BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A MERCEDES GLA FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/3dYMXv1

The GLA is the starting point for Mercedes SUV ownership and in this second generation form, is as classy as you'd expect a premium 'C'-segment family hatch-based crossover model ought to be from the Stuttgart brand. Thorough engineering borrowed from the Mercedes A-Class means that that there's plenty to like beyond the badge, primary selling points focusing upon quality and efficiency. In short, it's a car that suits its fashion-conscious segment.

Market and Model

Just how much are you prepared to pay for a really premium experience from your compact SUV? Well GLA pricing is going to put that to the test. From launch, this MK2 model was priced from around £32,000, but the GLA variant you're likely to want is almost certain to be in the £35,000 to £40,000 bracket - possibly more. If it's a GLA 250e Plug-in variant, it'll be £40,000 upwards. And if you want one of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 or GLA 45 S 4MATIC high performance versions, think more like £45,000-£65,000. In the conventional range, there are six trim levels - 'Sport', 'Sport Executive' and four different flavours of 'AMG Line' - standard, 'Executive', 'Premium' and 'Premium Plus'.

All GLA models have to be had with auto transmission - which is a 7G-DCT 7-speeder with the base 1.3-litre petrol engine: try and find the extra £1,500 necessary to upgrade from the base 136hp GLA 180 model with this unit to the perkier 163hp GLA 200 variant. The next stage up in mainstream GLA ownership is to go for one of the 2.0-litre engines, all of which are paired to an 8G-DCT 8-speed auto. The two base 'Sport' models include the option of the GLA 200d variant, which gets the brand's now-familiar OM654 diesel in a 150hp state of tune. Start your search from mid-range 'AMG Line' trim though - as most GLA customers do - and your choice of 2.0-litre options widens to also include the GLA 220d 4MATIC, which uses the same diesel engine uprated to 190hp and mated to 4WD. Or you can have the front-driven petrol-powered GLA 250, which offers 224hp and is really rather quick.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the WLTP-rated figures, which see both the GLA 180 and the GLA 200 returning 151g/km of CO2 and respective combined cycle fuel figures of 41.8 and 42.8mpg. Amongst direct rivals, these readings are good enough only to shade the rival Volvo XC40 T3 auto - and that's only because that Swedish contender is nearly 100kgs heavier. If you want to do better with a conventional powerplant, this GLA's much improved OM654 2.0-litre diesel unit beckons, capable of up to 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 140g/km of CO2 in 150hp front-driven form; and 49.6mpg and up to 148g/km in 190hp 4MATIC AWD guise.

If you want to do better, you'll need the GLA 250e plug-in hybrid petrol model, which can put out WLTP-rated CO2 emissions of just 32g/km, record an official 2018.8mpg combined cycle fuel figure and can be charged from a 7.4kW wallbox in just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Summary

The GLA competes in a very different market today to the one it was launched in back in 2014 and this second generation model will offer stiffer opposition to key rivals like the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40. That's primarily because it's improved in the two main areas the old model fell a little short. That car looked a little unremarkable and it was a little cramped in the back. Both those issues have been thoroughly addressed here. Plus it'll be of considerable importance that this car - in its plusher forms anyway - has been equipped and finished with a silken thoroughness typical of the Three-Pointed Star.

And in summary? Well every compact SUV in this class claims to take concept of sense and sensibility and add to it something of an adventurous streak. This GLA does that too, but with a bit of extra polish. We can see why you might like it.

*CAR REVIEW PLAYLISTS*
► New Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myaZiV
► Behind the Wheel: https://bit.ly/35JuUo7
► Highlight Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/35N1Wnx
► Electric Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TAqjPK
► Short Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/2HHlJMS
► Hatchback Reviews: https://bit.ly/3mKNAen
► SUV & 4X4 Reviews: https://bit.ly/37Verjt
► Saloon Reviews: https://bit.ly/37QrbrD
► City Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3jDzBVI
► Estate Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kDflog
► Sports Car and Coupe Reviews: https://bit.ly/2TwkzXb
► MPV Reviews: https://bit.ly/3e7114S
► Van Reviews: https://bit.ly/31QWcb4
► Business Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3kGZncN
► Family Car Reviews: https://bit.ly/3myLaiy

*FOLLOW OSV ON*
► Facebook:   / osvltd  
► Twitter:   / osvmotoringnews  
► Instagram:   / osvltd  

#MercedesGLA #BusinessCar #OS