Feedback

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is now a proper SUV

Derryn Wong
19/12/2019

UPDATE: We’ve got price details and more for the new GLA and if you want to lead our local test drive report of the GLA 200 Progressive, click here!

STUTTGART, GERMANY — The second iteration of the Mercedes-Benz GLA small luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been unveiled by the German luxury brand.

The new GLA is expected to arrive in Singapore in the first half of 2020, with the gasoline-powered GLA 200 and GLA 35 AMG models slated for launch in the Lion City. 

The new GLA joins the Mercedes-Benz small car lineup as the eight and final model (for now), following the A-Class sedan, A-Class sedan long wheelbase (China only), A-Class hatchback, the B-Class MPV, the CLA four-door coupe, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLB seven-seat SUV

The GLA is the last of the compact models to reach a new generation, and like those cars just mentioned, it runs on the improved MFA2 front-wheel drive architecture that features a larger footprint for increased space, a new drivetrain and totally new interior and driver interface.

More space was what the GLA always needed. Although termed an SUV, it was one of the least tall cars in its class, and it felt more like a small hatchback than a crossover.

The new model corrects those faults right off the bat: At 4,410mm long, 1,834mm wide, and 1,611mm tall, the new car is 14mm shorter, but is 30mm wider, a whole 104mm taller, and has a 30mm longer wheelbase. 

Mercedes claims big increases to interior room to match – rear legroom opens up by a generous 116mm, rear shoulder and elbow room increase by more than 40mm. Front headroom dips a little, by six mm, but shoulder and elbow room are increased.



The rear loading aperture is 85mm wider, and 27mm deeper, and the boot size increases 14-litres to 435-litres in total. More utility is added with variable second row seats (adjustable for backrest angle and with a 40/20/40 split-fold) and boot floor. 

Mercedes has also taken steps to make it feel more SUV-like to drive – it says the seating position is higher this time around, and more upright, while the A-pillars block less of the driver’s vision. 

The rest of the improvements will be in line with what we’ve seen with the A-Class and the rest of the small Mercedes models – dual 10.25-inch screens, one for instrument display and the other a touchscreen that’s the centrepiece of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Interface) infotainment system, which also has advanced voice control.


Watch more: What about a more spacious GLA with seven seats? The GLB is what you need..





The GLA 200 shown here in Edition 1 Progressive trim

Powering the base GLA 200 model will be the 1.33-litre turbocharged 163hp engine, again seen throughout the small Merc range, with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sending power to the front wheels. 0-100km/h is achieved in 8.7 seconds, with a 210km/h top speed. Initial efficiency figures stand at approximately 5.8L/100km and 134g/km.


In line with what we’ve seen in Singapore for the other small Mercedes models, we can expect there to be Progressive and AMG Line variants of the GLA 200. Shown above in grey is the Edition One AMG Line model, which has special wheels and red highlights.

Like the GLB, the range-topper will be the 2.0-litre Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 model, which has all-wheel drive to better utilise its 306hp and 400Nm of torque. That delivers 0-100km/h in a quick 5.1-seconds and a top speed of 250km/h. 

The GLA was its first small SUV in history, debuting in 2013 it was able to cash in on the crossover craze. In Singapore, the GLA 180 with its Category A Certificate of Entitlement (COE) eligible 1.6-litre 122hp engine was a particularly strong seller, and whether the new model can replicate that success is less certain, since it’s not Cat A eligible. 

What complicates the picture further in 2020 is the GLB – the GLA’s larger, seven-seat brother that could be priced very close to the GLA and would certainly be more of a default choice for one-car Singaporean families. 

Tags:

crossover Mercedes-Benz SUV

About the Author

Derryn Wong

CarBuyer's former chief editor was previously the editor for Top Gear Singapore and a presenter for CNA's Cruise Control motoring segment.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CarBuyer – Revolutionizing The Online Car Marketplace In Singapore

Buy Used And New Cars Online
Start your car buying journey with CarBuyer as we connect you seamlessly to the industry’s best CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealerships. As a one stop car online portal you can now buy your new ride, be it a pre-owned car or a brand new car from trusted dealers all over Singapore, all in one place. Our ever expanding listing of quality and covet-worthy cars, new and second hand, from both owners and trusted car dealers, will leave you spoilt for choice. Refine your search by vehicle type, registration year, price, mileage, engine type, transmission, annual depreciation value and more to find the car that best suits your needs, taste and lifestyle. You can even search for your car by dealer or directly by owner.

Sell Your Car In An Instant With Confidence
We all know how selling a car in Singapore can be a daunting task especially for a first time car seller; from trying to get a valuation for your car, finding a trusted dealer, to getting the best quote on your vehicle. CarBuyer understands the hassle and even the costs involved and have as such partnered with Huawei to develop a FIRST in Southeast Asia AI car valuation tool that is able to provide a car’s resale value at the snap of a finger. Backed with a consortium of trusted CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealers you can be assured that you are getting the best price for your vehicle and do not have to worry about any hidden costs.

The Ultimate Car Shopping Experience Online
CarBuyer platform is the first of its kind to be backed by Huawei’s Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing, enabling it to be able to offer users transparency and enhanced security, all with the one aim of enhancing customer experience. So come on over to buy and sell used cars online at the best prices at CarBuyer Singapore. Connect easily with dealers in real-time via our online video call feature, or schedule a test drive when you’re ready. Have some questions? Get them answered instantly with our chatbot moderated by our responsive team. Stay in the loop with our car-related tips, reviews and news. Learn the ins-and-outs of your car, as well as global and Singapore’s car updates at your own pace.