New Mercedes electric GLA unveiled: Powerful EV with charging and standard equipment limitations
Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter for electric mobility in the compact segment. The third-generation GLA moves away from the previous EQ naming strategy and will launch in November 2026 as a completely redesigned electric vehicle based on the MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform.
The EV grows to a length of 4.57 metres and offers noticeably more interior space thanks to an extended wheelbase. It also features a practical front trunk (frunk) under the front hood with 107 litres of additional storage capacity for charging cables. Mercedes-Benz lists a curb weight of slightly more than 2.14 tonnes for the entry-level model.
The official specifications and technical data look impressive at first glance. The range-focused GLA 250+ electric produces 200 kW and uses an 85 kWh NMC battery to achieve up to 657 kilometres of WLTP range. The all-wheel-drive GLA 350 4Matic delivers 260 kW (354 hp) and can tow up to 2.0 tonnes.
Thanks to its modern 800-volt architecture, charging performance is also a key feature: at suitable high-power charging stations, the NMC battery can charge at up to 320 kW peak power. This reduces the charging time from 10 to 80 percent to around 21 minutes, while a ten-minute charging stop can add up to 270 kilometres of range.
However, the charging system reveals two less obvious limitations hidden in the options list. Surprisingly, Mercedes does not include a factory-installed DC booster (DC voltage converter) as standard. The required DC charging system for 400-volt charging stations (up to 100 kW) costs an additional €654.50. This component is necessary to charge the EV at many widely used 400-volt fast chargers at the expected speed.
Buyers who do not select this option may face significantly reduced charging speeds at 400-volt stations or may not be able to fast-charge at all. The same applies to AC charging. From the factory, charging via a home wallbox, public AC chargers or supermarket charging points is limited to 11 kW. A faster 22 kW onboard AC charger is also available only as an extra-cost option, with Mercedes charging another €654.50 for it.
The entry-level GLA 200 electric, which Mercedes-Benz lists from €48,599.60, also requires a closer look at the specifications. Instead of the larger NMC battery, this version uses a smaller 58 kWh battery with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell chemistry. While the LFP battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 20 minutes at up to 200 kW, the maximum driving range is limited to 445 kilometres.
One disadvantage of LFP batteries becomes apparent in cold conditions: at freezing temperatures, range losses of up to 35 percent can occur, reducing the real-world range to below 300 kilometres in everyday use. At present, Mercedes-Benz offers the GLA 200 electric Style with a vehicle price of €46,169.62 in its base configuration (as of July 31, 2026).
Inside, the optional new MBUX Superscreen dominates almost the entire width of the dashboard. Physical climate-control buttons are almost completely absent. With popular option packages, the price of the electric SUV can quickly exceed €65,000. Deliveries of the fully electric versions are scheduled to begin at the end of 2026, while electrified hybrid models with 48-volt technology will follow in early 2027.
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