3 Minutes
Mercedes' next GLA peers out from behind CGI camouflage
Mercedes-Benz is restructuring its small-SUV lineup — and the 2027 GLA will be an important piece of the puzzle. Recent spy shots and high-quality CGI concepts from Kolesa and digital artist Nikita "kelsonik" Chuicko give the clearest preview yet of the third-generation GLA, showing how Mercedes might blend electric ambition with mainstream crossover practicality.
What we learned from the renders
The virtual renderings strip away heavy test camouflage to reveal a design that feels like a hybrid of the current GLA and the latest CLA sedan. Expect a familiar compact crossover silhouette updated with sharper headlights, a prominent grille inspired by the new GLC with EQ Technology, and a taillight treatment that riffs on a three-pointed-star LED motif stretching across the rear.
While these images are unofficial, they line up with what Mercedes has been signaling at recent launches: a strong visual tie between internal-combustion and electric models, plus a new cabin language that could migrate across the range.
Platform, powertrains and positioning
Under the skin, the 2027 GLA is widely expected to move onto the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) — the same foundation underpinning the new CLA with EQ Technology. That means the GLA will likely be offered with both electric and hybrid options rather than full internal-combustion engines.
Key takeaway on powertrains:
- EV variants are likely, sharing technology with the CLA EQ family.
- ICE offerings will probably be hybrid-only (mild or plug-in hybrid setups).
- Mercedes could tune differing outputs to position the GLA below the GLB and above the A-Class-derived models.
Design details to watch
The CGI interpretation highlights three notable styling cues: CLA-like headlamps, a large grille echoing the GLC EQ design, and a rear light graphic that incorporates circular elements spreading across the tail. The overall profile retains the compact proportions buyers expect from a premium entry-level crossover but with a more assertive, tech-forward face.
Those changes are more than cosmetic — they signal Mercedes’ intention to create a recognizable family look across EV and hybrid models, helping the GLA stand out in the crowded compact-SUV market.
Where the 2027 GLA fits in the market
Mercedes is juggling tradition and electrification: bringing back tactile controls in some models while pushing pillar-to-pillar screens in others. The 2027 GLA will be marketed as an accessible premium crossover that offers the option to go electric without jumping to a larger, more expensive EV like the EQC/GLC EQ derivatives.
Quote: "The new GLA looks set to bridge everyday usability with Mercedes’ evolving electric identity," says a market analyst familiar with compact premium segments.
Highlights
- Shared MMA platform with the new CLA EQ
- Both hybrid and fully electric variants expected
- Design blends CLA and GLC EQ styling cues
While official details and specifications are still pending Mercedes’ announcements, the CGI previews give a convincing preview of a GLA that could be both practical for urban buyers and tech-forward enough to compete in the growing compact EV and hybrid crossover class.
Source: autoevolution
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