Mercedes-Benz Announces the All-New GLA as Its Compact SUV Enters a New Chapter

Quebec drivers waiting on the next compact luxury SUV finally have something concrete to look at. Mercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new GLA for the 2028 model year, and it brings a genuinely different design, cabin, and powertrain lineup rather than a light refresh.

This isn’t a rumour roundup. The details below come from the official reveal, so you can start narrowing down what matters to you before the GLA reaches Canadian dealers.

What’s Confirmed Now

The 2028 GLA carries a longer wheelbase, at 2,790 mm, and an overall length of 4,565 mm, adding a more planted, expressive stance to the compact SUV shape. Mercedes-Benz calls this a new chapter for the nameplate, and the changes back that up: a lower, wider silhouette, flush-mounted wheels, and an available illuminated iconic grille that had never appeared on a GLA before.

Inside, the cabin moves toward a cleaner, brighter layout. A standard fixed panoramic roof and a redesigned dashboard bring more light into the cabin, while an optional MBUX Superscreen spans the width of the dash. Front legroom grows by 7 mm and headroom increases by 23 mm, small numbers that add up to a noticeably roomier front row.

The biggest confirmed shift is the powertrain approach. The GLA now offers a choice between two all-electric models and a high-tech hybrid, positioning it as a compact SUV built around electrification rather than combustion first.

Powertrain Lineup and Key Specs

The electric side of the lineup has two models. The GLA 250+ Electric produces 268 hp with rear-wheel drive, while the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric makes 349 hp with all-wheel drive and reaches 100 km/h from a stop in 5.4 seconds. Both share an 85-kWh NMC battery and an 800-volt architecture that supports DC fast charging up to 320 kW, with a 10-80 percent charge taking about 10 minutes.

The hybrid path is built differently. A newly developed 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pairs with a 30-hp electric motor integrated directly into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, drawing from a 48-volt, 1.3-kWh battery. In city driving, under certain conditions, the GLA hybrid can run on electric power alone. At speeds over 100 km/h, the drivetrain can disengage for electric coasting, while recuperation, up to 25 kW, happens across all eight gears whenever the drivetrain is engaged.

The electric GLA’s headline number is range: up to 657 km on the preliminary WLTP cycle, with 270 km of range added in roughly ten minutes at an 800-volt DC fast charger. For Quebec drivers who mix daily commuting with weekend trips outside the city, that combination reduces how often a route needs to be planned around charging stops.

What Matters for Shoppers Now

The electric and hybrid paths serve different buyers, and the GLA is built to let each pick without compromise. Someone doing longer highway stretches gains from the 800-volt charging speed and the range cushion of the 250+ or 350 4MATIC. Someone who mostly drives around town, and isn’t ready to go fully electric, gets meaningful electric-assist mileage from the hybrid without changing habits.

Navigation intelligence is part of that usability story. MBUX Navigation with Electric Intelligence, built on Google technology, plans routes that include charging stops when the electric GLA needs them, and adjusts dynamically to traffic. For a province with real distances between cities, that kind of route planning removes some of the guesswork around longer electric trips.

Space and practicality carry over into daily use. The split-folding 40/20/40 rear seats create a nearly flat load floor, and the electric GLA adds a frunk for extra storage, useful for errands, luggage, or gear that doesn’t need to go in the main cabin. Rear-seat legroom grows by 38 mm over the outgoing model, a real difference for anyone regularly carrying passengers.

On the technology side, the cabin adds a 14-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch driver display as standard reference points, with the option to add a passenger display and the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System’s 16 speakers. Ambient lighting and the MBUX Virtual Assistant round out a cabin built around a more premium in-car experience.

• Two all-electric models: 268-hp GLA 250+ Electric (RWD) and 349-hp GLA 350 4MATIC Electric (AWD)
• High-tech hybrid: 1.5L turbo four-cylinder plus 30-hp electric motor assist
• Up to 657 km electric range and 320 kW DC fast charging (preliminary WLTP)

Availability and Next Steps for Quebec Buyers

The all-new GLA was revealed in August 2026 and is set to arrive at Canadian dealerships in the second half of 2027. Exact configurations and ordering details for Quebec will be confirmed as that window approaches.

For drivers tracking this launch, the direction is already clear: a longer wheelbase, a brighter and more refined cabin, and a genuine electric-or-hybrid choice built for the mix of city driving and highway distance that defines a lot of Quebec commuting and travel.

Planning Ahead for the 2028 GLA

The 2028 GLA pairs a redesigned cabin and longer proportions with a powertrain lineup built around two distinct paths: all-electric range and charging speed, or hybrid efficiency for everyday city use.

Contact Mercedes-Benz Laval in Laval to ask about electric and hybrid configurations, timing, and availability updates as more details on the 2028 GLA become available for Canadian shoppers.