Mercedes GLA, Breaks With The Predefined
Within the compact family of Mercedes, made up of four different cars that share almost all of their components, as well as the engines and interior design, there is one that adapts like a glove to the needs of the current market, where SUVs increasingly they represent a higher percentage for brands; the Mercedes GLA.
The more traditional crossover version of the A-Class was introduced in 2013. It was an immediate bestseller and, as a good volume model, has to keep up to date to remain the choice of segment customers.
For this, the brand subjected the GLA to a slight update in 2017, in which it improved both the aesthetics of the model and the interior materials, as well as the arrival of new technologies that give the German SUV with greater connectivity.
Blurring the barrier between SUVs and compacts to use
It may be striking how risky the brand has been in the design of a model that is located in a segment with as much competition today as that of the GLA.
The sales statistics show that the public demands higher and more spacious cars, either due to the real need for these characteristics, to appear with a car of more status or simply because of fashion. This is the kind of car you sell, and Mercedes played it, with surprising results.
If the A-Class was a full stop in the history of the model by completely changing its concept and positioning, the derived SUV had to make a difference, and it does so by the hair.
Like any car with these characteristics, it has the typical plastic protections around the contour of the vehicle, with a greater presence in the lower area of the bumpers. However, the car’s ground clearance is not much higher than that of a typical compact, blurring the barrier that marked the differences between the two segments.
Make no mistake, the GLA looks like a current SUV should look like. However, it doesn’t feel like one. It may have a bulky body with well-balanced lines, notably the large front grille, little glazing, or huge rear lights, as well as oversized wheels, but it doesn’t seem capable of rolling off the asphalt satisfactorily. Failing that, it could be classified as a compact with steroids.
An interior with little magic
As for the interior, nothing new when compared to that of an A-Class, a CLA or a B-Class, with excellent qualities for a compact (somewhat fair for a Mercedes), and cutting-edge technologies in terms of connectivity, such as Android Auto or AppleCar.
Mechanical combinations for everyone
The range available for the Mercedes GLA is shown ordered in the version table located further down in this article, but it can be summarized in that practically, there is a GLA for each driver.
There are mechanical gasoline and diesel offers, with powers distributed in a range that starts from 122hp to beyond the 200hp barrier. It is rumored that for the second generation of the model, the first hybrid mechanics could arrive.
The transmission can be either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic available as an option (standard on higher engines). Finally, the 4Matic all-wheel drive remains as an optional element and by default it is only equipped with the most powerful versions.
At the wheel
Once in motion, the car shows neutral reactions with a plumb behavior, a result of the width of the axles. The differences with respect to a Class A or any other compact are minimal, being reduced to a slight sway of the body, an effect of the higher center of gravity of the vehicle.
Be that as it may, the excellent seats and the good interior soundproofing make for a really good driving pleasure, while the high profile of the tires it mounts, further reduces the reactions produced by road imperfections and potholes. since with more rubber it absorbs these elements better. However, this detail makes even generous 18-inch wheels look small.
Versions
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Mercedes GLA data
- 5 doors
- 5 seats
- Trunk: 421 liters
- 4Matic front or all-wheel drive
- 4-cylinder engines between 122hp and 211hp
- Consumption and emissions: from 4.2 liters and 110 g / km of CO2
- 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission
- Price: From € 31,050 to € 47,450
