Facelift (What's New)
1.6-litre engine delivering 121bhp and 200Nm of torque
Restyled front-end with LED High Performance headlamps
Updated infotainment system and steering wheel
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is the brand's compact crossover offering, the baby in the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) family. And since its launch in 2014, it has become a popular model, and a contributing factor to the continued growth of the segment.
Now, the GLA has undergone a light refresh, with a more expressive design and updated equipment. The one you see here, the GLA180, is the new base model for the GLA range.
The 1.6-litre engine delivers a modest 121bhp and 200Nm of torque
Base model?
You may have already figured from the designation that the GLA180 now sits below the GLA200 in the range. There is an important change under the bonnet - the GLA now can be had with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that delivers a modest 121bhp and 200Nm of torque.
It's not particularly fast, but then again, it doesn't need to be. The car rides decently well and is easy to drive. Plus, it's for people that need more space than a hatchback, but don't want something as burly as a full-size SUV. In this regard, the GLA certainly does what it sets out to do - get people around in relative comfort and ease.
The restyled front fascia gives the GLA a more rugged look
What else is different?
This lightly facelifted model has had some visual enhancements, most notable at the front. The tweaked grille and modified bumper gives the GLA a more rugged look.
The interior looks and feels pretty much as it did before - clean and simple design. There are some noticeable changes, though. The new steering wheel has a cleaner, more organised set of buttons, while the infotainment screen looks much sleeker and modern than before.
Now, the GLA has undergone a light refresh, with a more expressive design and updated equipment. The one you see here, the GLA180, is the new base model for the GLA range.
Base model?
You may have already figured from the designation that the GLA180 now sits below the GLA200 in the range. There is an important change under the bonnet - the GLA now can be had with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that delivers a modest 121bhp and 200Nm of torque.
It's not particularly fast, but then again, it doesn't need to be. The car rides decently well and is easy to drive. Plus, it's for people that need more space than a hatchback, but don't want something as burly as a full-size SUV. In this regard, the GLA certainly does what it sets out to do - get people around in relative comfort and ease.
What else is different?
This lightly facelifted model has had some visual enhancements, most notable at the front. The tweaked grille and modified bumper gives the GLA a more rugged look.
The interior looks and feels pretty much as it did before - clean and simple design. There are some noticeable changes, though. The new steering wheel has a cleaner, more organised set of buttons, while the infotainment screen looks much sleeker and modern than before.
So what's the deal?
Priced at $166,888 (as of 10th November 2017), the GLA180 is $18,000 cheaper than the GLA200, and that's a rather significant difference. This here is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz SUV you can buy right now. It's a relatively affordable compact SUV for people who want to get into German cars and clamour for the Mercedes badge.
The free-standing 8.0-inch media display is sleek and easy on the eyesIt gets the job done - you get from place to place with little fuss. You can't really expect very much in the way of luxury or power, but then that's precisely the point of why Mercedes now has such a wide-ranging portfolio of cars. If it's power you want, there's the GLA 45 AMG. If you want more creature comforts, there's the GLA250. The GLA180 is entry-level, and in some ways it feels that way, but that's no real knock on the car.
The GLA180 is a practical, comfortable and accessible compact crossover SUV choiceThe GLA180 is a practical, sensible and straightforward solution. And more often than not, that's good enough.
Priced at $166,888 (as of 10th November 2017), the GLA180 is $18,000 cheaper than the GLA200, and that's a rather significant difference. This here is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz SUV you can buy right now. It's a relatively affordable compact SUV for people who want to get into German cars and clamour for the Mercedes badge.
