Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2026 review | The junior SUV that Mercedes was missing

What is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

They say there’s no accounting for taste, and the first-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA Class proved it. Just like the A-Class hatchback of the same vintage on which it was based, this bulkier SUV spin-off really wasn’t very good. It wasn’t very comfortable, it wasn’t very practical and it wasn’t all that classy inside. It wasn’t all that well equipped, either, or very economical, or very enjoyable to drive. It seemed, however, to be a desirable car. Somehow, Mercedes still managed to sell plenty of them, despite the GLA’s significant flaws.

Today, you could argue SUVs are even more popular than when the first-generation GLA was launched. Which is why this second-gen GLA needs to be better than the original to keep up with the fierce competition. Launched at the start of 2020, it’s the joint-smallest SUV Mercedes sells, alongside the fully electric EQA. The GLA is also the least expensive SUV with a three-pointed star, at around £9,000 less than the larger GLB, £12,000 less than an EQA and £23,000 less than the GLC.

At launch, initial signs that this car improved upon its predecessor were encouraging. For starters, the A-Class had been overhauled a little while before, and Merc’s new family hatchback was a head-and-shoulders better than the car it replaced, meaning the second-generation GLA was off to a much better start.

The GLA gained all of the same impressive infotainment and safety technology as the A-Class (more on these later), as well as its improved mechanical package. What’s more, the undeserved success of the first GLA proved there was a strong appetite for such a car among buyers. Would those buyers’ appetites be served by a significantly better car, particularly one yet further enhanced by a mid-life refresh in 2023?

How practical is it?

For starters, the styling of the second-generation Mercedes GLA is far more plausible than its predecessor. It actually looks like a proper SUV, rather than a hatchback with a jacked-up ride height and some extra plastic cladding. Beyond looking the part, it does a better job when it comes to practicality, too.

There is plenty of space up front, as you’d expect, but the rear is nice and roomy with a good level of legroom. The boot measures 487 litres in diesel-powered versions, 485 litres in cars with petrol engines, and 445 litres in the hybrid GLE 250 e. The seats have a 40:20:40 split, which means a good level of flexibility if you need to move something larger (although you could feel a little squeezed in the central rear seat). Fold the rear bench all the way down and diesel, petrol and hybrid versions of the GLA offer 1,422, 1,420 or 1,385 litres of luggage space, respectively.

If you need to tow, all varieties of the GLA have a 750kg unbraked limit. With a braked trailer, however, you can bump up capacity to between 1,600kg and 2,000kg, depending on the powertrain, The all-wheel-drive diesel model is the most capable in this regard.

Mercedes-Benz, like many other car manufacturers, offers a good range of official accessories. There are rubber floor mats (particularly handy in winter time), along with a rubber boot liner, roof boxes, roof bars and bicycle racks. Mercedes isn’t the most innovative or comprehensive with its accessories, but most bases are covered here.

What's it like to drive?

Jumping behind the wheel, it’s certainly more civilised than the previous GLA, albeit still not perfect. The suspension remains slightly fidgety and unsettled at low-to-moderate speeds, but deals with big bumps better than small ones. The ride flattens out at a faster pace, however, so it’s comfortable on the motorway. It should be noted that the only GLAs we’ve driven so far have been AMG Line cars, which have a lower ride height, so vehicles on standard suspension may be more comfortable.

On the plus side, the sportier suspension does result in tidy handling. Body-roll is neatly contained as you change direction for a crisp, agile feel, and there’s also lots of grip to call upon. The steering doesn’t offer you much in the way of feedback, but it’s pretty responsive and has a nice meaty weight to it. In these respects, it feels not too dissimilar from the first-gen GLA, which had a similar sense of predictability.

Powertrain-wise, things have changed very little since the car was launched in 2020, even after a mid-life facelift in 2023. There’s a varied line-up of four-cylinder turbocharged engines to choose from, including 1.3-litre petrol units in the 134bhp GLA 180 and the 161bhp GLA 200. The same engine can also be found in the plug-in hybrid GLA 250 e, which has 215bhp and a fully electric driving range of 43-45 miles, depending on the trim level chosen. On the diesel front, there’s a 2.0-litre turbo with 148bhp in the GLA 200d, or 187bhp in the GLA 220d.

For a little extra spice, Mercedes does of course offer AMG versions. There are two to choose between: the GLA 35 4Matic and the GLA 45 S 4Matic+. Both use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the 35 makes do with 302bhp and 295lb ft of torque, the 45 S has 415bhp and 369lb ft. Both also use all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, resulting in respective 0-62mph times of 5.2 and 4.3 seconds. Isn’t it crazy how cars that present themselves as small, respectable family SUVs have the same performance as supercars from a few decades ago?

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Up front, there is the lofty driving position you’d expect from an SUV, stacks of luxury kit and an array of digital screens that make the cabin feel high-tech and sophisticated. The impressive quality of the materials and assembly helps on that score, too, something that has helped the second-generation GLA get closer to its premium rivals. These include the Audi Q2 and Q3, BMW X1 and X2, and the Volvo XC40.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA gets front and rear LED lights, attention assist, active brake assist, lane-keep assist, a 180-degree reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and go, heated front seats and air conditioning as standard. Other goodies, such as a panoramic sunroof, adaptive multibeam LED lights, two-zone climate control, electric front seats and a 360-degree parking camera are available on higher trim levels.

As for in-car infotainment, the GLA is nicely appointed. Standard in every model is a central 10.25-inch infotainment display on the dashboard, alongside a 10.25-inch instrument cluster ahead of the driver. You also get Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, a DAB radio and ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice activation. Live traffic information is free for the first three years, after which you’ll pay a small fee for the privilege. The standard sound system is a 100-watt unit, but AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus models gain an upgraded 225-watt system. A head-up display is also available, but only with the top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus.

AMG versions are the pick of the bunch in terms of technology and features, although there are some small differences between the GLA 35 Premium and Premium Plus trim levels, then the GLA 45 S Plus trim. The GLA Premium looks relatively subtle, as it does without a rear wing and other obvious aerodynamic add-ons for the 35 Premium Plus and 45 S Plus. The flagship GLA 45 S, meanwhile, features a three-stage traction and stability control system, a higher top speed of 174mph (versus a limited 155mph), and a system called AMG Track Pace, which stores your lap times and allows you to look through them later (should you embark on a track day or two).

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class running costs

Prices for the GLA start at just north of £37,000 for the Sport Edition, rising all the way to £49,000 for the AMG Line Premium Plus. The feisty AMG models, on the other hand, begin with the GLA 35 Premium at over £56,000, rising to £59,000 for the 35 Premium Plus and £75,000 for the GLA AMG 45 S Plus. These figures are roughly in line with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, though BMW offers a wider powertrain lineup. All three cars are likely to depreciate at roughly the same rate if you buy them new, but the GLA is fundamentally an older car, so if you were to buy used you could get more bang for your buck.

For buyers of brand new GLAs, your first-year road tax bill (which you probably won’t notice as it’s rolled up into your car’s on-the-road price) will vary depending on the engine and the trim line chosen. Generally, this is either £130 or £560, but some unlucky versions are just over the line in terms of CO2 emissions, bumping them up from the £560 band to the £1,410 band. That’s the case with the AMG Line Executive GLA 220d 4Matic, for example, as well as the AMG Line Premium GLA 200. With the AMG models, it’s £3,420 for the 35 cars and £4,850 for a 45 S. After that first year, versions that cost less than £40,000 when new will set you back £210 per year in road tax, while cars that cost more than that threshold will be subject to an additional £440 surcharge for the five-year period. Be mindful of the options list, then, or you’ll be sending extra cash to the Treasury every year…

Where fuel economy is concerned, a diesel will be the best choice for high-mileage drivers, but city commuters may find greater efficiency and lower costs in the long run from a petrol. The GLA 180 petrol returns 42.8mpg, according to Mercedes, while the 200 can see between 40.9 and 43.5mpg. The GLA 200d offers 49.6-52.3mpg, while the heavier and more powerful all-wheel-drive 220d 4Matic achieves 46.3-48.7mpg.

The 250e delivers 235.4 to 282.5mpg, thanks to its clever plug-in hybrid system, although that is only on paper. It all depends how often you leave the house with a full charge, how light you are with the throttle, and so on. As a general rule across the board, the lesser powered cars are more frugal, but in turn you’ll need to work their engines harder – when accelerating onto motorway slip roads, for example.

Mercedes-Benz offers two types of service plans, ServiceCare and CompleteCare, which include MOTs when they are eventually needed, as well as regular servicing. They vary in price by model and mileage, so you’d need to chat to a Mercedes retailer to better understand how much one would cost you with a new GLA.

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reliability

The Mercedes GLA isn’t class-leading in terms of reliability, but it isn’t that bad either. In the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the GLA ranked joint 32nd out of 76 vehicles in the small SUV class, finishing alongside the Hyundai Tucson. For comparison, the BMW X1 ranked 64th, while the latest Audi Q3 is still too new to be assessed. As a brand overall, however, Mercedes-Benz finished joint 22nd out of 30 alongside Audi, which isn’t much to shout about.

It’s not all bad news, though. Every new GLA gets a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which in turn means relatively new used models could still be covered (provided they’ve been serviced and maintained within the Mercedes dealer network). In addition there is a Mercedes-Benz Extended Warranty, which varies model by model but in effect allows you to retain a warranty on your GLA beyond that three-year period. All for a monthly or annual fee, of course…