First Drive: Mercedes-Benz GLA
by Joanne Ahern • March 12, 2014 • Car Reviews, First Drives
Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz GLA compact SUV start from €35,800
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the latest model in the German car maker’s bid to attract younger drivers to the marque.
The GLA is built on the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class platform and presents as a sleek and stylish compact SUV – the first of its type for Mercedes-Benz. We got a chance to take it for a spin at its Irish launch this week.
Inside, the cabin is spacious with great legroom in the front and adequate legroom in the back. The boot also is a decent size.
The seats in the car are quite upright, even in the back. I like this but it might not be to everyone’s taste. Two adults of average height would fit comfortably in the rear.
The dashboard is functional and uncomplicated and the steering wheel has a nice solid feel to it.
With younger driver in its sights, it’s no surprise that connected technology is to the fore – with access to Facebook, Twitter, internet radio, and Siri voice control.
It seems to be weighted towards iPhone technology – we’ll explore Android and Windows compatibility when we have it for a longer drive over the coming weeks.
Four trim levels are available – Style, Urban, AMG and Exclusive, with a choice of four engines – two diesel and two petrol.
The first engine available in Ireland is the 2.2-litre 136bhp GLA200 CDI diesel, which is priced from €35,800. This is the car we drove at the launch.
Mercedes-Benz says this has a top speed of 205kph and can accelerate from 0-100kph in 10 seconds. It falls into the €200 annual car tax band.
The cockpit in the Mercedes-Benz GLA is functional and uncluttered
The test car was a six-speed manual (it’s also available in a 7G dual clutch automatic) with an electric parking brake and I had it on motorway and suburban roads. I found it smooth on both with an easy glide through the gears.
Also on the way engine-wise is a 170bhp GLA220 CDI, plus two petrol models – a 1.6-litre 156bhp GLA200 and a 2.0-litre 211bhp GLA250.
Coming hot on the tail of the practically self-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the GLA is also highly safety conscious. Drowsiness detection and a collision prevention system with adaptive brake function are standard.
A system which automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of a collision if the driver fails to react to slower moving traffic is optional. This operates at speeds of up to 200kph.
Optional blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, high beam control and park assist are also available.
While the Mercedes-Benz GLA is aimed at the day-to-day urban driver, it is also available with 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales manager, Ciaran Allen said: ‘Following recent A-Class, B-Class and CLA introductions, the arrival of the GLA sees Mercedes-Benz take another decisive step towards capturing that younger breed of motorists that has long been in its sights.
‘Fourth of five planned new models from Mercedes-Benz, the GLA brings them into the rapidly expanding compact premium SUV market – the fastest growing segment globally and one that is predicted to treble in size over the next decade.’
The GLA is a first for Mercedes-Benz in the compact SUV market and my first impressions are good, and have tickled my curiosity for further exploration.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is in showrooms now, with prices starting from €35,800.
Visit the Mercedes-Benz Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.
