2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e PHEV Mixes Luxury with Efficiency

Mercedes-Benz has added another string to its electrified bow with the launch of the 2025 GLA 250 e Plug-in Hybrid , a refined, feature-rich compact luxury SUV that lets you have your efficiency cake and eat it too—with a bit of caviar on the side. Sitting pretty in the GLA range between the internal combustion-only variants and the fully electric options, the GLA 250 e is for drivers who want the best of both worlds: electric serenity for the weekday commute and turbocharged petrol reassurance for the weekend away.

It lands in Australia with a Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price (MRLP) of $78,000, and it’s available to order both online and through Mercedes-Benz retailers from 17 July 2025. Yes, it’s posh. Yes, it’s practical. And yes, it’s part of Benz’s ever-growing electrified stable, right alongside the C 350 e and its cousins from the EQ family.

A Hybrid with Bite and Brains

Under the sculpted bonnet sits a sophisticated plug-in hybrid system pairing a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 120kW with an electric motor, combining to deliver a system output of 160kW and 450Nm. That’s more than enough oomph to dart through traffic, merge onto highways without drama, and leave slower SUVs staring at your signature star-shaped tail lamps.

The 11.5kWh lithium-ion battery offers up to 65km of electric-only range (WLTP), enough for most daily errands or commutes without firing up the engine. When more range is needed, the switch to petrol is seamless, handled by the hybrid control system smoother than a drag queen’s contouring. It’s electric motoring without the anxiety, and petrol driving without the guilt.

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ABOVE: 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e plug-in hybrid

Charging for the Real World

Mercedes-Benz includes two charging cables as standard—one for home sockets and one for faster wallboxes or public infrastructure. Out of the box, the car supports 3.7kW AC charging, which is perfectly fine if you’re plugging in overnight. But if you’ve got access to three-phase power and want to speed things up, you can opt for the upgraded 11kW AC charging system for $800 MRLP, slashing top-up times and keeping your schedule on track.

Standard Features: All Class, No Compromise

This isn’t some stripped-out hybrid pretending to be posh. The GLA 250 e arrives with a full suite of high-end kit, including:

PROGRESSIVE Line styling
18-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof (a must for Sydney beach runs or Melbourne café crawls)
360-degree camera with Parking Package
KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package
Heated and memory front seats trimmed in ARTICO man-made leather
Ambient lighting in mood-enhancing colours
THERMOTRONIC dual-zone climate control with rear vents
Wireless phone charging
Tinted heat-insulating glass
Blind Spot Assist with exit warning
Active Lane Keeping Assist
DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control
PARKTRONIC active parking assistance

The cockpit is just as clever as it is comfortable. Hybrid-specific screens offer visualisations like power flow, energy consumption histograms, and EV range—all displayed on the crisp digital instrument cluster and MBUX central display.

Optional Extras for the Extra Fancy

Of course, Mercedes knows that some of us like our cars the way we like our brunch: loaded. That’s where the AMG Line Package and Plus Package come into play.

The AMG Line Package ($2,500 MRLP) dials up the visual and dynamic drama, adding sports seats, AMG-branded floor mats, a Nappa leather sports steering wheel, sports brakes, galvanised gearshift paddles, and lowered comfort suspension. It’s more aggressive without being obnoxious—a little like a gay icon in a business meeting.
The Plus Package ($3,847 MRLP), available only when bundled with AMG Line, really piles on the tech. You get the Burmester® Surround Sound System, a head-up display, MBUX Augmented Reality navigation, MULTIBEAM LED lighting, illuminated door sills, and the full Driving Assistance Package.

Altogether, it’s enough to turn the GLA 250 e from a smart, efficient crossover into a cutting-edge luxury lounge on wheels.

Plug-In with Purpose

The GLA 250 e is more than just a box-ticking exercise in electrification. It’s a thoughtful offering that understands real-world Australian driving: the desire to lower emissions without ditching long-distance flexibility, to enjoy premium comforts without guzzling fuel like a V8 on a bender.

And it’s perfectly sized for Aussie urbanites—compact enough to slot into tight city parks, but still roomy enough inside to ferry your friends, fur babies or a full farmers’ market haul with ease.

For those not ready—or not able—to go fully electric, the plug-in hybrid offers a neat middle ground. You can drive emissions-free most days, fill up with petrol for the occasional road trip, and still enjoy the prestige and polish Mercedes-Benz is known for.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e Plug-In Hybrid makes a compelling case for hybrid luxury. It’s sleek, sensible and satisfyingly premium, with all the toys and none of the range anxiety. Whether you’re looking for eco-cred or just something stylish to roll up to brunch in, this GLA hits the mark.

Australia may be slow on EV infrastructure, but this PHEV is a savvy choice right now—part-electric, part-petrol, all class.

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