Now that the CLA has been out for over a year, Mercedes-Benz is forging forward with its “biggest ever product launch campaign” with the debut of its crossover sibling, the all-new third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA, set for July 29, 2026.
There’s virtually zero info available yet for the compact crossover, although it’s widely believed to follow in the same footsteps as the CLA, which means an electric-first lineup (thus also replacing the EQA), built on the same Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform.
The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA will also inherit many design touches from its latest stablemates, according to spyshots of its prototype undergoing testing previously. You’ll find the tall illuminated grille in front that first debuted on the all-new C-Class, and the same gratuitous use of three-pointed stars throughout its lighting elements too.
Compared to the outgoing model, though, it appears that the third-gen model will transition back to a more elongated silhouette, more in line with the first-generation model. Inside, spyshots have also revealed that it’ll mirror the CLA’s new MBUX Superscreen setup, with three screens across the dashboard covered by a single flat plane of glass.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA will be the fourth and final entry (after the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLB) into the company’s renewed compact lineup, and should also feature similar powertrain setups as the other models within the range.
Launching first will be the EV, featuring the marque’s 800V electric architecture. On the CLA, it’s available with either a 58.5 kWh LFP or 85 kWh NMC battery pack, the latter providing up to 792 km (WLTP) of range on the swoopier sedan.
A single motor on the CLA250+ provides up to 272 hp and 335 Nm to the rear wheels, while the 350 4Matic configuration gets an additional motor in front for a total output of 354 hp and 515 Nm.
Petrol-powered hybrid versions should come at a later date, and will feature a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, likely sourced from Horse powertrain, a Geely-Renault joint venture company. It’ll be paired to an electric motor housed within an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, alongside a small 1.3 kWh battery pack, providing a boost of up to 27 hp when required.
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