New Mercedes GLA revealed with 408-mile electric range
The third-generation Mercedes GLA has been officially unveiled, arriving as a fully electric model in November before a hybrid version follows in 2027.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new GLA, its popular compact SUV, and for the first time the car will launch in fully electric form first, with a claimed range of up to 408 miles on a single charge.
According to multiple reports, the new GLA goes on sale in its electric version in November this year, with a hybrid model following in early 2027. That means buyers who want a petrol-assisted version will need to wait a little longer, but those open to going electric can get into one before Christmas. The car sits on Mercedes' new MMA platform, the same underpinning used by the CLA saloon and the seven-seat GLB SUV, so it shares engineering with some of the brand's most up-to-date models.
The GLA has always been one of Mercedes' stronger sellers in the compact crossover class, and this third generation is being positioned directly against cars like the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Volvo EX40. A claimed 408-mile range would, if achievable in real-world driving, put it comfortably ahead of many rivals in that class and would address one of the most common concerns buyers raise about switching to an electric car: whether they can complete long journeys without frequent stops to charge.
For everyday drivers, the key practical question will be how that range holds up in mixed conditions, particularly in winter when battery performance typically drops. Official range figures are usually achieved under test conditions, so real-world numbers tend to be somewhat lower, though the gap has been narrowing in newer vehicles. Mercedes has described the new GLA as better in every respect than the model it replaces, which has been on sale since 2020.
If you are weighing up a compact electric SUV in this bracket, it is worth keeping an eye on the GLA alongside its rivals as full pricing and specification details emerge closer to the November launch. For general advice on running, maintaining or switching to an electric car, Garage.co.uk (https://www.garage.co.uk) has practical guides written for everyday UK drivers.