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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA250 (A) First Drive Review
07 Mar 2014|36,485 views
The fourth and latest member (there is the A-Class, the B-Class and the CLA-Class) of the Mercedes-Benz MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform hasn't graced our local shores yet. But when it does in the middle of the year, it's going to spark a demand that will overwhelm the supply.
The GLA-Class, as it's called, is Mercedes' answer to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.
Black mirrors enhance the aggressive looks of the GLA250
The GLA-Class was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show as the Concept GLA and it was only months later at the Frankfurt Motor Show when the German marque showed the world the production-ready model.
Exterior
The GLA-Class continues its youthful and curvaceous looks that can also be found on the A and CLA-Class. The prominent three-pointed star graces the twin-louvre grille while the gaping wheel arches and low glasshouse give the car an aggressive and hunched down stance.
In fact, at 1,494mm tall, the GLA-Class is so low-slung (50mm and 100mm lower than the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 respectively) that it'll take you two glances to distinguish it from the A-Class.
The GLA-Class, as it's called, is Mercedes' answer to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.
The GLA-Class was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show as the Concept GLA and it was only months later at the Frankfurt Motor Show when the German marque showed the world the production-ready model.
Exterior
The GLA-Class continues its youthful and curvaceous looks that can also be found on the A and CLA-Class. The prominent three-pointed star graces the twin-louvre grille while the gaping wheel arches and low glasshouse give the car an aggressive and hunched down stance.
In fact, at 1,494mm tall, the GLA-Class is so low-slung (50mm and 100mm lower than the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 respectively) that it'll take you two glances to distinguish it from the A-Class.
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That's not to say that the latest car from Merc is not special. The GLA-Class is a case in point that you don't have to compromise on styling when you're bigger in size.
Perhaps the stunning look has to do with the fact that, like the CLA and A-Class, the GLA-Class stayed extremely close to the exterior styling first seen on the concept car. Tweaks were definitely done to perfect the car but the muscular shape remains mostly intact.
In a way, the GLA-Class is similar to most premium compact SUVs on our roads. Despite being suited for off-road driving, buyers of this car won't have the heart to send it out for jungle bashing, even if there is underbody cladding on the lower sides to help protect it from stone chips.
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Interior
From the circular air-con vents and modern-looking dashboard to the leather upholstery and instrument panel, the cabin of the GLA-Class follows the German marque's compact car theme.
The cabin, with sporty air-con vents and wooden trimmings on the dashboard, is a comfortable place to be in
This also means that the main controls are all conveniently positioned, with Merc's steering column-mounted gearshift lever freeing up a fair amount of cabin space on the centre console. Further adding to minimalism is the rotary dial that controls the car's infotainment system.
From the circular air-con vents and modern-looking dashboard to the leather upholstery and instrument panel, the cabin of the GLA-Class follows the German marque's compact car theme.
This also means that the main controls are all conveniently positioned, with Merc's steering column-mounted gearshift lever freeing up a fair amount of cabin space on the centre console. Further adding to minimalism is the rotary dial that controls the car's infotainment system.
Despite its length of 4,417mm, the GLA-Class shares the same wheelbase as the A-Class. Thus, rear legroom remains to be the same as the hatch. But what's different are the generous boot space of 421 litres - just a tad bigger than both the Q3 and the X1 - and the significantly improved headroom.
If 421 litres of boot space isn't enough, rear seats can be knocked down to see a generous 1,235 litres of cargo area
It's clear that the GLA-Class stands apart from its rivals with a rather sporty cabin appeal. It's not about how it makes the interior of the Audi Q3 or the BMW X1 seem unexciting but rather how exclusive this cabin actually makes you feel.
It's clear that the GLA-Class stands apart from its rivals with a rather sporty cabin appeal. It's not about how it makes the interior of the Audi Q3 or the BMW X1 seem unexciting but rather how exclusive this cabin actually makes you feel.
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Drivetrain
Our test car was the sporty GLA250 4MATIC. Carrying with it under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre powerplant that's capable of producing 211bhp and 350Nm of torque.
These figures, while they are similar to the A250 Sport and CLA250 Sport, allow the GLA250 to hit the 100km/h mark in a slower 7.1 seconds due to its heavier weight of 1,505kg.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplant is similar with the one in the A250 Sport and the CLA250 Sport
But its real world performance feels a lot faster than what the numbers suggest, thanks to quick shifts made by the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission that mates perfectly well with the engine.
Driven enthusiastically, the compact SUV picks up speed zealously and before you know it, you're zooming past cars that are already past the speed limit on the highway.
During this time, there is no hint of cabin rattle while road noise is kept to a minimum. The only intrusion we had during our fast-paced driving experience was the noise caused by strong crosswinds, which we wouldn't otherwise experience in sunny Singapore.
Our test car was the sporty GLA250 4MATIC. Carrying with it under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre powerplant that's capable of producing 211bhp and 350Nm of torque.
These figures, while they are similar to the A250 Sport and CLA250 Sport, allow the GLA250 to hit the 100km/h mark in a slower 7.1 seconds due to its heavier weight of 1,505kg.
But its real world performance feels a lot faster than what the numbers suggest, thanks to quick shifts made by the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission that mates perfectly well with the engine.
Driven enthusiastically, the compact SUV picks up speed zealously and before you know it, you're zooming past cars that are already past the speed limit on the highway.
During this time, there is no hint of cabin rattle while road noise is kept to a minimum. The only intrusion we had during our fast-paced driving experience was the noise caused by strong crosswinds, which we wouldn't otherwise experience in sunny Singapore.
In a way, you won't get the feeling you're piloting an SUV. It feels more like a sizeable hatchback. Its suspension offers a good compromise between comfort and handling that masks the fact that the GLA250 sits higher off the ground.
The ride is nicely damped to effectively soak up any bumps on the road yet it'll hustle through unforgiving turns with little body roll. Hence, it's very confident-inspiring behind the wheel.
On the go, the GLA250 behaves more like a hatch than an SUV
Conclusion
The GLA-Class is, indeed, an interesting proposition and it feels, looks and drives every bit like a grown-up A-Class. It combines the low-slung looks of a hot hatch with excellent ride comfort and bigger space. Hell, it'll even tackle off-road conditions with conviction if it has to.
More relevantly, it has the dimensions to make it a formidable city car and will, no doubt, be at home on our roads.
It would have been close to perfect if the GLA250 had a more raucous exhaust note, but I guess that's what the GLA 45 AMG is for.
The ride is nicely damped to effectively soak up any bumps on the road yet it'll hustle through unforgiving turns with little body roll. Hence, it's very confident-inspiring behind the wheel.
Conclusion
The GLA-Class is, indeed, an interesting proposition and it feels, looks and drives every bit like a grown-up A-Class. It combines the low-slung looks of a hot hatch with excellent ride comfort and bigger space. Hell, it'll even tackle off-road conditions with conviction if it has to.
More relevantly, it has the dimensions to make it a formidable city car and will, no doubt, be at home on our roads.
It would have been close to perfect if the GLA250 had a more raucous exhaust note, but I guess that's what the GLA 45 AMG is for.
The fourth and latest member (there is the A-Class, the B-Class and the CLA-Class) of the Mercedes-Benz MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform hasn't graced our local shores yet. But when it does in the middle of the year, it's going to spark a demand that will overwhelm the supply.
The GLA-Class, as it's called, is Mercedes' answer to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.
The GLA-Class was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show as the Concept GLA and it was only months later at the Frankfurt Motor Show when the German marque showed the world the production-ready model.
Exterior
The GLA-Class continues its youthful and curvaceous looks that can also be found on the A and CLA-Class. The prominent three-pointed star graces the twin-louvre grille while the gaping wheel arches and low glasshouse give the car an aggressive and hunched down stance.
In fact, at 1,494mm tall, the GLA-Class is so low-slung (50mm and 100mm lower than the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 respectively) that it'll take you two glances to distinguish it from the A-Class.
The GLA-Class, as it's called, is Mercedes' answer to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.
The GLA-Class was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show as the Concept GLA and it was only months later at the Frankfurt Motor Show when the German marque showed the world the production-ready model.
Exterior
The GLA-Class continues its youthful and curvaceous looks that can also be found on the A and CLA-Class. The prominent three-pointed star graces the twin-louvre grille while the gaping wheel arches and low glasshouse give the car an aggressive and hunched down stance.
In fact, at 1,494mm tall, the GLA-Class is so low-slung (50mm and 100mm lower than the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 respectively) that it'll take you two glances to distinguish it from the A-Class.
That's not to say that the latest car from Merc is not special. The GLA-Class is a case in point that you don't have to compromise on styling when you're bigger in size.
Perhaps the stunning look has to do with the fact that, like the CLA and A-Class, the GLA-Class stayed extremely close to the exterior styling first seen on the concept car. Tweaks were definitely done to perfect the car but the muscular shape remains mostly intact.
In a way, the GLA-Class is similar to most premium compact SUVs on our roads. Despite being suited for off-road driving, buyers of this car won't have the heart to send it out for jungle bashing, even if there is underbody cladding on the lower sides to help protect it from stone chips.
Perhaps the stunning look has to do with the fact that, like the CLA and A-Class, the GLA-Class stayed extremely close to the exterior styling first seen on the concept car. Tweaks were definitely done to perfect the car but the muscular shape remains mostly intact.
In a way, the GLA-Class is similar to most premium compact SUVs on our roads. Despite being suited for off-road driving, buyers of this car won't have the heart to send it out for jungle bashing, even if there is underbody cladding on the lower sides to help protect it from stone chips.
Interior
From the circular air-con vents and modern-looking dashboard to the leather upholstery and instrument panel, the cabin of the GLA-Class follows the German marque's compact car theme.
This also means that the main controls are all conveniently positioned, with Merc's steering column-mounted gearshift lever freeing up a fair amount of cabin space on the centre console. Further adding to minimalism is the rotary dial that controls the car's infotainment system.
From the circular air-con vents and modern-looking dashboard to the leather upholstery and instrument panel, the cabin of the GLA-Class follows the German marque's compact car theme.
This also means that the main controls are all conveniently positioned, with Merc's steering column-mounted gearshift lever freeing up a fair amount of cabin space on the centre console. Further adding to minimalism is the rotary dial that controls the car's infotainment system.
Despite its length of 4,417mm, the GLA-Class shares the same wheelbase as the A-Class. Thus, rear legroom remains to be the same as the hatch. But what's different are the generous boot space of 421 litres - just a tad bigger than both the Q3 and the X1 - and the significantly improved headroom.
It's clear that the GLA-Class stands apart from its rivals with a rather sporty cabin appeal. It's not about how it makes the interior of the Audi Q3 or the BMW X1 seem unexciting but rather how exclusive this cabin actually makes you feel.
It's clear that the GLA-Class stands apart from its rivals with a rather sporty cabin appeal. It's not about how it makes the interior of the Audi Q3 or the BMW X1 seem unexciting but rather how exclusive this cabin actually makes you feel.
Drivetrain
Our test car was the sporty GLA250 4MATIC. Carrying with it under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre powerplant that's capable of producing 211bhp and 350Nm of torque.
These figures, while they are similar to the A250 Sport and CLA250 Sport, allow the GLA250 to hit the 100km/h mark in a slower 7.1 seconds due to its heavier weight of 1,505kg.
But its real world performance feels a lot faster than what the numbers suggest, thanks to quick shifts made by the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission that mates perfectly well with the engine.
Driven enthusiastically, the compact SUV picks up speed zealously and before you know it, you're zooming past cars that are already past the speed limit on the highway.
During this time, there is no hint of cabin rattle while road noise is kept to a minimum. The only intrusion we had during our fast-paced driving experience was the noise caused by strong crosswinds, which we wouldn't otherwise experience in sunny Singapore.
Our test car was the sporty GLA250 4MATIC. Carrying with it under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre powerplant that's capable of producing 211bhp and 350Nm of torque.
These figures, while they are similar to the A250 Sport and CLA250 Sport, allow the GLA250 to hit the 100km/h mark in a slower 7.1 seconds due to its heavier weight of 1,505kg.
But its real world performance feels a lot faster than what the numbers suggest, thanks to quick shifts made by the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission that mates perfectly well with the engine.
Driven enthusiastically, the compact SUV picks up speed zealously and before you know it, you're zooming past cars that are already past the speed limit on the highway.
During this time, there is no hint of cabin rattle while road noise is kept to a minimum. The only intrusion we had during our fast-paced driving experience was the noise caused by strong crosswinds, which we wouldn't otherwise experience in sunny Singapore.
In a way, you won't get the feeling you're piloting an SUV. It feels more like a sizeable hatchback. Its suspension offers a good compromise between comfort and handling that masks the fact that the GLA250 sits higher off the ground.
The ride is nicely damped to effectively soak up any bumps on the road yet it'll hustle through unforgiving turns with little body roll. Hence, it's very confident-inspiring behind the wheel.
Conclusion
The GLA-Class is, indeed, an interesting proposition and it feels, looks and drives every bit like a grown-up A-Class. It combines the low-slung looks of a hot hatch with excellent ride comfort and bigger space. Hell, it'll even tackle off-road conditions with conviction if it has to.
More relevantly, it has the dimensions to make it a formidable city car and will, no doubt, be at home on our roads.
It would have been close to perfect if the GLA250 had a more raucous exhaust note, but I guess that's what the GLA 45 AMG is for.
The ride is nicely damped to effectively soak up any bumps on the road yet it'll hustle through unforgiving turns with little body roll. Hence, it's very confident-inspiring behind the wheel.
Conclusion
The GLA-Class is, indeed, an interesting proposition and it feels, looks and drives every bit like a grown-up A-Class. It combines the low-slung looks of a hot hatch with excellent ride comfort and bigger space. Hell, it'll even tackle off-road conditions with conviction if it has to.
More relevantly, it has the dimensions to make it a formidable city car and will, no doubt, be at home on our roads.
It would have been close to perfect if the GLA250 had a more raucous exhaust note, but I guess that's what the GLA 45 AMG is for.
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