The advantage of electrical automotive expertise permits manufacturers to experiment with some new and thrilling applied sciences, a few of which you’ll be able to admittedly discover on vehicles competing within the ICE market. Given how EVs stay a distinct segment proposition to the majority of latest automobile customers, some manufacturers are specializing in making use of area of interest and fascinating options to the business in a bid to make them extra interesting alternate options to standard vehicles.

Carmakers have promised that we are going to be seeing some very new and thrilling options within the EV market over the approaching years, however in the interim, these are a few of the coolest options that you may get to take pleasure in. These cowl on-track efficiency, off-roading capabilities, and simply common options that you should use to your benefit in a typical each day driving expertise.

To provide the latest and correct data potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with the EPA.

Genesis GV60 – Drift Mode

Very Pleased To Go Sideways

The Genesis GV60 contains a Drift Mode, which you’ll be able to activate by holding each steering wheel paddle shifters for round three seconds, whereas in Sport mode with stability management deactivated. This mode sends extra energy to the rear wheels, disengages the traction management, and permits for managed drifting.

The flagship Genesis GV60 Efficiency mannequin’s dual-motor configuration generates a mixed 490 horsepower, which will get you from 0-60 MPH in 4 seconds, however you must take care of an elevated 37-kWh-per-100-miles mixed power consumption estimate.

Rivian R1S/R1T – Kick Flip

Will get You Out Of A Actual Jam

Rivian’s Kick Flip is a characteristic unique to the Quad-Motor R1S and R1T fashions, that enables the automobile to rotate on its axis, successfully performing a 360-degree flip, even whereas in movement. It is enabled by the totally impartial torque vectoring of the quad-motor system and is designed to assist with navigating tight off-road conditions. You’ll be able to activate this characteristic by urgent two buttons on the steering wheel after which utilizing the accelerator pedal, with the pace of the rotation managed by the quantity of throttle utilized.

The Rivian R1S with the Triple Motor Max Pack configuration produces 850 horsepower and 1,103 pound-feet, leading to a 2.9-second 0-60 MPH time. You can even anticipate the battery pack to cowl it for 371 miles in-between expenses and return 45 kWh per 100 miles. The flagship quad motor produces a powerful 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet, affording it a 2.6-second 0-60 MPH time.

Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 – Race Begin

A True Launch Management Operate For An EV

The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 contains a Race Begin perform, activated when the driving force holds the brake and accelerator pedals down concurrently, prompting a message on the driving force show indicating readiness, after which launching the automobile upon brake launch. This perform, out there with the non-compulsory AMG Dynamic Plus Bundle, supplies a efficiency enhance, quickly growing energy output.

The all-electric AMG EQE 53 is probably not probably the most thrilling AMG to ever be made, however its efficiency figures are one thing to be admired. The efficiency arm takes the German model’s dual-motor configuration and cranks energy as much as 677 horsepower and 738 pound-feet while you activate the Race Begin perform. This will get it from 0-60 MPH in a claimed 3.4 seconds.

GMC Hummer EV – Crab Stroll

A Handy And Entertaining Turning Operate

The GMC Hummer EV’s CrabWalk is a singular four-wheel steering characteristic that enables the automobile to maneuver diagonally, like a crab, by steering all 4 wheels in the identical path. This enhances maneuverability in tight areas, each off-road and when parking.

The twin-motor GMC Hummer EV spinoff produces a mixed 570 horsepower to all 4 wheels, affording it a 7,400-pound towing capability and a 318-mile manufacturer-estimated vary from the 205-kWh battery pack. The triple-motor produces 1,000 horsepower mixed, affording it an 11,500-pound towing capability and 367 miles of vary, due to a 213-kWh battery, as claimed by the producer.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – N e-shift

A Loyal Recreation Of The Twin-Clutch Transmission

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s N e-Shift is a expertise that simulates the texture of drugs adjustments in an electrical automobile by controlling the electrical motor’s torque output, offering a extra participating and interactive driving expertise. Regardless of the absence of a bodily gearbox within the Ioniq 5 N, N e-Shift creates the feeling of shifting gears and even mimics the jolt felt between gears in an inside combustion engine automotive with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N options probably the most highly effective instance of the South Korean group’s twin permanent-magnet-synchronous motor configuration, producing a mixed 641 horsepower and 568 pound-feet when N Grin Increase is energetic. Below standard driving circumstances, it generates 601 horsepower and 546 pound-feet. You’ll be able to anticipate this efficiency EV SUV to cowl a 0-60 MPH dash in 3.3 seconds earlier than hitting a 161-MPH prime pace restrict.

Dodge Charger Daytona – Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust

A Distinctive Sound For A Muscle EV

The Dodge Charger Daytona‘s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust is a system designed to simulate the sound of a conventional inside combustion engine for the all-electric Charger Daytona. It makes use of a mix of transducers and passive radiators to supply a deep, rumbling exhaust notice that aligns with Dodge’s muscle automotive heritage, regardless of it taking the type of an EV. The system is tunable, with totally different sound ranges comparable to totally different drive modes, and might be fully disabled in Stealth Mode.

The bottom R/T produces 456 horsepower and 404 pound-feet, leading to a 4.7-second 0-60 MPH time and 137 MPH prime pace. This covers 1 / 4 mile in 13.1 seconds. Upgrading to the Scat Pack will increase the entire system energy output to 630 horsepower and 627 pound-feet, leading to a 3.3-second 0-60 MPH time, however with a decrease 134 MPH prime pace. It will cowl 1 / 4 mile in 11.5 seconds.

Porsche Taycan – Two-Velocity Motors

An Modern And Versatile Drivetrain

The Porsche Taycan makes use of a two-speed transmission on its rear axle to optimize efficiency for each acceleration and prime pace. This progressive characteristic is exclusive to Porsche and permits for exhilarating acceleration from a standstill whereas additionally making certain effectivity and energy reserves at excessive speeds.

The base Porsche Taycan produces 402 horsepower and 254 pound-feet to the rear axle, leading to a 5.1-second 0-60 MPH time earlier than hitting the 143 MPH prime pace restrict. In case you’re on the lookout for a no-nonsense monitor expertise, it’s best to take into account the Turbo GT spinoff for $230,400. This mannequin will increase the mixed output to 1,019 horsepower and 988 pound-feet, which is able to get you from 0-60 MPH in a mere 2.2 seconds from a standing begin earlier than hitting a restricted 180 MPH prime pace.

Lucid Air Sapphire – Sub-Two-Second 0-60 MPH Acceleration

It is Like A Rocket Off The Line

The Lucid Air Sapphire is extremely fast, attaining a 0-60 mph time of simply 1.9 seconds, and finishing the quarter-mile in 9.1 seconds at 155 MPH. These spectacular occasions make it one of many quickest manufacturing autos ever examined. The automotive contains a devoted Drag Strip mode that optimizes for max acceleration from a standstill. The traction management system is optimized for launch, stopping wheel spin and maximizing grip.

The Lucid Air Sapphire contains a triple-motor all-wheel drive system that generates 1,234 horsepower and 1,430 pound-feet of torque. The Lucid Air Sapphire contains a large 118 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which the EPA suggests will cowl it for 427 miles on a single cost. The Air Sapphire’s 900-volt structure means you will recuperate 200 miles of vary each quarter-hour through Stage Three DC quick charging.

Rolls-Royce Spectre – Magic Carpet Experience

Unmatched Consolation Ranges Match For A King

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is designed to ship the model’s signature Magic Carpet Experience, combining highly effective electrical efficiency with a clean, luxurious driving expertise. The British model achieves this via a mix of superior expertise, together with a complicated suspension system, and the inherent smoothness of an all-electric drivetrain.

You’ll be able to solely have the Spectre with a dual-electrically excited motor configuration that sends a mixed 577 horsepower to all 4 wheels. This will get you from 0-60 MPH in 4.4 seconds with a 150 MPH prime pace restrict. The 102-kWh battery pack lets the massive coupe cowl 266 miles on a single cost whereas returning a 34 kWh-per-100-miles mixed power consumption estimate.

Tesla Cybertruck – Stainless Metal Building

Constructed Not like Any Different EV

Not precisely what you’d name a ‘characteristic’, however the Tesla Cybertruck‘s defining side is its exterior, which is constructed from a cold-rolled, ultra-hard stainless-steel alloy. This materials, referred to by Tesla as Laborious Freaking Stainless, or HFS, affords superior sturdiness and impression resistance in comparison with conventional automotive metal. The panels are laser-cut and bent utilizing a specialised air-bending course of, as an alternative of being stamped like typical automotive elements.

The flagship Cyberbeast contains a number of three electrical motors powering all 4 wheels with 845 horsepower and 10,296 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. This will get it from 0-60 MPH in 2.6 seconds with a one-foot rollout subtracted. Tesla limits this mannequin’s prime pace to 130 MPH, which might be sensible, contemplating its measurement and proportions.

Asking an automotive enthusiast to drive a crossover instead of a car is like asking an alcoholic to drink soda water instead of beer during Oktoberfest. It just ain’t going to happen. We auto geeks see the crossover – a derivative of the SUV that tries to blend all cars into one, often resulting in a mediocre product – as the Antichrist to our love for cars.

Sure, some latest models are actually excellent, mostly because they behave and drive like a large hatchback. The all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a great example of this. So is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, a proper compact crossover that also happens to perform and sound like an expensive Italian sports car. But at the end of the day, what enthusiasts prefer is a good-old car due to its lower center of gravity, sharper handling and nicer looks.

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLA35 also breaks crossover convention. It’s a rip-snorting little brat of a premium utility vehicle that never apologizes for its raunchy character. It’ll also give a Golf R a run for its money in a drag race, while carrying about as many humans and gear in the process. It ain’t perfect, but it’s still one of the darn best small sporty crossovers I’ve driven in my career.

The Mercedes-AMG GLA35 you see here belongs to the Mercedes-Benz Canada press office. The car was picked up clean and with a full tank of gas. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLA35 First Impressions

I’m quite familiar with the GLA35 and the drivetrain that powers it, which I’ll get back to in a bit. This is the second time I have driven this thing. I also drove its twin brother, the arguably more charming GLB, twice. And I experienced this very engine, transmission, platform and all-wheel drive system in the Canada-only A35 hatchback, as well as in the CLA. They’re all fantastic.

But within Mercedes‘ family of small cars and utility vehicles, the GLA is actually my least favorite one due to the way it looks. Ever since the boxier GLB has been added to the lineup, this GLA – which was the OG subcompact crossover from Mercedes – now sort of feels like an afterthought. It looks too much like a jelly bean for my taste. It’s too upright and looks like a goofy caricature of a hot hatchback.

I’ll admit that the 2024 facelift has helped spice things up a notch, especially in AMG form. The now ubiquitous AMG grille neatly dresses up the front fascia while creating a presence. Head and taillights now look more purposeful, wheels match the vehicle much better and the overall package now looks more like a running shoe rather than the over-dressed cheap Benz it once was. But I still prefer the looks of the GLB.

Exterior Dimensions

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLA35: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

Except for minor exceptions to cater to specific market trends, Mercedes has a habit of selling essentially the same cars in the U.S. and Canada. The GLA35 obeys that rule as it offers the same choice of colors and wheels on both sides of the border. The only real difference is that U.S. cars offer a tad more selection in the available optional packages.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown (model tested in bold)

Driving Impressions And Performance

What defines the GLA35’s puppy dog character is its engine. In this case, it’s Mercedes’ well-known M264 unit, a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system pumping out 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Yes, this engine is installed transversely in the engine bay, meaning it favors a front-wheel drive layout. But the GLA35 comes standard with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

Launch this egg-shaped baby hauler from a standstill, and the GLA35 will hit 60 MPH in just over five seconds. But that number only tells half the story. The GLA35 has character. Lots of it. Its engine snorts, bangs and pops as the gearbox shuffles through its cogs. This four-cylinder is urgent, eager to be pushed and never stops pulling until it bounces off the rev limiter. It’s this rambunctious character that allows the GLA35 to pull away from the traditional crossover rule book.

But the engine isn’t the only star of the show. The GLA35’s chassis composure is up there with hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf R. Steering is quick, brakes bite hard and there’s truly nothing you can’t throw too hard at this little rascal that it won’t take in. The GLA35 will always deliver, providing loads of grip, plenty of grunt and the sort of handling dynamics that’ll allow it to follow most sports cars.

Yet, the GLA35 is also incredibly irritating. The ride is always stiff, even when its adjustable dampers are set to their most comfortable setting. The dual-clutch automatic only seems to work properly when pushing the car to its limits. In normal driving situations, it never seems to know what it wants, shifting abruptly and, at times, refusing to drop a gear altogether. Finally, the GLA35 I was driving was loaded with annoying cabin noises. Squeaks, cracks and thumps were not sounds I expected to hear in a vehicle wearing the three-pointed star.

Performance Specifications

2025 Mercedes-AMG GLA35 Fuel Consumption

The EPA rates the GLA35 at 24 MPG combined, a decent number considering the kind of performance you’ll get out of this thing. Set it to its most economical setting, and the GLA35 won’t burn more fuel than your average compact car. During the full week I had the GLA35, I actually did better than the official EPA numbers.

EPA And As Tested Fuel Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort

The GLA’s interior was only slightly massaged during the facelift, so this is essentially what Mercedes has been serving us since this second generation model arrived in 2020. What Mercedes does better than most in this segment, though, is creating the visual illusion that the GLA is more expensive than it actually is.

Everything looks like a million bucks in there, mostly due to the presence of brushed aluminum around the three circular air vents, the steering wheel and the dashboard. But also, thanks to ambient lighting at night, which truly helps this cabin pop. Sadly, build quality is inconsistent. While the GLA is well put together, signs of cost-cutting through cheap-feeling plastics quickly remind you that you’re driving one of Mercedes-AMG’s cheapest vehicles.

At least, the GLA35 stays true to its mission of comfortably carrying four passengers and their gear. In my case, installing the rear-facing child seat was a breeze, but I did need to move the front passenger seat forward a tad to make it fit. Front seat comfort is excellent thanks to sports bucket seats that aren’t too aggressively bolstered. Rear legroom is a bit of a squeeze due to the GLA’s small size, but its bulbous roof yields more than ample headroom, even for taller people.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Technology in the GLA35 is classic Mercedes stuff. The large tablet display houses the now well-established MBUX infotainment interface. Through over-the-air (OTA) updates, Mercedes was able, over time, to streamline most of this system’s glitches. I’ve personally had a chance to witness its evolution, and it’s honestly at the top of its game now, especially for voice prompts.

These are achieved through the “Hey Mercedes” command. At times, the system still gets confused and doesn’t always understand what you ask from it. But its success rate is at least 50% better than when I first tried it more than four years ago.

Otherwise, the system looks the part, responds quickly and allows you to customize its layout in a slew of different ways. But MBUX does remain complicated at times, like when you’re trying to lower the brightness of its screens, requiring you to dig deep into menus. The GLA35 carries over AMG’s famous knob dials on the steering wheel, allowing you to quickly activate specific features, like the sound of the exhaust, or the firmness of the suspension. They both operate flawlessly.

Cargo And Storage Space

Although the GLA loses about 12 cu-ft of total cargo space (with all seats lowered flat) compared to its GLB twin (22 cu-ft/62 cu-ft), it remains a class-leader in that field. It’s a tad more practical than an Audi Q3 (23.7 cu-ft/48 cu-ft) overall. And while the trunk area when all seats are in place is significantly smaller than in a BMW X1 (25.7 cu-ft/46.9 cu-ft), the little GLA still manages to outcargo its main Bavarian rival in total cargo capacity.

It’s Imperfect, And That’s Why It Rocks

Enthusiasts alike will tell you that the coolest cars are never those that do everything well, but rather cars that come with an imperfect character. This has always been the magic around Italian cars. At the end of the day, what makes the Mercedes-AMG GLA35 so charming is its loud and obnoxious experience, but also its imperfect delivery of performance.

Sure, it’s not as refined as some of the Silver Star’s more mature models. Heck, at times, I wondered why a Hyundai has less cabin rattles than this Benz. But what truly counts is the way the GLA35 makes you feel behind the wheel. In my case, it had me giggling each time I was putting it through its paces. The AMG GLA35 may not be cheap, but it moves the enthusiast needle like few crossovers can.