New Mercedes-Benz GLA priced and specced

Pricing and equipment levels for the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA have been announced for the Australian market, where the all-new small German SUV will be priced from $55,100 when it arrives here in August.

The entry-level 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA's price represents an increase of almost $10,000 over the current GLA 180 ($45,600), but all versions of the new GLA will bring more equipment, more interior space and more engine power while using less fuel.

The all-new baby Benz will take on the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 small SUVs and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA model range will  comprise four model grades in Australia, as follows:

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 -- $55,100
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC -- $66,500
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC -- $82,935
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4MATIC -- $107,035

The GLA 200 and 250 models arrive in Australia from August, while the AMG 35 will hit showrooms in October and the AMG 45 in November.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA has a slightly bigger boot at 435 litres, but the width of the cargo area has expanded by 85mm, which should make loading easier.

It's taller by 122mm than its predecessor and its 1616mm height creates a more “SUV-like seating position” with improved headroom, says the German car-maker.

Safety levels have been boosted, with every model fitted with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot assist with exit warning assistant, active lane keep assist, nine airbags, cross wind assist, PRE-SAFE accident anticipatory systems and traffic sign recognition.

However, adaptive cruise control is optional on most models and comes as part of the driving assistance package ($1990), which also adds active lane change assist and extended semi-autonomous driver assistance in traffic jams.

All Mercedes GLA model-grades come with twin 10.2-inch digital screens as part of the MBUX multimedia system. It also includes ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control with AI-learning.

Specification and equipment levels

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200

The entry-level GLA 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine (120kW/250Nm) with a fuel consumption rating of around 5.6L/100km.

The engine drives the front wheels via seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard features include:

Comfort seats with Artico leather-like upholstery
Keyless entry and engine start
Powered tailgate
Automatic climate control
MBUX multimedia system with satellite navigation
Reversing camera
Apple CarPlay
Google Android
Smartphone wireless charging
DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes
64-colour ambient lighting
Rain-sensing wipers
DAB+ digital radio
Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC,
Blind Spot Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Traffic Sign Assist
Adaptive High Beam Assist
LED headlights
19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels

Expected to be the volume-seller in Australia, the GLA 250 comes with all the equipment listed above, but gets a bigger, more responsive 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (165kW/350Nm) matched to a newer eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

It also gets all-wheel-drive, or 4MATIC in Merc-speak, which brings with it the off-road engineering package as standard for Aussie vehicles. This adds another option to the DYNAMIC SELECT drive mode system, plus hill descent control and off-road data (vehicle incline angle etc) on the main screen.

Multibeam LED headlights are added, which illuminate a wider area. Extra equipment over the GLA 200 includes:

Panoramic electric sunroof
Heated electric front seats with memory function
Lowered comfort suspension and sports-direct steering
Smartphone remote engine start
19-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels

There are two AMG GLA models, starting with the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 which is powered by a high-performance 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (225kW/400Nm).

Engine power is channelled to all four wheels via a dual-clutch eight-speed auto dubbed AMG Speedshift. Acceleration is rapid, taking just 5.1 seconds to rip to 100km/h. Equipment in addition to that of the GLA 200 and 250 model grades includes:

Steering wheel-mounted AMG drive selector
Nappa leather AMG Performance steering wheel
AMG Ride Control sports suspension
AMG high-performance brakes
AMG exhaust
AMG speed-sensitive power steering
AMG Night Package
AMG-specific bodywork
Lugano leather comfort sport seats
20-inch AMG twin spoke alloy wheels

The flagship model in the GLA range is the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4MATIC+, powered by an uprated version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing a standard-setting 310kW/500Nm.

The highly-strung engine hooks up to an eight-speed dual-clutch AMG automatic transmission with launch control. It accelerates to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 265km/h.

The 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system is more advanced than in the AMG GLA 35, and can spread torque more proactively across the rear axle, creating a quasi-rear-drive setup.

There’s also an AMG high-performance braking system with six-piston fixed callipers up front mated to 360mm perforated front discs. The rear brakes are single-piston callipers working on 330mm perforated discs. Additional equipment over the GLA 35 includes:

AMG Driver’s Package
AMG Performance microfibre steering wheel
Comfort sports seats in ‘Yellow Cut’ leather
AMG Track Pace
AMG exhaust system
Burmester surround sound system
Driving Assistance Package Plus
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
Lane Change Assist
Route-based speed adaptation
Parking Package (including 360° camera)
Multibeam LED headlights
AMG roof spoiler lip
AMG rear apron with diffuser
AMG-specific bodyshell stiffening
Front steering knuckles and rear axle subframe

There is also a limited-run Edition 1 pack that can be added to the Mercedes GLA 200 and GLA 250 models, priced at $6990 and $5990 respectively. The Edition 1 pack adds upgraded red-on-black seats, carbon structure trim highlights with ‘Edition’ lettering and AMG floor mats in red/black.

On the outside the Edition 1 package adds AMG front and rear bumpers, side skirts, tinted windows, 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels in black with red highlights, Multibeam LED headlights, glass panoramic sunroof, lowered suspension and the parking package with 360-degree camera.

Another popular add-on will be the vision package which costs $2690 on the GLA 200 and adds a panoramic glass roof, multibeam LED headlights with adaptive high beams and a parking package. It costs $1190 on the GLA 250 as that model already gets the pano glass roof.

How much does the Mercedes-Benz GLA cost?
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 -- $55,100
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 -- $66,500
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 -- $82,935
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S -- $107,035
* Prices exclude on-road costs