Mercedes-Benz GLA 2014 - International
The latest compact Mercedes-Benz is a convincing addition to the prestige compact crossover ranksThe first thing to ask yourself about the Mercedes-Benz GLA is whether it’s an SUV or not.
If you think of an SUV as some sort of go-anywhere, do-anything machine then the GLA does not fit the bill. Not unless your definition of go-anywhere means any shopping centre and do-anything is any school run or commute.
No, the GLA more falls into that hazier ‘crossover’ category. It’s not an off-roader yet it’s not an orthodox on-roader either. It is a compact five-door hatchback with a raised ride height.
It is also, judging by our first taste at the global launch in southern Spain, a very well-crafted small car that Benz will surely have little trouble selling given its limited supply and Australians’ increasing love of SUV-style vehicles.
We’ve published a detailed breakdown of the GLA range here, but to reprise briefly; three models are head our way – the turbo-diesel 200 CDI front-wheel drive in April, the turbo-petrol 250 4MATIC all-wheel drive in July and the extreme 45 AMG in September. All three will come with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions as standard and the pricing starts at $47,900, climbs through $57,900 and finishes at $79,900 (plus on-road costs).
The GLA is based on the same MFA front- and all-wheel drive architecture as the A-, B-, CLA- and the soon-to-be-released CLA-Class Shooting Brake. In equipment terms it lines up almost identically with the CLA and logical rivals are the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and MINI Countryman.
Our tasting plate of GLAs in Spain included the 250 4MATIC, a manual version of the front-drive 200 CDI and a 220 CDI 4MATIC.
The 250 is expected by Benz to be the biggest seller in the range. We can understand why.
The 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine is already well established in the MFA line-up and with its clean, crisp delivery, strong response and smoothness it is a stand-out unit. It bonds very well with the seven-speed DCT, which has a terrific intuitiveness in Sport mode that almost negates the need to go to manual mode and slice through gears using the well-placed paddles. Almost…
The chassis is the drivetrain’s willing playmate. AMG input has been baked into the MFA architecture from day one and it shows up in the excellent grip levels, controlled body movements and responsive electro-mechanical steering when pushing along. If you never drive a 45 AMG you might decide you need nothing more than this cohesive and enjoyable package.
The diesels are less convincing, although bear in mind neither vehicle we drove reflects the Australian 200 CDI exactly.
The 220 CDI 4MATIC had stodgy steering, a vibration at idle and low engine speeds and a generally lethargic feel. The 200, running a lower 100kW/300Nm output version of the same 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and shorn of 80kg in kerb weight, felt a more lithe handler and ran more smoothly and sweetly.
We also had the chance to try out a 200 CDI 4MATIC with the off-road pack, including the 30mm raised ride height, which won’t be coming to Australia. The course through a dry river bed, then up, over and down a hill was not a serious challenge and the GLA dealt with it comfortably. Realistically, the run to the beach and snow are the limits of its ambition.
Where all GLAs impress, whatever their drivetrain, is in the cabin.
There is enough space here for four adults and enough volume in the boot for a soft bag of luggage each. There are door pockets all-round and significant space liberated in the centre console by positioning the gearshift lever on the reach- and rake-adjustable steering column.
The front sports seat are supportive and comfortable, in the rear the bench provides a decent amount of under-thigh support, although you do sit a little knees-up. The centre-rear position is compromised by a substantial exhaust tunnel. You feel as if you are sitting deep within this car as the rear windows are small.
The dashboard is recognisably MFA with the dual instruments located under a hood and three circular air-vents in the centre of the dash under a tablet-style media screen run by Benz’s dial-based COMAND system.
Fit and finish was excellent in all the cars we sampled. Probably the most obvious issue was the amount of tyre noise that seeped into the cabin, although it varied depending on the size of the tyre (we tried both 18s and 19s) and the coarseness of the Spanish bitumen. There was some low-speed ride lumpiness in the rear seat.
On Australian bitumen we will wait and see with interest how the GLA shapes up. Whether it is an SUV, crossover or just a tall hatch, the fact is it presents another strong gambit by Benz into a part of the market that is booming.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC price and specs:
Price: $57,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 155kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (combined)
CO2: 151g/km (combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
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What we liked: |
Not so much: |
| >> Excellent interior quality and space | >> Ride a bit stiff-legged at low speed |
| >> Fine on-road manners | >> Some noise intrusion – especially in the rear |
| >> Zesty turbo-petrol engine | >> No spare tyre |
Read the review of Benz GLA 45 AMG
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