Mercedes Considering Replacing A-Class with Affordable Crossover
Mercedes’ entry-level sedan and hatchback will remain in production until 2028, after which a new model will debut on the CLA’s modular compact platform.
Mercedes-Benz is said to be developing a compact crossover to serve as the brand’s entry-level model alongside the new CLA-Class. Set to succeed the global A-Class—which was dropped from the U.S. market after 2022—this yet-to-be-named SUV will likely sit below the GLA and GLB. The move allows Mercedes to maintain a presence in the entry-level luxury segment and potentially turn first-time buyers into long-term brand loyalists.
Small Mercedes, Big Changes
When Mercedes-Benz unveiled its Modular Architecture (MMA) in 2023, the A-Class seemed destined for retirement, as the brand aimed to move upmarket with the more stylish and expensive CLA. However, strong demand for the hatchback and sedan in Europe has persuaded Mercedes to keep the entry-level A-Class in production through at least 2028. After that, the A-Class is expected to be discontinued, but according to recent reports from Carscoops, the automaker plans to replace it with an equally priced crossover—allowing first-time Mercedes buyers to stay in the lineup without having to jump straight to the CLA.
The upcoming crossover is expected to share the MMA platform with the sleek new CLA four-door, which could allow for all-electric, hybrid, or traditional internal combustion powertrains. If priced similarly to the European A-Class five-door, it would likely start around $42,000 (the hatchback currently retails for €34,252 in Germany). That would undercut the anticipated cost of the electric CLA 250+ by roughly $15,000, with an internal-combustion variant also planned—offering buyers a more practical and spacious alternative without a steep price jump.
The GLA and GLB Are Here to Stay
The A-Class–replacing crossover is unlikely to compete directly with the pricier two-row GLA or three-row GLB SUVs, which will also be built on the MMA platform. Mercedes plans to introduce two new battery-electric “entry” models in 2026—covering any vehicle with a name ending in A or B—alongside another internal-combustion model in the same lineup. Then, in 2027, a further electric entry model is expected. Sources suggest that next year’s debuts will be the GLA and GLB, with the GLA offered exclusively as an EV and the GLB available in both internal-combustion and electric versions.
Amid its ambitious rollout of new vehicles, Mercedes is also reportedly developing a “baby” G-Class. Unlike its unibody SUV siblings, this model will be a dedicated off-roader built on a unique body-on-frame platform. Sources indicate it will be fully electric and could debut in 2027 as part of the brand’s entry-level lineup—though Mercedes officially places the G-Class family at the top tier of its range.
2028: The Year of the Affordable Mercedes
As Mercedes prepares to retire the current A-Class, its crossover replacement is expected to arrive. According to Carscoops, the automaker plans to avoid any gap in its entry-level lineup, meaning the new vehicle should launch around the same time the A-Class hatch is discontinued—or possibly slightly before. The budget-friendly crossover will likely use a version of the MMA platform shared with the GLA, potentially scaled down to justify a lower price. Mercedes has been contacted for comment, and we will update this story if the company responds.
