Mercedes-Benz has joined the small-SUV market with a new GLA model that’s aiming to compete at the pricey end of the spectrum. I don’t want to say luxury end, because for me that can be a state of mind. The three-point star on the front grille may signify a luxury brand, but let’s look at the new GLA in terms of other factors, like value.
The GLA is going to be a niche player in a market segment that’s dominated by the Volkswagen Tiguan, with the Audi Q3 close behind, followed by the BMW X1 series. Between them, these three more expensive brands have accounted for over 1,000 sales so far this year, so they are a popular choice, but not as popular as the best-selling Nissan Qashqai, which continues to dominate the SUV market.
The compelling feature of the new Mercedes Benz GLA is the brand image. If that’s what does it for you, read on and remember that brand image costs.
After a few days behind the wheel and some 800km later, I’ve looked carefully at where the GLA fits into the market. It fits in terms of prestige and style. It has that feeling of luxury, once you add a few expensive extras to the deal. The styling is modern and the interior looks impressive. From the tablet-like central information display panel to the overall dash design, there’s a very modern look to the car.
The Mercedes-Benz hallmarks include the stalk-type automatic control lever and the new electric handbrake. This leaves a clear and uncluttered dash area and a centre console that makes the GLA feel spacious. It probably needs to feel so as the headroom is a little tight and that was with the twin panoramic sunroofs which cost an extra €2,196. Without them, I imagine that I would be in trouble height-wise and me a 5ft 10in driver.
The seating is modern, but I had trouble getting really comfortable. The look is great on the one-piece seat profile, but I just couldn’t get the best seating position in terms of height, while still getting a clear dash view and feel fully comfortable.
In performance terms, the 2.1-litre Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine is about average. It is rated at 136bhp – that’s lower than the Audi Q3 and the 2.0-litre version of the BMW X1.
Its acceleration performance is almost as good, at 9.9 seconds for a 0 to 100km/hr dash, but only just.
However, the economy rating is better, at 22.2km/litre (4.5l/100km or 62.8 mpg).
On paper, that puts the GLA at the top of the class, along with the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine Honda CR-V that we have recently featured. In reality, my test drive gave a poorer result – more than 30% poorer.
There’s a lot more power in the GLA, apart from the luxurious design, but it’s noticeably smaller and less practical than the CR-V. The rear seats are firm, again headroom is an issue, while legroom is acceptable.
The GLA is marginally lighter than most of the competition, which enhances its performance. It feels heavy to drive and be in, but it’s only 50kg heavier than the new Nissan Qashqai – still one of my favourite SUVs on the market.
The boot is also smaller. While the rear seats fold, they don’t give anything like the space in the Q3, X1 or the Tiguan when folded down and there’s no spare wheel. I wouldn’t like to try to repair that impressive 18in tyre on a country road without a spare, and there’s room in the boot for it.
The overall standard GLA package includes air conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, eco stop/start and the impressive Mercedes-Benz Collision Prevention Assist (CPA) system. The latter is a useful feature, especially for city driving. The reversing camera feature is a €571 option and it’s very useful because there is an obvious rear angle blind spot on both sides.
The frightening part is the price, at €39,260 or £25,850 in Northern Ireland. That’s a huge price difference to begin with and a poor comparison with the competition. Audi’s entry-level Q3 and the BMW X1 both come for about €5,000 less and they are more spacious. The Volkswagen Tiquan is in between. All are two-wheel drives.
This is an image SUV that feels a little cramped and is too expensive to be competitive. If you can afford that status, you have to consider the Audi Q3 or a BMW X1 as options.
If you can’t, then there’s great SUV value in the new Nissan Qashqai or the Toyota RAV4, while the Honda CR-V has the most impressive fuel economy rating and needs serious consideration. CL
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Engine 2.1-litre petrolEngine power 136bhp 0-100km/hr 9.9 secondsEconomy 22.2km/litreFuel tank capacity 50 litresCO2 emissions 119g/kmRoad tax band A4 (€200)Main service 20,000km Euro NCAP rating Five starsWarranty Three yearsEntry price €39,260NI price £25,850
Mercedes-Benz has joined the small-SUV market with a new GLA model that’s aiming to compete at the pricey end of the spectrum. I don’t want to say luxury end, because for me that can be a state of mind. The three-point star on the front grille may signify a luxury brand, but let’s look at the new GLA in terms of other factors, like value.
The GLA is going to be a niche player in a market segment that’s dominated by the Volkswagen Tiguan, with the Audi Q3 close behind, followed by the BMW X1 series. Between them, these three more expensive brands have accounted for over 1,000 sales so far this year, so they are a popular choice, but not as popular as the best-selling Nissan Qashqai, which continues to dominate the SUV market.
The compelling feature of the new Mercedes Benz GLA is the brand image. If that’s what does it for you, read on and remember that brand image costs.
After a few days behind the wheel and some 800km later, I’ve looked carefully at where the GLA fits into the market. It fits in terms of prestige and style. It has that feeling of luxury, once you add a few expensive extras to the deal. The styling is modern and the interior looks impressive. From the tablet-like central information display panel to the overall dash design, there’s a very modern look to the car.
The Mercedes-Benz hallmarks include the stalk-type automatic control lever and the new electric handbrake. This leaves a clear and uncluttered dash area and a centre console that makes the GLA feel spacious. It probably needs to feel so as the headroom is a little tight and that was with the twin panoramic sunroofs which cost an extra €2,196. Without them, I imagine that I would be in trouble height-wise and me a 5ft 10in driver.
The seating is modern, but I had trouble getting really comfortable. The look is great on the one-piece seat profile, but I just couldn’t get the best seating position in terms of height, while still getting a clear dash view and feel fully comfortable.
In performance terms, the 2.1-litre Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine is about average. It is rated at 136bhp – that’s lower than the Audi Q3 and the 2.0-litre version of the BMW X1.
Its acceleration performance is almost as good, at 9.9 seconds for a 0 to 100km/hr dash, but only just.
However, the economy rating is better, at 22.2km/litre (4.5l/100km or 62.8 mpg).
On paper, that puts the GLA at the top of the class, along with the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine Honda CR-V that we have recently featured. In reality, my test drive gave a poorer result – more than 30% poorer.
There’s a lot more power in the GLA, apart from the luxurious design, but it’s noticeably smaller and less practical than the CR-V. The rear seats are firm, again headroom is an issue, while legroom is acceptable.
The GLA is marginally lighter than most of the competition, which enhances its performance. It feels heavy to drive and be in, but it’s only 50kg heavier than the new Nissan Qashqai – still one of my favourite SUVs on the market.
The boot is also smaller. While the rear seats fold, they don’t give anything like the space in the Q3, X1 or the Tiguan when folded down and there’s no spare wheel. I wouldn’t like to try to repair that impressive 18in tyre on a country road without a spare, and there’s room in the boot for it.
The overall standard GLA package includes air conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, eco stop/start and the impressive Mercedes-Benz Collision Prevention Assist (CPA) system. The latter is a useful feature, especially for city driving. The reversing camera feature is a €571 option and it’s very useful because there is an obvious rear angle blind spot on both sides.
The frightening part is the price, at €39,260 or £25,850 in Northern Ireland. That’s a huge price difference to begin with and a poor comparison with the competition. Audi’s entry-level Q3 and the BMW X1 both come for about €5,000 less and they are more spacious. The Volkswagen Tiquan is in between. All are two-wheel drives.
This is an image SUV that feels a little cramped and is too expensive to be competitive. If you can afford that status, you have to consider the Audi Q3 or a BMW X1 as options.
If you can’t, then there’s great SUV value in the new Nissan Qashqai or the Toyota RAV4, while the Honda CR-V has the most impressive fuel economy rating and needs serious consideration. CL
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Engine 2.1-litre petrolEngine power 136bhp 0-100km/hr 9.9 secondsEconomy 22.2km/litreFuel tank capacity 50 litresCO2 emissions 119g/kmRoad tax band A4 (€200)Main service 20,000km Euro NCAP rating Five starsWarranty Three yearsEntry price €39,260NI price £25,850 
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