Mercedes unveiled its all-new electric and hybrid GLA yesterday with a cabin dominated by a spectacular wall of screens. But head over to the German configurator with €48,599.60 ($55,640) and dreams of ordering a basic GLA 200, and Mercedes has a little reminder that you didn’t spend enough.

What looks like one enormous pillar-to-pillar display is actually three separate screens housed behind a continuous glass panel. The digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen are standard, but the passenger display above the glovebox isn’t.

Related: Mercedes-AMG Is Killing Its Best 4-Cylinder Hot Hatch And Charging $90,500 For The Goodbye

Leave the third-screen option unticked and Mercedes fills the resulting void with a glossy black panel illuminated by dozens of three-pointed stars. It actually looks pretty smart, though being confronted by a constellation of Mercedes badges every time you climb aboard will always remind you that you didn’t spring for the full setup.

And the 221 hp (224 PS / 165 kW) GLA 200 isn’t alone in making you feel like a skinflint. The 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW) GLA 250 and even the 349 hp (354 PS / 260 kW) GLA 350 also miss out on the passenger display as standard. It’s possible however, that a top-dog AMG 45 version coming later and using the new 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW) CLA 45’s triple-motor powertrain, might get it for free.

Superscreen Bait And Switch

The MBUX Superscreen option is listed at €1,160.25 ($1,330) on the German GLA configurator, and you can have it on every model including the lowly GLA 200. It’s not cheap, but also not likely to make too much of a difference to your monthly payment, so we can imagine a few buses being tempted. Click to add it, though, and the configurator demands you also add the €226.10 ($259) three-year Digital Entertainment package plus the €2,796.50 ($3,200) Advanced Plus Package with Digital Extras.

The latter adds more tangible luxuries including flush door handles, heated seats, four-way lumbar adjustment, ambient lighting and wireless smartphone charging. Add all three packages together and your supposedly €1,160.25 Superscreen has actually relieved you of €4,182.85 ($4,789).

Zero Benefit For Drivers

The third infotainment display can stream video, with audio routed through headphones or the GLA’s speakers. But Mercedes prevents drivers from enjoying an unauthorized movie night behind the wheel. If the car detects the driver looking at video playing on the passenger screen for more than two seconds, it blanks the image. When the passenger seat is empty, drivers can choose from various backgrounds to stop that expensive display sitting there doing nothing.

Mercedes

We’re guessing most buyers won’t spec the third screen, and it won’t be the end of the world. Those illuminated stars arguably look better than a boring plain black panel, and probably better than an unused screen covered in greasy finger marks. But Mercedes’ glamorous launch images certainly aren’t showing you what €48,599.60 really buys.

Mercedes styling is pretty hit or miss these days, but the company scored a solid double with the redesigned GLA. It goes up for order tomorrow in Europe, while a US launch is scheduled for the second half of 2027.

Looking far more stylish and upscale than its predecessor, the crossover adopts the company’s new “iconic grille.” It’s larger than before an offers optional illumination.

More: New Mercedes GLB Arrives With Electric Power And AI

The grille is flanked by standard LED headlights that feature a chrome-plated star design. On models equipped with the optional Multibeam LED headlights, the daytime running lights are shaped like a star.

Moving further back, there’s streamlined bodywork, flush-mounted door handles, and pronounced cladding. They’re joined by muscular rear haunches and 18- to 20-inch wheels.

The sportier styling continues at the rear end, where the license plate recess has moved from the liftgate to the bumper. The model also sports squared off taillights that are connected by a slender bar.

The exact look varies and there will be AMG Line, AMG Line Plus, and Night Edition packages. The latter has a Cosmos Black Magno exterior with high-gloss black accents and black 20-inch wheels. They’re joined by two-tone sport seats, illuminated door sill plates, and Dark Shadow flourishes.

In terms of size, the redesigned GLA measures 179.7 inches (4,565 mm) long, 73.7 inches (1,873 mm) wide, and 63.1 inches (1,604 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 109.8 inches (2,790 mm). This means the model is 6.1 inches (155 mm) longer and has an extra 2.4 inches (61 mm) between the wheels.

An Interior Dominated By Screens

The cabin largely carries over from the CLA and this means buyers will find a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a big blank section with star graphics.

The latter serves as a permanent reminder of your cheapness and nudges customers to buy the optional MBUX Superscreen. It adds a 14-inch front passenger display that provides access to more than 40 apps including Disney+ and YouTube.

On the topic of options, Mercedes offers a Sky Control panoramic roof that can go from transparent to opaque in a matter of milliseconds. Customers can also get a 16-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system – among other things.

Thanks to the increased dimensions, occupants will find a roomier cabin. There’s an additional 0.3 inches (7 mm) of legroom up front, while the back seat adds up to 1.5 inches (38 mm). Mercedes also noted there’s an extra 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rear seat headroom as well.

On the topic of space, the boot now holds 14.5 cubic feet (410 liters) of luggage and that’s an increase of 2.5 cubic feet (70 liters). It can be expanded to 49.4 cubic feet (1,400 liters) by folding the rear seats down and there’s a 3.8 liter (107 liter) frunk on electric variants.

Electric Powertrains

The GLA will be offered with a bewildering number of powertrains and kicking things off is the GLA 200 Electric. It features a 58 kWh LFP battery as well as a rear-mounted motor producing 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque.

This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.1 seconds, before topping out at 130 mph (210 km/h). Buyers can also expect a WLTP range of 245 – 278 miles (394 – 447 km).

When the battery is low, a 200 kW DC fast charging capability can take it from 10-80% in as little as 20 minutes. If that’s too long, a ten minute charge can deliver 103 miles (165 km) of range.

The mid-level GLA 250+ Electric has a beefier motor producing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, the crossover hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.3 seconds, but the top speed is unchanged at 130 mph (210 km/h).

Buyers will also find a beefier 85 kWh NMC battery, which delivers 359 – 408 miles (577 – 657 km) of range. The model also has an upgraded 320 kW DC fast charging capability, which delivers 168 miles (270 km) of range in ten minutes.

Sitting at the top of the electric lineup is the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric. It has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. 62 mph (100 km/h) comes in just 5.4 seconds, while the top speed remains 130 mph (210 km/h). Range also takes a slight hit as it drops to 345 – 400 miles (555 – 643 km).

The United States will only be getting the 250+ and 350 4MATIC variants. However, Mercedes also announced a fourth variant is coming in 2027 with a 71 kWh NMC battery.

Hybrid Power Arrives Next Year

Besides the EVs, Mercedes confirmed plans for hybrid variants with front- and all-wheel drive. The company didn’t say much about them, but noted they’ll have a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, a 1.3 kWh battery pack, and a 30 hp (22 kW / 30 PS) electric motor integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

While Mercedes is playing coy, the powertrains should carryover from the CLA. This means there could be a GLA 200 with a combined maximum output of 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) as well as a GLA 220 with 217 hp (162 kW / 220 PS).

It’s also worth noting the GLA will be offered with the new MB.Drive Assist system that provides a “state-of-the-art” Level 2 semi-autonomous driving experience.