Charging is one of the most impressive parts of the new GLA. Mercedes-Benz says the 800-volt system can add approximately 167 miles of range in 10 minutes under suitable conditions, a figure that makes the GLA far more practical for highway travel than an EV that needs a long stop every time its battery gets low. The GLA 250+ has a preliminary WLTP range of up to approximately 408 miles, although the U.S. EPA figure has not yet been announced and will almost certainly be lower. Car and Driver estimates that something in the neighborhood of 350 miles under EPA testing may be realistic. The final number matters, but the combination of a relatively efficient 85-kWh battery and 320-kW charging is already encouraging. An owner traveling from Chicago to Milwaukee, Madison, Door County or western Michigan could cover substantial distances and recover a useful amount of range during a short food or coffee stop instead of building the day around charging.

The redesigned GLA is also noticeably larger than the vehicle it replaces. The wheelbase stretches approximately 2.4 inches and overall length increases by roughly six inches, while the body becomes slightly lower and the tracks grow wider. The extra length gives Mercedes-Benz more room for passengers, particularly in the rear seat, without turning the GLA into another oversized luxury SUV. That distinction has always been important to this model. The GLA works well in places where a GLS can become a nuisance, including crowded city streets, downtown garages and older parking structures designed when vehicles were considerably smaller. The new model has more room to breathe inside, but it remains compact enough to preserve the basic character that has made the GLA useful.
The electric architecture also creates storage space where the gasoline engine used to be. The front trunk gives owners a separate place for charging equipment, smaller bags and other items that do not need to occupy the main cargo compartment. It is a practical detail that becomes surprisingly useful in everyday EV ownership, particularly when charging cables are wet, dirty or covered with winter grime. Mercedes-Benz has also paid attention to towing capability and general utility, helping the new GLA function as a genuine small SUV rather than an electric hatchback sitting a few inches higher off the pavement.
The exterior has been thoroughly redrawn. Mercedes-Benz star motif appears prominently in the lighting, including star-shaped elements in the headlights, and the electric GLA receives an illuminated front treatment that gives it a distinctive appearance after dark. Flush door handles contribute to the clean profile and aerodynamic work, while the longer wheelbase gives the vehicle more balanced proportions. The outgoing GLA could look slightly stubby from certain angles; the extra length gives the new model a more substantial stance without making it look heavy. Wheel sizes and exterior treatments will vary by configuration, but the overall design clearly places the GLA alongside the newest generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles rather than treating it as a warmed-over version of the current SUV.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz has given its smallest SUV technology that would have been flagship material not long ago. The available MBUX Superscreen stretches three displays across the dashboard, including a 10.3-inch driver display, a 14-inch central touchscreen and a separate 14-inch display for the front passenger. The latest MBUX system runs on Mercedes-Benz new operating architecture and uses advanced conversational technology to handle navigation, vehicle functions and information requests through more natural voice commands. The value of that technology will depend on how easily drivers can use it without taking their attention from the road. A complicated digital dashboard is not an improvement if basic functions require hunting through menus, and Mercedes-Benz has put considerable effort into making voice interaction a practical shortcut rather than a novelty.
The roof may be the most flamboyant part of the cabin. A large glass roof brings considerably more daylight inside, while available SKY CONTROL can alter its transparency. Mercedes-Benz has also incorporated illuminated stars into the roof, extending the star motif from the exterior lighting into the cabin. It is a conspicuous bit of theater in what remains the company’s smallest SUV, but the GLA has never had to behave like an economy model simply because it sits at the bottom of the Mercedes-Benz SUV range. Buyers shopping luxury vehicles increasingly expect the lighting, screens, audio and ambient features that once belonged exclusively to six-figure flagships.
The GLA 350 4MATIC Electric should be especially interesting in the Chicago area. Its dual-motor system brings all-wheel drive along with the stronger 349-horsepower output, giving drivers additional traction when roads turn snowy or icy. Proper winter tires remain important, but all-wheel drive is understandably attractive in a region where weather can change quickly and residential streets may remain messy long after the expressways have been cleared. The GLA’s compact dimensions are equally useful during the rest of the year. A vehicle that can handle winter weather without becoming cumbersome in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Evanston or a downtown parking garage occupies a useful niche.
The GLA 250+ Electric makes a different case. Drivers who place range and efficiency ahead of maximum performance may prefer its single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout. With 268 horsepower, it is hardly underpowered, and the absence of a second drive motor helps keep the emphasis on efficiency. Buyers who charge at home and primarily use the vehicle for commuting may find the GLA 250+ particularly appealing, while the 320-kW maximum charging capability gives it the hardware needed for occasional long trips. The choice between the two models is unusually straightforward: the GLA 250+ favors range, while the GLA 350 4MATIC adds power and all-wheel-drive traction.

Mercedes-Benz has also changed the way it presents its electric vehicles. Rather than placing the GLA Electric into a separate EQ family with its own unfamiliar model name and body, the electric drivetrain now sits directly inside the established GLA lineup. That makes sense for buyers. Someone who already likes the size and position of the GLA can choose an electric version without moving into a completely different branch of the Mercedes-Benz catalog. The exterior and interior also share their basic design with the new hybrid GLA, allowing the powertrain choice to remain exactly that: a powertrain choice.
The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric is expected to reach U.S. dealerships during the second half of 2027. Final American pricing and EPA range figures have not yet been announced, and U.S. equipment packages will become clearer as the launch approaches. The specifications Mercedes-Benz has already released give the GLA Electric a strong foundation: an 85-kWh battery, 800-volt architecture, charging at up to 320 kW, a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive and substantially more passenger room than before. For Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood customers interested in electric driving without moving into a large SUV, the redesigned GLA could be one of the most useful new Mercedes-Benz arrivals of 2027.
Features of the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric
GLA 250+ Electric
The rear-wheel-drive GLA 250+ Electric produces 268 horsepower and is configured with an emphasis on driving range and efficiency. It uses the larger 85-kWh NMC battery and the same 800-volt charging architecture as the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric.

GLA 350 4MATIC Electric
The GLA 350 4MATIC Electric adds a second electric motor and all-wheel drive, increasing output to 349 horsepower. Mercedes-Benz estimates 0-to-60-mph acceleration in 5.3 seconds.
85-kWh Battery
The GLA 250+ Electric and GLA 350 4MATIC Electric use an 85-kWh NMC battery. Official U.S. EPA range figures have not yet been released.
320-kW DC Fast Charging
The 800-volt electrical architecture supports DC charging at up to 320 kW at a compatible high-power charging station. Mercedes-Benz says approximately 167 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes under suitable conditions.
Larger Passenger Cabin
The redesigned GLA gains approximately 2.4 inches in wheelbase and roughly six inches in overall length, giving Mercedes-Benz additional room for passengers while keeping the vehicle relatively compact.
Available MBUX Superscreen
The available Superscreen combines a 10.3-inch driver display with a 14-inch central touchscreen and 14-inch front-passenger display.

Key Specifications
Model Year: 2028
Expected U.S. Arrival: Second half of 2027
U.S. Electric Models: GLA 250+ Electric and GLA 350 4MATIC Electric
GLA 250+ Output: 268 hp
GLA 350 4MATIC Output: 349 hp
GLA 350 0–60 MPH: 5.3 seconds
Battery: 85 kWh
Electrical Architecture: 800 volts
Maximum DC Fast-Charging Rate: 320 kW
Quick Answers
When is the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric coming to the United States?
The redesigned GLA Electric is expected to reach U.S. dealerships during the second half of 2027 as a 2028 model.
How much horsepower does the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric have?
The GLA 250+ Electric produces 268 horsepower. The dual-motor GLA 350 4MATIC Electric produces 349 horsepower.
Does the 2028 GLA Electric have all-wheel drive?
The GLA 350 4MATIC Electric has dual-motor all-wheel drive. The GLA 250+ Electric uses a single rear motor and rear-wheel drive
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric?
An official EPA range has not yet been announced. The GLA 250+ has been rated at up to approximately 408 miles under the European WLTP testing cycle. U.S. EPA testing uses a different methodology and is expected to produce a lower figure.
How quickly can the 2028 GLA Electric charge?
The 800-volt electrical system supports DC fast charging at up to 320 kW at a compatible station. Mercedes-Benz says approximately 167 miles of range can be added in about 10 minutes under appropriate conditions.
Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLA larger than the current model?
Yes. The redesigned GLA gains approximately 2.4 inches in wheelbase and roughly six inches in overall length, providing additional interior room.
Which GLA Electric makes the most sense for Chicago?
Expert Summary
The 2028 Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric gives Mercedes-Benz a thoroughly modern entry in the compact electric luxury SUV market. The GLA 250+ Electric combines 268 horsepower with a range-oriented rear-wheel-drive configuration, while the 349-horsepower GLA 350 4MATIC Electric adds dual-motor all-wheel drive. Both benefit from an 85-kWh battery, 800-volt architecture and charging speeds up to 320 kW. The longer wheelbase and expanded cabin address one of the outgoing GLA’s limitations without sacrificing the manageable dimensions that make the model useful around Chicago. For Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood customers waiting for a smaller electric Mercedes-Benz SUV, the 2028 GLA Electric should be an important arrival.