedes says the more powerful model can reach 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Mercedes quotes up to 657 kilometers, or about 408 miles, on Europe’s WLTP test cycle. That is not an EPA figure, so American buyers should wait for U.S. certification before comparing it directly with rivals. The 800-volt electrical architecture may prove just as useful. DC fast charging peaks at 320 kW, and Mercedes says the GLA can add up to 270 kilometers of WLTP range in 10 minutes under suitable conditions.

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Hybrid Power Keeps the GLA Open to More Buyers

The hybrid GLA uses a new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a 48-volt battery with up to 1.3 kWh of usable capacity. The motor can add 30 horsepower for short periods.

Under light loads in city driving, Mercedes says the GLA can move on electric power alone. It can also coast with the engine disconnected at speeds above 60 mph and recover up to 25 kW through regenerative braking. This is not a plug-in hybrid, but it should deliver smoother low-speed operation and lower fuel use than a conventional gasoline-only powertrain. Final U.S. outputs and economy ratings remain unconfirmed.

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More Space and Better Controls Matter Every Day

The wheelbase grows 2.4 inches to 109.8 inches. Rear legroom increases by as much as 1.5 inches, while front and rear headroom gain 0.9 inches. A standard panoramic glass roof should make the cabin feel brighter, and the available SKY CONTROL roof can switch individual glass sections between transparent and opaque.

The optional MBUX Superscreen combines a 10.25-inch driver display with 14-inch center and passenger screens beneath one glass surface. Mercedes also brings back straightforward steering-wheel hardware, including a volume roller and a rocker for adaptive cruise control. That sounds minor until you remember how many modern cabins turn simple adjustments into touchscreen errands.

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AI, Driver Assistance and the Fine Print

The MBUX Virtual Assistant uses technology from ChatGPT, Microsoft and Google to support multi-part conversations and retain short-term context. Google-based navigation can answer questions about destinations and charging stations, while the available surround-navigation display builds a real-time 3D view of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Standard assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control, eight cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Optional packages add expanded driving and parking support, including a transparent-hood view and wheel-protection warnings. These remain assistance systems, not replacements for an attentive driver.

The new GLA appears to address the weaknesses that often make small luxury SUVs feel compromised: tight rear seating, limited cargo flexibility and technology that dazzles before it helps. The real verdict will depend on U.S. pricing, EPA range and how naturally the software works in daily driving. Still, offering electric and hybrid choices in one more spacious package gives the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA a sensible foundation.