Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new-generation GLA with a more muscular, athletic stance, a longer wheelbase, and a wider rear track, taking clear design cues from the GLA Electric. Due in India by early 2027, it features an illuminated high-tech grille with 600+ light points, tri-star-inspired LED signatures, four distinct equipment lines and a thoroughly redesigned, more spacious and tech-laden cabin.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled a new GLA Class to the world recently; one that will come to Indian shores in early 2027 and lock horns with the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the MINI Countryman. The world premiere, a virtual broadcast to a global audience, showed a new generation of the GLA that is dimensionally different from the existing car. It has new powertrain options, including an EV that was showcased earlier, and tons more comfort equipment.
At least, that is what the German auto giant says. What is visible to the eye, however, is that the new GLA looks more muscular and athletic than before. The stance is lower, the shoulders are more pronounced, the rear track is wider, and the wheelbase is longer.
The new GLA’s face is, of course, a variation of what we saw when Mercedes-Benz unveiled the GLA Electric last year. The grille is now a high- tech illuminated piece that contains more than 600 polycarbonate backlit light points. These can work in conjunction with 158 micro-LEDs to create light sequences. Slim headlamps replicate the iconic tri-star logo of Merc as their light signature and connected LED tail lamps square off the rear.
For the first time, the GLA will be offered in four different equipment lines, including a leather-free Style Line, the ultra-sporty AMG Line Plus, the Night Edition and the Night Package.
But naturally, imagine the opposite happening. That wouldn’t work at all for the brand’s consumers spread across the globe. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there is now more legroom. At the same time, Merc’s engineers have been able to liberate additional headroom too in every seat. The standard panoramic roof only enhances this sense of space in the new Mercedes-Benz GLA. Luggage space too is improved by a full 70 litres so that you now have a proper 410-litre boot in the GLA.
As for the pano sunroof, you can order the SKYROOF as an optional extra. This allows the passenger to adjust the transparency of the glass of the sunroof. At night, they can even create their own glowing starry sky with 172 stars integrated into the glass surface. Connected to the ambient lighting, they are illuminated in the individually selected colour.
The spatial experience has also been reinvented somewhat. The previous sculptural design has been replaced by a clean, minimalist design. The optional, floating MBUX Superscreen spans the entire width of the dashboard. Behind a large glass panel sit the 26-centimetre (10.25-inch) instrument display, the 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) central display and a 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) screen for the front passenger. If no front passenger display is fitted, a trim element with a star-pattern graphic continues the glass look in this area.
The concave base of the doors recedes visually, whilst generous, floating-style door centre panels with open storage make the interior appear lighter. Meanwhile, the floating, sporty, high-mounted centre console completes the new design concept.
Three electric options and an internal combustion engine with electric boost. That is how many powertrain options you’ll be able to choose from to have under the bonnet of this new SUV.
At the start of the ladder sits the 165kW Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Electric with its 58kWh Lithium-ion battery. The GLA 250+ with its 85kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery has an output of 200kW, while the top-spec GLA 350 4MATIC uses the same battery for an output of 260kW. A 71kWh battery nickel manganese cobalt battery will also be offered later in 2027.
The fourth option has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet. Doesn’t sound like much but there’s a 22kW electric motor that’s attached directly to the new electrified 8-speed dual clutch transmission. A new 48-volt battery with lithium-ion technology and an energy capacity of up to 1.3 kWh powers the electric motor.
When it comes to India, the Mercedes-Benz GLA will go up against the likes of the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and even the MINI Countryman. While Audi is expected to launch a new generation of the Q3, which should vastly change the game for the brand from Ingolstadt, Bavaria’s auto icon – BMW is likely to launch a new generation X1 in 2027. The new generation of the MINI Countryman was launched earlier this year. So, exciting times ahead.