Big change coming to popular SUV

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA has been unwrapped ahead of its early 2027 debut, when the small premium SUV will rock up with a class-leading 657km range and some of Benz's latest EV tech.

The all-new Mercedes GLA is no longer a higher-riding A-Class, but is now more closely related to the latest CLA small sedan, sharing its latest MMA platform and advanced EV tech.

As well as being available with all-electric power, the compact SUV has also been engineered for mild-hybrid combustion engines that are set to arrive in the second half of next year.

Both electric and mild-hybrid versions of the GLA have been built to rival the Audi Q3/Q4 and the BMW X1 that also lands later next year.

Mercedes has equipped the battery-powered GLA with powerful 800-volt electrics for super-quick top-ups, with as much as 270km of range added in little more than 10 minutes thanks to fast-charging up to 320kW.

AC charging is up to 11kW, with faster 22kW top-ups an option.

A 10 to 80 per cent recharge takes between 20 to 22 minutes, ensuring the GLA should be among the quickest-charging small SUVs out there.

In Europe, just three powertrains will initially be offered. The GLA 200 comes with a single motor that pumps out 165kW and 335Nm and features a 58kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a range of up to 447km.

The mid-spec GLA 250+ remains rear-drive, but is combined with the larger 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery for the maximum 657km range, but delivers 200kW, while mustering the same amount of torque.

At the top of the EV tree is the GLA 350 4Matic that picks out 260kW and 515Nm of torque for a brisk 0-100km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds, gains dual motors and all-wheel drive, and can still cover up to 643km on the same WLTP test cycle.

Later on, a mid-spec 71kWh NMC battery will also join the line-up.

It has not yet been revealed what variants of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder 48-volt mild-hybrid will be offered on the GLA, but the small sedan comes with versions offering 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm, with both front- and all-wheel drive available.

Picking up where the recently launched GLB compact seven-seater left off, designers have tweaked the old car's slightly ungainly proportions to create a lower SUV (-20mm) with a longer wheelbase (+61mm) and wider rear track (+31mm), while the more muscular arches give the impression of a sportier car than before.

Fresh aerodynamic wheels that range from 18- to 20-inches hint at the advanced air bending at work that has reduced drag to around 0.27Cd, while the black plastic cladding on the arches and underbody suggests some off-road prowess.

Up front, like the latest C-Class Electric, there's a large dominant chrome-framed grille that is illuminated with 608 dots of lights.

In some high-grade models, the grille frame features an LED light strip that is combined with a central star, which also glows.

Those stars reappear within the headlamps, with the optional Multibeam LED lamps gaining star-shaped daytime running lights.

Sportier AMG Line models ramp up the styling with a smoked chrome grille and a different front bumper that gets more aggressive air intakes and a lower splitter. There's the choice of gloss black AMG 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels.

A further AMG Plus pack adds a spoiler and door sills, as well as different 20-inch alloy wheels that come finished in gloss black.

Base spec models come with heated comfort seats wrapped in fabric and fake leather, while the AMG Line trim adds sports seats and steering wheel, plus shift paddles and brushed stainless-steel pedals.

Thanks to a more generous 2790mm wheelbase (+61mm), the driver and front passenger have 7mm more legroom than before, with occupants in the second row getting an additional 38mm.

Even though it's lower, the GLA gains 24mm extra headroom in the second row, while the boot is 70 litres bigger at 410 litres, with the EV versions boasting a generous 107 litre frunk up front.

Mirroring bigger, more expensive Benz models, the panoramic roof can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button and can even be specified with up to 172 illuminated stars.

As well as more space, the overall impression of the GLA is just how much big car tech has been squeezed into the brand's entry SUV.

Like the CLA sedan, the GLA comes with the optional MBUX Superscreen, which spans the entire width of the dash, blending a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch infotainment system and 14-inch passenger display all placed behind a single piece of glass.

Running the car-maker's latest software, highlights include a virtual assistant that has been enhanced by ChatGPT, Bing and Gemini that combined are said to provide a natural, intuitive conversation that can even help you remember a song title or artist, even if you can't.

Front passengers can also use their own screen to stream YouTube or watch movies, while a powerful 16-speaker Burmester 3D 850-watt premium sound system can focus the sound to individual passengers, creating a quiet zone for the driver.

More fresh tech includes a new Terrain mode for the all-wheel drive 4Matic versions that boosts traction on dirt, sand and mud, plus an optional transparent bonnet that provides a camera view of any obstacles that lurk beneath or ahead of the driver.

With the GLA equipped with up to eight cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, plus a powerful supercomputer, the GLA can auto-steer, lane-keep, brake, accelerate and even change lanes by itself on the move, following a simple tap on the indicator stalk.

Auto-parking is a highlight, with tech that even helps prevent nasty kerb strikes while slowly manoeuvring.

On sale in Europe from this November, with the mild-hybrids joining the line-up in early 2027, it's thought the Mercedes-Benz GLA will land in Australia from early next year, when the most affordable EV version is expected to be priced from around $70,000 plus on-roads.