Mercedes Trims Its EV Lineup as New CLA and GLB Take the Stage

Mercedes-Benz is reshuffling its electric offerings for the US market, and the 2027 model year will mark the end of the road for a handful of battery-powered and plug-in models. According to a company spokesperson, the EQE sedan — including the high-performance AMG variant — is being retired once the 2027 model year arrives. The move signals a broader pivot as Mercedes shifts its electric strategy toward a fresher, more advanced platform.

The cuts go beyond the EQE sedan. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, a flagship electric model with a starting price around $180,000, is also being dropped. Joining it on the chopping block is the Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance, a high-output plug-in hybrid that carries a similar six-figure price tag. Meanwhile, the standard EQS sedan and SUV will stay in the catalog for now, though next-generation replacements are expected to arrive before long.

The reasoning behind the shakeup is fairly straightforward. The EQ family represented Mercedes’ first serious push into dedicated electric vehicles, and the company is now transitioning to more capable models built on its MMA architecture. The new CLA sedan and GLB SUV sit at the front of that wave, offering a design language that leans closer to Mercedes’ traditional gasoline vehicles — think a prominent grille and boxier proportions rather than the smooth, aerodynamic look that defined the EQ era.

Pricing and range figures for the new arrivals give a sense of where Mercedes is aiming. The 2026 CLA EV comes in two flavors: a rear-wheel-drive 250+ and a more powerful 350 4MATIC with all-wheel drive. Both rely on an 85 kWh battery, and the RWD version is rated for up to 374 miles of range. The CLA 250+ starts at $47,250, while the 350 4MATIC begins at$49,800. Further out, the 2028 GLA is slated to reach dealerships in the second half of 2027, available in both electric and hybrid forms.

Taken together, the changes show Mercedes tightening its lineup rather than simply expanding it. By phasing out slower-selling and overlapping models while betting on the MMA-based CLA, GLB, and eventually the GLA, the brand is clearly signaling that its second generation of EVs is meant to be more mainstream and more profitable. For shoppers, that means fewer niche options but fresher technology under the sheet metal.