2014 Mercedes Benz GLA preview
In the GLA, Mercedes-Benz believe that they have created the ultimate contender in the ultra competitive small SUV market. However what’s it really like?
Mercedes refer to the new GLA as an SUV but to us it looks more like a large hatchback. In fact although it’s 15mm higher than the A Class it’s based on, it’s actually 100mm lower than the Audi Q3. So the way we need to think about this then is as a more practical, more comfortable alternative to a family hatchback and then it starts to make a lot of sense. If there’s one problem we have with the A Class, it’s the ride quality – it tends to fidget and jolt over bumps, but with its raised suspension and fatter tyres, the GLA should be much better. And it is definitely more Mercedes like the ride quality and the refinement, well they have both definitely taken a welcome step up, but luckily not at the expense of handling. The steering is really sharp and although there’s definitely more body roll than you’d get in an A Class it’s not enough to stop you having fun.
We had a look at the GLA 250, a petrol 2 litre turbo with 208hp and whilst it’s fast enough and really smooth, it never feels particularly sporty or sounds particularly good. We’d go for the diesels the GLA 200 or the 220 CDI as you get much better mpg with those, ok you sacrifice some refinement but it’s something you can live with. The gearbox well we had the 7 speed auto and it can be a bit slower, it can be a bit hesitant on down shifts but if you want an auto it’s perfectly acceptable. It may be worth considering going for the manual though and saving yourself some money. The other thing well the formatted four wheel drive system it can split 50% of the torque between the front and the rear when you need to, and it means there’s absolutely tons of grip, so when you want to thrash the car around it does not get flustered, it just sticks to the road like glue.
Although most customers will go for the standard petrol and diesel models, most GLA models won’t stray further than the school run, it does have a couple of other strings to its bow. At the end of this year you will be able to order the GLA with a special off-road pack so that adds another 30mm of suspension travel, you get a special off–road mode for the ESC and you get a hill descent control function. It’s no Land Rover Discovery but it does mean you can cross a muddy field or you can negotiate a rocky path.
If you want something quicker then the AMG has worked its magic too. Like the A45 and CLA 45 the GLA 45 AMG features a 355hp 2 litre turbo charged engine. Because it weighs 40kg more than the A45 it’s 0.2 seconds slower from 0-60 at 4.8 seconds but we’re told it’s only a few seconds slower than the A45 around the Nurburgring and can actually match a Porsche Boxster S, so in reality you never feel the difference. Wind it up past 4000rpm and its engine is absolutely berserk. We recommend you go for the performance exhaust as well for that full on snarling AMG soundtrack. Ultimately though this isn’t the most adjustable car on the limit, it feels more like a fast front wheel drive hatchback that just happens to have loads and loads of grip. But honestly you’re never going to get tired of the slug of acceleration when you put your foot down, it’s astonishing.
Besides a comfier ride and some basic off-road ability, what really separates the GLA from the A Class is its boot. Its 481 litre boot is 40% bigger, so I reckon forget what Mercedes say about this car being an SUV, really it’s an A Class estate!
