Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that the A-Class and B-Class are nearing the end of the road. The compact B-Class minivan will bow out in 2026 after three generations, while the A-Class is expected to stick around until 2028 before it, too, is retired.
Originally, the plan was to position the next-generation CLA as the brand’s new entry-level model once the A-Class disappeared. But that strategy has now been abandoned. Instead, Mercedes is preparing an indirect successor to the A-Class, though details remain under wraps.
The news comes straight from the source. Speaking to Automobilwoche, Mathias Geisen, Mercedes-Benz Board Member for Marketing and Sales, confirmed:
“We will be introducing further models based on our new MMA architecture after the CLA. Believe me, in the long run, there will be an entry-level model in the world of Mercedes-Benz.”
That statement settles it — the CLA won’t become Mercedes’ base offering. The brand is already cooking up something else to fill that role. But what shape will it take? While Mercedes hasn’t revealed specifics, German outlets speculate that the entry-level replacement could arrive as a crossover — a logical step given market trends.
If Mercedes does move forward with this entry-level model, it would likely slot beneath the GLA and GLB — a tiny crossover aimed squarely at younger buyers eager to step into Mercedes ownership without breaking the bank.
For context, the current A-Class hatchback starts at €34,252.13 ($40,305) in Germany, while the new all-electric CLA kicks off from €53,065.67 ($62,445). To bridge the gap, the CLA will also be offered in hybrid form. Still, the upcoming base Mercedes is expected to come in closer to the €30,000 (~$35,000) range, or possibly even lower, depending on final configuration.
Built on the same MMA architecture as the CLA, the newcomer should support a wide range of powertrains. Entry versions may rely on partially electrified small gasoline engines to keep costs down, while at least one fully electric variant seems almost certain. That said, nothing is confirmed yet — at this stage, it’s speculation as Mercedes has remained tight-lipped on specifics.
Another question mark surrounds the name. Unlike Audi, which has stirred some confusion with recent name changes, Mercedes has so far kept things straightforward. All of its SUVs and crossovers carry the “G” prefix — starting with the GLA and running up through the GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS, and the iconic G-Class. Where exactly this new model would fit into that naming convention is anyone’s guess. Could Mercedes introduce an all-new badge to signal its role as the gateway to the lineup? For now, that mystery remains unsolved.
