Hybrid power back on the menu at Mercedes

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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e
Dom Tripolone
News Editor
21 Jul 2025
2 min read

Mercedes-Benz is embracing the hybrid life.

The German brand was an early adopter of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) tech before going cold on the petrol-electric combo several years ago to focus on full electric vehicles.

Not anymore, though, as plug-in hybrid variants come streaming back into Australia wearing the three-pointed star badge.

Benz has just launched the GLA 250e in Australia, joining the C350e in the brand’s growing range of plug-in hybrids. Even the vaunted C63 muscle car now comes with plug-in hybrid power instead of witha rumbling V8.

The GLA 250e is priced from $78,000 (before on-road costs), which is cheaper than the petrol-powered GLA 250.

The GLA 250e pairs a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver combined outputs of 160kW and 450Nm.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e

Mercedes-Benz claims the GLA 250e can drive up to 65km on electric power alone thanks to its 11.5kWh battery.

It can be charged via AC power at a max rate of 3.7kW, which is fine as it is a small battery and will easily fill up overnight when connected to a regular household power outlet.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250e

Owners who want faster charging can upgrade it to 11kW capacity for $800.

Some of the equipment highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, wireless device charging and metallic paint.

Dom Tripolone
News Editor
Dom is Sydney born and raised and one of his earliest memories of cars is sitting in the back seat of his dad's BMW coupe that smelled like sawdust. He aspired to be a newspaper journalist from a young age and started his career at the Sydney Morning Herald working in the Drive section before moving over to News Corp to report on all things motoring across the company's newspapers and digital websites. Dom has embraced the digital revolution and joined CarsGuide as News Editor, where he finds joy in searching out the most interesting and fast-paced news stories on the brands you love. In his spare time Dom can be found driving his young son from park to park.
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