Key highlights
- Mercedes confirms A-Class successor will arrive in 2028 with both EV and ICE options.
- Built on the MMA platform, shared with CLA, GLA, and GLB.
- Targets rivals like BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, and the upcoming VW ID. Golf.
Turns out the Mercedes A-Class hatchback isn’t heading for the history books just yet. The brand has confirmed a successor will debut in 2028, and here’s the twist, it won’t be an EV-only experiment. Buyers will get the choice of both electric and petrol power, keeping the hatch relevant in a segment that’s still figuring out its identity.
The new car will sit on the versatile MMA platform, the same foundation that underpins the next-gen CLA and GLA. This setup allows Mercedes to balance development costs while offering drivetrain flexibility. In other words, one platform, two personalities, ICE for those who aren’t ready to plug in, and EV for markets that demand it.
What to expect
While details are thin, insiders suggest the car will keep its classic hatchback proportions but with a sharper stance—low, wide, and slightly stretched to free up cabin space. Think GLA proportions, but sleeker.
Highlights of the MMA platform include:
- Support for both ICE and EV powertrains.
- Shared architecture with CLA sedan/estate, GLA, and GLB.
- Optimized for flexibility and cost efficiency.
On the EV front, the hatch will square off against Volkswagen’s ID. Golf, while the ICE versions will continue their long-standing duel with the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Mercedes wants to keep one foot in today and the other in tomorrow.
Why this move matters
Mercedes has spent the last few years chasing fat margins with its bigger, glitzier models. But with global sales dipping 6% and EV sales slumping 19% in the first half of 2025, the brand is clearly recalibrating. Volume still matters—and the A-Class is the kind of car that keeps younger buyers and new markets in the fold.
By offering both ICE and EV power, Mercedes avoids alienating buyers in regions where charging infrastructure is patchy.
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