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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.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:56 Background
02:49 Driving Experience
16:39 Design & Build
35:03 Market & Model Range
01:02:51 Cost of Ownership
01:17:04 Summary

Background

Mercedes has one of the widest ranges of SUVs available and the line-up starts with this GLA model, this being the second generation version of this design. It competes in the premium part of the SUV 'C' sector and, like all models in this segment, is based on family hatchback underpinnings, in this case those of the fourth generation version of the Mercedes A-Class.

The original MK1 'X156'-series Mercedes GLA, launched back in 2014, won't go down as one of the more remarkable models in the Stuttgart brand's history but it sold well, shifting nearly a million units over a six year production run which ended with the introduction of this second generation version in early 2020. This 'H247'-series car is the eighth Mercedes model to be spun off the brand's current compact car 'MFA2' platform.

Driving Experience

In its mainstream guises, the GLA is available with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. The entry-level models, the GLA 180 and the GLA 200, both use a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol powerplant with respective outputs of either 136 or 163hp, both units mated to 7G-DCT seven-speed automatic transmission. All other engines use the brand's 8G-DCT eight-speed auto gearbox. The GLA 250 uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine which can generate up to 224hp and 350Nm. There's also a clever GLA 250 e petrol plug-in hybrid which uses a little 1.33-litre four cylinder engine mated to a 15.6kWh lithium-ion battery for a total output of 218hp and a WLTP-rated EV driving range of up to 37 miles. The diesels use the company's usual 2.0-litre unit, which develops either 150hp in the GLA 200d or 190hp in the GLA 220d, the latter featuring a re-engineered version of the brand's 4MATIC 4WD system. With that 4MATIC set-up, you get an 'Off-road Package' which adds an off-road headlight function and an extra off-road driving mode called Downhill Speed Regulation.

There are two performance-orientated Mercedes-AMG variants, both using engineering we've already seen in the A-Class. The GLA 35 4MATIC offers a 306hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine mated to AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G dual-clutch auto transmission. And the GLA 45 4MATIC+ S flagship variant uses an engine more bespoke to AMG, a tuned 2.0-litre unit putting out 421hp.

So the oily bits are generally pretty familiar; as is most of the other engineering on offer here. The suspension features McPherson struts up front and either a torsion beam or multi-link arrangement at the rear, plus variable damping control is optional. Cornering traction should be aided by a track width increase of 46mm.

Design and Build

There's a bit more of a 'want one' factor with this second generation GLA thanks in part to the fact that its proportions and stance are more clearly defined than its predecessor. The car measures in at 4,410mm long, 2,020mm wide and 1,611mm high, making it 14mm shorter and 2mm narrower, but 104mm higher than the previous model. Larger wheel arches accommodate rims ranging from 17 to 21-inches.

Inside, as expected, this 'H247'-series GLA switches to the same cabin layout as has featured in all other recent compact Mercedes models, featuring a dashboard with a free-standing digital display panel. With standard models, this gives you two 7.0in screens - one in front of the driver for the instruments and a centre-dash one for the infotainment functions.

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