Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

106 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

T

he Mercedes GLA SUV range
starts at $44,700 for the
90kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol front-
wheel-drive GLA180. The 100kW
2.1-litre turbodiesel front-wheel-
drive GLA220d is $52,100. Opt
for the sportier performance and
all-wheel-drive grip of the 155kW
2.0-litre turbopetrol GLA250 and
the price rises to $61,800. The
280kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol all-
wheel-drive GLA45 AMG hotrod
costs $90,200.
The performance spread
ranges from sedate to
sensational. The diesel-powered
GLA220 reaches triple fi gures
in a claimed 7.7 seconds, so it’s
quicker than BMW’s X1 18d and
Audi’s Q3 2.0 TDI and, offi cially
at least, more frugal too.
The GLA250 clips the 0–100km/
h ticket in 7.1 seconds. It is an
impressive number put into
perspective by responsive idle to
redline real-world performance.

The GLA45 AMG hits 100km/h

just 4.8 seconds after take-off

— the same claimed time as

the ferocious ML63 AMG — but

it is the always-there roll-on

acceleration and accompanying

snap and crackle from the

exhaust that marks this as one

of the most enjoyable, potent

performance SUVs around.

Transmission is a seven-

speed dual-clutch automatic

with standard Eco, Sports and

Manual modes. All-wheel-drive

(4Matic in Mercedes-speak)

models use an on-demand all-

wheel-drive system that drives

the front wheels in normal, dry

conditions and can transfer up

to 50 per cent of torque to the

rear wheels when required.

The GLA250 features an

off-road mode that adjusts

the throttle, gear changes and

traction/stability control

system for driving on loose

surfaces. It also has a “Downhill

Speed Regulation” switch to

manually set and control speed

when descending.

Comfort suspension in the non-

AMG models is as well modulated

as any Mercedes sedan, delivering

a great balance between ride

comfort and handling.

Stabiliser bars help contain,

though not eliminate, body

gyrations around corners

and the steering is typically

Mercedes — indirect just off

centre before transitioning into

immediate, precise response.

The lower, tauter GLA45 AMG

sports suspension absorbs

rather than absolves small road

irregularities.

It’s a welcome trade-off/

trait in a vehicle with this much

cornering capacity and operates

in concert with speed-sensitive

steering that transfers details

on road camber and condition

directly into your hands.

If you’ve seen inside a CLA

sedan, the GLA will hold no

surprises beyond the fact that the

sit-down-and-in seating position

in those cars is changed in favour

of a higher hip-point SUV-style

driving position, well-sculpted

seats and relatively spacious rear

legroom, making it a comfortable

cruiser for four adults.

Above the waistline the GLA

looks, feels and is fi nished like

a Benz, but the plastics on the

lower front fascia and between

the seats don’t exude the quality

look and feel found in more

prestigious Benz models, while

Mercedes’ infotainment system

lacks the functionality, clarity and

depth of BMW’s iDrive.

Open the powered tailgate

and the low, wide fl oor can hold

plenty of cargo. The rear seat

folds forward in a 60/40 split to

extend capacity further.

Drive the GLA back to back

with Volvo’s class-leading XC40,

BMW’s X1 and VW’s Tiguan. All

are more spacious; the VW is also

a bargain in comparison.

MERCEDES GLA-CLASS FROM $44,700 S

Safety

Euro NCAP

Green Vehicle Guide

Performance:

(GLA200);

(GLA250);

(GLA45)

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

THINGS WE LIKE

 Taut, responsive chassis

 Outstanding turbopetrol engines

 Roomy, comfortable cabin

 Excellent ride/handling compromise

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Diesel noise under acceleration

Some cheap interior plastics

Restricted rear vision

Dated infotainment system

SPEX (GLA250)

2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/

seven-speed automatic/all-

wheel drive

155kW of power at 5500rpm/350Nm

of torque from 1200–4000rpm.

0–100km/h in 7.1 seconds (claimed)

5.5L/100km highway; 8.2L/100km

city; 95 octane premium; CO 2

emissions are 151g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Nine airbags, stability

control, 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-

xenon headlamps, active parking

assist, Bluetooth, blind spot assist,

reversing camera and artifi cial

leather upholstery. GLA250

adds 19-inch wheels, directional

lighting and a sunroof. GLA45 AMG

adds sports seats and replaces

the steering column-mounted

transmission lever with a square-

topped shifter residing in its

rightful place in the centre console

Redbook future values: 3yr: 55%;

5yr: 42%.

compare with ...

BMW X1, Jaguar E Pace, Mini

Countryman, Toyota C-HR, VW

Tiguan, Volvo XC40