Next-generation Mercedes A-Class to arrive in 2028 with petrol and electric power
Electrified A-Class will be on sale in the coming years, but petrol variants will remain on sale...
On sale 2028 Price from £33,000 (est)
In numerology, the number five means change, so it makes sense that the fifth-generation Mercedes A-Class will represent a massive shift from its predecessors.
While the A-Class has long been a staple on UK roads as a premium-badged family car, acting as the entry point into the Mercedes range, for its fifth generation, it will undergo a huge change to bring it in line with other models from the brand, introducing offering electric power for the first time.
In fact, the combustion A-Class had originally been slated to be taken off sale last year because the German brand planned to focus more on EVs. However, this has now been reversed, and a new generation of A-Class is due to arrive in 2028, offering both combustion and electric power.
Unlike the current A-Class, which sits on Mercedes’ Modular Front Architecture underpinnings, the new version will be based on the new MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform – the same as the new CLA. As seen on that car, the MMA platform can facilitate both mild hybrid and electric power options.
As such, it’s likely the A-Class will be technically similar to the CLA, with a choice of either a 58kWh or 85kWh (usable capacity) battery in EV versions. Power outputs are likely to range between around 200bhp to 349bhp in a four-wheel-drive variant.
In the CLA, official range figures vary from around 400 miles to 484 miles. A figure of around 400 miles is what we expect from the upcoming Audi A2 e-tron, which the new A-Class will count among its key rivals.
Combustion versions will use a 1.5-litre petrol engine bolstered by mild hybrid power, and there’s expected to be five different variants to choose from, producing between 154bhp and 209bhp. It’ll rival the next-generation Volkswagen Golf, which is also expected to be on sale in both ICE and electric forms.
It’s also anticipated that the A-Class will spawn some high-powered AMG variants down the line to succeed the A35 and A45 hot hatches. Power is tipped to top out at 500bhp in the electric versions of those cars.
In terms of styling, the next-gen A-Class is expected to keep its current hatchback shape to separate it from the CLA, with a slightly higher ride height to account for the elevated floor in the new EV.
Inside, it could receive similar styling to the CLA, with dual 10.3in screens for driver’s instruments and infotainment across the centre of the dashboard and behind the steering wheel. Most operations will likely be controlled through the touchscreen and touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel.
The next-generation Mercedes A-Class is expected to arrive in 2028. Pricing is a long way from being confirmed, but we’d expect them slightly higher than current models, at around £33,000 for the hybrid. Pricing for the EV could start at around £35,000, which would make the A-Class EV more expensive than the Audi A2 e-tron, which is tipped to cost under £30,000.
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