All-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA locked in for Australia as EV or hybrid

Key takeaways

• All-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA confirmed for Australia in 2027
• Electric and hybrid only, with PHEV, petrol and diesel dropped
• Up to 657km WLTP range and 320kW DC fast charging

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers off the all-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA and it lands in Australia next year as an electric or hybrid only proposition.

The brand's smallest SUV switches to fully electric and petrol-hybrid power, drops the old plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel options, and folds the electric EQA back under the GLA badge. Order books open in Europe now with local showroom timing set for 2027.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA range and powertrains

Three electric variants lead the launch. The GLA 200 electric opens the range with a 165kW rear motor and a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, good for up to 447km of WLTP range.

Step up to the GLA 250+ and you get a 200kW rear motor, an 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery and a headline 657km of range. The flagship GLA 350 4Matic adds a front motor for all-wheel drive, 260kW combined and a 5.4-second sprint to 100km/h. A fourth EV with a 71kWh battery follows in early 2027.

All three run 800-volt electrics and charge at up to 320kW on the 250+ and 350. Worth flagging for local buyers: most Australian DC chargers still run at 400V, so those peak speeds will be rare in the real world.

The hybrid arrives shortly after. It pairs a new 1.5-litre turbo four with a 48-volt system and a 22kW electric motor built into an eight-speed dual-clutch auto. It can creep on electric power alone around town, and comes in two outputs with front or all-wheel drive.

Specs and performance

See Mercedes-Benz GLA driveaway pricing and specifications →

Bigger where it counts

The new car is 122mm longer overall, with a wheelbase stretched 61mm to 2,790mm, and sits 20mm lower for a sleeker stance.

Boot space grows 70 litres to 410 litres, or 1,400 litres with the rear seats folded. Electric versions add a 107-litre frunk under the bonnet, and 4Matic models can tow up to two tonnes braked.

Cabin and tech

Inside, the GLA can be optioned with the MBUX Superscreen, running a 10.25-inch driver display alongside 14-inch central and passenger touchscreens behind one glass panel.

A switchable panoramic roof shifts from clear to opaque at the press of a button, and there is a Burmester sound system, an AI-powered voice assistant and Google Maps navigation. A new Rim Protection Warning even helps you avoid kerbing the wheels while parking.

What it costs in Australia

Local pricing has not been confirmed. The current GLA200 opens at $64,300 plus on-road costs, but we would expect it close to the related CLA coupe which opens at $66,500.

Why Mercedes is leading the GLA with the EV, not the hybrid

Deleting the EQA badge and axing the PHEV, petrol and diesel tells you the GLA 200 electric is now the volume entry, with the 48-volt petrol-hybrid kept on as a stopgap for buyers not ready to plug in.

With just a 22kW electric boost, that hybrid won't get near a full-hybrid rival like the Lexus UX on city economy, so its job is holding petrol loyalists rather than chasing Toyota. If local pricing does land close to the current $64,300 GLA200, the electric goes straight after the BMW iX1 and Volvo EX40 on price, not just the badge.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA arrive in Australia?

It is due in local showrooms in 2027, in both electric and hybrid forms. Exact timing and pricing are yet to be confirmed.

What is the range of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

The GLA 250+ electric claims up to 657km on the WLTP cycle, while the entry GLA 200 electric offers up to 447km.

How much will the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA cost in Australia?

Pricing is not confirmed. The current GLA200 starts at $64,300 plus on-road costs, and Mercedes-Benz has indicated the new model could open lower.