Mercedes-Benz GLA EV Debuts with 657km Range and 800V Charging Tech

According to EV Central, Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off the GLA EV — a compact electric SUV promising up to 657km of WLTP range, 320kW DC fast charging, and an 800-volt architecture shared with the recently revealed CLA EV. Locked in for an Australian arrival during 2027, it will replace today's EQA and take aim at the BMW iX1, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Volvo EX40. Australian pricing is still under wraps, but with the EQA currently starting from $80,700 plus on-road costs, this is the new entry point buyers should benchmark.

Three trims, one wide range spread

The entry-level GLA 200 Electric pairs a rear-mounted 165kW motor with a 58kWh lithium iron phosphate battery for a claimed 394–447km WLTP range. Step up to the GLA 250+ Electric and you get a larger 85kWh nickel manganese cobalt pack, pushing output to 200kW and WLTP range to 577–657km. The flagship GLA 350 4MATIC Electric adds a second motor for 260kW and 515Nm, a 5.4-second 0–100km/h time, and 555–643km of range. If Mercedes-Benz Australia keeps the EQA's pricing as a floor, expect the long-range GLA 250+ to push comfortably past $85,000 once a typical option package is tallied out the door.

What 800V really changes on the road

The headline charging figure is 320kW on the larger-battery variants. Under ideal conditions, Mercedes claims 240–270km of additional range in just 10 minutes — enough to erase range anxiety on a Sydney-to-Canberra grocery run or a weekend away. An optional converter opens up older 400V public fast chargers, while AC tops out at 22kW. One thing worth confirming at launch: whether the 58kWh LFP entry model charges at the same 320kW peak or steps down noticeably.

Practicality gains you can measure

The new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) stretches the wheelbase 61mm over the outgoing GLA, opening up noticeably more rear legroom and headroom. Boot capacity climbs to 410 litres, with an additional 107-litre front storage compartment on electric versions — useful for stashing charging cables or a soft bag. For buyers towing a small caravan or a bike rack, the dual-motor GLA 350 4MATIC is rated to haul up to two tonnes braked, putting it among the more capable compact electric SUVs in the segment. Inside, the optional MBUX Superscreen stretches almost the full width of the dashboard.

What to watch before putting down a deposit

Australian specifications, trims, and pricing remain TBA. Cross-shoppers should keep an eye on the Volvo EX50, which Automotive News reports will replace the EX40 in the US for 2027 as a bigger, cheaper entry-level EV — a useful fallback if the GLA's sticker price stretches the budget. Real-world charging tests and independent range verification are also worth waiting for before committing.