2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Heads Down Electric AvenueMercedes-BenzThe 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA-class remains the brand's entry-level SUV, and it'll debut as an EV, with a gas-engine hybrid to follow.The GLA250+ is the rear-drive EV, the GLA350 is the mightier AWD EV, and the GLA220 (FWD) and GLA250 (AWD) are the hybrid models; power figures TBD.Mercedes hasn't yet announced pricing for any GLA, but those details will be shared before the SUV reaches dealers in the latter half of 2027.As goes the Mercedes-Benz CLA, so goes its crossover sibling, the GLA. The baby Benz sedan just emerged from a redesign and is now offered in EV and hybrid form; the GLA is about to follow suit.Like its sedan sibling, the first GLA out of the gate will be the electric version. It will be available as the GLA250+, with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels; the dual-motor GLA350 has all-wheel drive. Mercedes hasn't yet shared any horsepower figures, but if we look to the CLA for guidance, we can figure they'll come in at or close to 268 horsepower for the GLA250+ and 349 horses for the GLA350.Mercedes-BenzThe GLA350 is the performance model, and Mercedes claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.3 seconds for that version. The GLA250+ will boast the longer driving range of the two, and we're told it should be good for about 350 miles.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuilt on the MMA platform, like the CLA and the GLB, both versions feature an 800-volt architecture and use an 85-kWh battery. They can recharge at up to 320 kilowatts, should you find a sufficiently powerful charging station.Mercedes-BenzThe hybrid model will be offered as the front-wheel-drive GLA220 and the all-wheel-drive GLA250. Like the CLA hybrid, it uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.Either variant is larger than today's GLA. The wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer, and the body stretches six inches longer overall. It's fractionally lower, however, by 0.8 inch, and the tracks are wider. Up front, the headlights get the brand's new star-shaped lighting elements, and the newly enlarged grilles—each version with its own design—can also be illuminated. Behind the EVs' grille is a frunk that's slightly larger than the one in the CLA.Mercedes-BenzInside, the upright dash is entirely given over to digital displays. The optional Superscreen adds a 14.0-inch passenger screen to the 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 10.3-inch driver's display. Naturally, the MBUX system includes a virtual digital assistant, which incorporates Google Gemini and ChatGPT. The camera system includes a transparent-hood view, and automated parking is available.AdvertisementAdvertisementA glass roof is standard, and the optional Sky Control can vary its opacity in sections. It also adorns the glass with a constellation of 172 light-up stars.The GLA EV goes on sale in Europe this summer, with the hybrid model set to follow. U.S. buyers, though, must wait a while. The cadence will be the same for us, but don't expect to see either 2028 GLA in showrooms until the second half of 2027.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029