Mercedes-Benz GLA review

Driving position

Take one look at the second-generation Mercedes GLA and you’ll see how much more of an SUV it’s become over the first generation, which was barely more than a raised hatchback.

You can tell from behind the wheel, where the extra ride height gives you a higher seating position.

There’s a wide range of adjustment across all trim levels – height adjustment is standard on the front seats, and higher trim levels like AMG Line Premium Plus get electrically adjustable memory seats that let you pre-set preferred positions for three drivers.

AMG Line variants get sportier seat designs that include more side bolstering. It’s not just a sports-focused improvement though, it makes them more comfortable on twisty roads.

We’d strongly recommend searching for these over the standard seats, but that’s easy because AMG Line variants are among the most popular.

Outward visibility is good thanks to slim A-pillars and actually, because the bonnet is short, it still feels like a familiar hatchback to drive. Just a little bit taller.

Tech and features

Mercedes GLA trim levels

– Sport

– Sport Edition

– Sport Executive

– AMG Line

– AMG Line Executive

– AMG Line Premium

– AMG Line Premium Plus

– Exclusive Edition

– Exclusive Edition Premium

– Exclusive Edition Premium Plus

– Exclusive Launch Edition

Over its years on sale, the Mercedes GLA has been available in a fair few trim levels. The key principle is that there are entry-level Sport-themed ones, popular AMG Line upgrades, and top-spec Exclusive editions.

All models get Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, which performs well and is easy to use.

Some of the lower trim levels have twin-seven-inch displays, with higher-spec models getting bigger 10.25-inch screens.

This also varies by model year, not just trim. From 2023 onwards, you get twin-10.25-inch screens in all models.

Be aware that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t fitted to all systems, though. You’ll generally need an Executive trim level or higher. Again, 2023 is a good year because Mercedes removed the lower trim levels, effectively making CarPlay/Android Auto standard.

The MBUX system is also known for its augmented reality (AR) sat-nav, which overlays directional arrows on top of camera images to show you exactly which junction you need to take.

Naturally, this is reserved for higher trim levels, but we think it’s more of a gimmick than a truly useful feature. If you fancy yourself a bit of AR, consider some of Volkswagen’s bigger cars, which can be optioned with an AR head-up display that projects arrows straight onto the road in front of you.

Engines and power

Mercedes GLA performance stats

– Power: 136hp to 218hp

– 0-62mph: 7.5 to 10.0 seconds

– Top speed: 124mph to 136mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4MATIC)

First thing’s first, there are no manual gearboxes to be had. Every GLA is fitted with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which offers super-smooth gear changes.

Petrol power comes from a Renault-sourced 1.3-litre engine, either with 136hp (GLA 180) or 163hp (GLA 200).

Unless you’re really just pottering around town, we’d avoid the GLA 180, because it’s not just the slowest in the range but generally slow by today’s electrified standards.

There are also two 2.0-litre diesel engine options with 150hp (GLA 200 d) or 190hp (GLA 220 d 4MATIC).

The third and final power option is the plug-in hybrid model (GLA 250 e), which pairs the 163hp 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 109hp electric motor for a system output of 218hp.

More on its efficiency and how it compares to key rivals below.

Our pick: Mercedes GLA 200

Handling and ride comfort

The Mercedes GLA strikes a good middle ground in terms of ride quality, with most models set up for a comfortable ride. They generally feel more forgiving than an Audi Q3 or BMW X1 on uneven surfaces.

AMG Line variants have stiffer suspension for a sportier ride, but because this generation of the GLA is taller than its predecessor, it’s not as engaging as a hot hatch. The stylish Audi Q3 Sportback drives better on a twisting country road.

The GLA 220 d is your only four-wheel-drive version, but the setup is more about grip in slippery conditions than pure off-roading. Still, it’s good if you need to tow something or you go camping a lot.

Boot space

Mercedes GLA boot space

– Boot space: 385 to 435 litres

– Incl. Rear seats folded: 1,385 to 1,430 litres

Standard petrol and diesel versions have a 435-litre space, which is considerably less than the BMW X1 (490-540 litres). The Audi Q3 (488 litres) and Volvo XC40 (443 litres) also have more space, but the difference isn’t as stark.

Bear in mind that the plug-in hybrid GLA 250 e has a smaller 385-litre boot to account for the extra space needed for the battery.

Where the GLA starts to shine is in actual, real-world practicality – not on-paper figures. The standard 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats mean you can fold each of them down individually to strike the best balance of boot and passenger space.

Rear seats

This is another selling point for the GLA, because space is considerably improved over its predecessor. It’s now more of an SUV than a bulky hatchback, and you can tell this from rear passenger space.

Some specs have a sliding rear bench to extend legroom for taller passenger, but rear headroom is strong across the board.

Storage solutions

There’s plenty of storage up front, with a deep centre console, twin cupholders and a bit of storage in the door bins too.

Wireless phone charging is only available on higher trim levels, but you get USB-C ports in all cases.

Mercedes GLA dimensions

– Height: 1,616mm

– Width: 2,020mm (incl. door mirrors)

– Length: 4,436mm

– Kerbweight: Up to 1,800kg

Towing

The GLA is ideal for camping and caravanning trips, with a maximum braked trailer rating of between 1,600kg and 2,000kg. The four-wheel-drive 4MATIC model is the only one rated to the full two tonnes.

A factory-fitted towing package includes an electrically folding tow bar for showing off to your friends and upgrades the ESP with trailer stabilisation, so it’s well worth finding a car with this upgrade if you plan on towing regularly.

Safety

Standard safety kit is strong, as you’d expect from a premium brand, with plenty of active driver aids included. You get brake assist, lane-keeping assist, attention assist and speed limit assist as standard.

You’ll need to pay extra for adaptive cruise control and active steering assist, which is a shame when so many other cars get these as standard today.

Still, the Mercedes GLA was awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was launched.

Fuel economy

Once you’ve picked your fuel of choice, there’s not a lot in it. Expect around 40mpg from the petrols and 50mpg from the diesels on a long run, or less for shorter trips.

The plug-in hybrid claims an impressive 256.8mpg, but as ever, it depends entirely on how you drive it. Being that it’s essentially a GLA 200 with a heavy battery, don’t expect much higher than 40mpg if you’re not charging it regularly.

It uses a 16kWh battery for a claimed range of up to 48 miles, and newer models even support 11kW charging.

Older models are limited to 7kW (which is generally the limit set for UK houses anyway), and have a smaller 39-mile range.

It’s about on-par with the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40, but the latest version of the Audi Q3 does get a much bigger 73-mile range if you prefer to do more of your driving on cheaper electric power.

Reliability

Mercedes is known for its solid mechanical reliability, and we’ve seen these same engines and gearboxes used not just across the rest of the Mercedes range, but even in other brands.