The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA is here to take its seat as the youngest of the compact siblings from the premium car maker. But what exactly is different from the previous generation?
Following several teasers, that revealed the exterior lines, but also the interior of the car, the new GLA is here. The model has grown by 10 centimeters in height, which is translated into more headroom, but is one centimeter and a half shorter, without – Mercedes claims – affecting kneeroom, since the wheelbase was extended from 2,699 millimeters to 2,729 millimeters.
The new GLA has received the company’s new grille, the one with vertical slats being reserved for the AMG more potent variants. From the side, the plastic cladding highlights the adventurous nature of the car. The variants equipped with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system come with the Off-Road Engineering Package, that includes an extra driving program, a hill-descent control and an off-road animation, as well as MULTIBEAM LED with off-road driving function.
With compact proportions, short overhangs, powerful domes on the hood, a descending roofline and newly designed wheels, with sizes up to 20 inches, the GLA comes to confirm its strong personality.
The future GLA owner may choose from one of the display variants: the one with the two 7-inch screens, the one with the 7-inch screen combined with a 10.25-inch display and the top-of-the-range configuration with two 10.25-inch displays. The model is standardly equipped with the MBUX system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). Customers can also tick the box for the Driving Assistance Package with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steer Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.
Mercedes grants his model with a higher driving and sitting position and more kneeroom and headroom for those in the rear seats, that can slide 14 centimeters to the front or to the rear. The boot volume also increased from 421 to 435 liters.
The GLA can be equipped with the car wash function, carried over from its bigger brother, the GLS. A simple push of a button folds the side mirrors, the side windows are raised, the sliding roof is closed. The feature also blocks the data usually transferred to the rain sensor, so that the windshield wipers do not start during the car wash. A 360-degree camera guides the driver through, so he can position the vehicle easier.
The GLA receives a 4-centimeter wider track width and a 9-millimeter greater ground clearance, compared to those of the previous model.
The new crossover can be ordered with 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The new 1.33-liter turbo unit, developed in partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, finds its way under the bonnet of the GLA 200 variant, delivering 163 horsepower and 250 Nm.
The top of the range is currently the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC< with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine with 306 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Mercedes is also working on a plug-in variant.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLA will hit the showrooms across Europe in the spring of 2020 and will make it to China and the United States in the summer of next year. The model will roll off the assembly lines of the Rastatt plant in Germany and in Beijing, China.
The new GLA does look striking! I especially love how it resembles the new B class very much, and equipped with the latest MBUX system. As the new GLA model now looked similar to the B class, I would be stuck in deciding which model to go for a hatchback. But overall, I guess the main conclusion that I take away is that the B class is more for a family-oriented hatchback, whereas the new GLA is a more sporty and aggressive looking option.
Looking at the GLA 35 from the pictures, it looked quite big and I guess if one wanted to opt for a more aggressive option, the new GLA is a better choice as the B class does not have an AMG variant. This brings a great question, why B class model never have an AMG option?
Some years ago, at the former generation a Mercedes PR told me that a van is not a good base for a sporty version. This was the case of the former generation. the new one looks more sporty but still tis car is bought by many older people who looks for a high driving position. And they do not want an AMG version.