Mercedes-Benz GLA Electric Review & Prices

The Mercedes GLA is back in its third generation, but where its predecessors were petrol- and diesel-only, you can now have the small, upmarket SUV in electric guise. It’s certainly striking and full of clever tech, but the screen-heavy interior and massive front grille won’t be for everyone.

It’s mechanically similar to the seven-seater GLB Electric, but in a smaller and slightly sleeker package, making it the iPad Mini to its iPad-esque counterpart. The tech under the skin is the same, but in a slightly easier-to-handle package.

You might consider the GLA as an option instead of the CLA Electric saloon, or cross-shop it against the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1 and the sporty Cupra Tavascan. The Peugeot E-3008 is sleeker and larger, while the Skoda Elroq is similarly-sized and brilliant, even as the budget-friendly pick of the punch.

Only the Peugeot will turn heads as much as the little Benz on the school run, though. With its oversized grille (in line with the new GLC Electric and C-Class Electric), the GLA is certainly striking. The pronounced wheel arches and aviator-esque taillights are fairly neat, but it’s hard to notice any other details past the whopping front end - especially lit up at night.

The interior is even more arresting, though again, that’s not necessarily a good thing. As with the aforementioned CLA and GLB, the GLA’s dashboard is made up entirely of displays and gloss black plastic, straddled by a pair of large air vents. Within the expanse of blackness you’ll find a 14.0-inch infotainment display, a 10.3-inch instrument screen and a third 14.0-inch number for one lucky passenger, should you splurge on a range-topping model.

Mercedes has lengthened and widened the GLA over the older model, which was already one of the more spacious small SUVs of this size. That bodes well for interior space in the new model, and if it’s anything like the CLA and GLB, there will be plenty of storage cubbies to lose things in, too. The 410-litre boot may be down compared to the BMW iX1 (490 litres) and Audi Q4 e-tron (515 litres) on paper, but the 107-litre front boot comfortably makes up the deficit.

Batteries come in 58kWh and 85kWh sizes, with a range of up to 408 miles when equipped with the latter. A medium-sized 71kWh battery, splitting the difference, is due down the line.

With its mechanical similarities to the GLB there’s a chance it might be a bit uncomfortable around town, but as it’s smaller it might be as refined as the CLA instead. Either way, we’ll give you a proper verdict on the way the GLA Electric drives once we get behind the wheel.

In the meantime, check out the latest Mercedes GLA Electric deals and lease offers on Carwow, as well as a range of used GLA and other used Mercedes models through our trusted dealer network. Remember, you can sell your current car through Carwow, too.

Mercedes has yet to announce UK pricing for the GLA Electric, but it starts at the equivalent of £34,000 in Germany. Once it reaches British shores (and the associated costs that come with that) it’s feasible that the GLA will be priced somewhere in between the £37,000 BMW iX1 and the £46,000 Mercedes GLB Electric and Audi Q4 e-tron.