Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2026 review | The junior SUV that Mercedes was missing
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Muscular and athletic styling
Sharp to drive
Superb infotainment system
Cons
Mercedes has an iffy reputation for reliability
The 45 S is very expensive to fuel
Headroom is a little tight in the back
The CarGurus verdict
The original Mercedes GLA was a huge success, despite some fairly fundamental flaws. The second-generation car is a vastly superior offering that deserves to be a hit because of its qualities, rather than in spite of them.
The styling is now plausibly SUV-like, rather than resembling a jacked-up hatchback, while the chunkier dimensions also translate to more interior space and a bigger, more versatile boot. Cabin quality is as good as pretty much anything else in this class, too, and plenty of people will prefer the elevated driving position compared to an A-Class.
The driving experience is also much more competitive than before. The cars we’ve tried still feel a bit fidgety at low speed, but the ride is nevertheless comfortable enough and the GLA also handles fairly sharply. Its engines range from sensible to sensational, and most of them do a good job when it comes to fuel economy.
Could there be more kit included as standard, given you’re paying nearly £40,000 to get behind the wheel of a GLA? Absolutely, but where the Mercedes really marks itself out is the captivating cleverness of its super-slick infotainment system. Tech-heads will be sold immediately, and many other people will follow not long afterwards.
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…
- Mercedes-Benz trim levels aren’t always the easiest to understand or keep track of, with regular adjustments to the lineup. Accordingly, the GLA is available in a dizzying array of different trims, which currently include Sport Edition, Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. The entry-level Sport Edition (previously just named ‘Sport’) is well equipped, with climate control air-con, 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, DAB radio, navigation, heated front seats, cruise control and a reversing camera. Sport Executive doesn’t bring much to the table beyond the Sport Edition, while AMG Line cars add racier styling and sports seats. The AMG Line Executive trim brings 19-inch wheels, wireless phone charging and privacy glass, AMG Line Premium adds 20-inch wheels, larger brakes and adaptive dampers, while AMG Line Premium Plus boasts unique AMG-style wheels, the fanciest of fancy multibeam LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof.
- One of the GLA’s biggest attractions is its excellent MBUX infotainment system, which includes a central touchscreen and configurable digital dials presented in one integrated unit. These now measure 10.25 inches as standard, where earlier cars could be had with one or both of the displays measuring seven inches. The system looks great, works well, and has one of the best voice control systems you will find anywhere. The AMG models specifically benefit from ‘augmented reality’ navigation. This displays a camera image of the road in front of you and overlays it with animated instructions, pointing out exactly which turning you need to take. It looks very cool, and is actually really useful.
- Safety is important in any family car, so thankfully the GLA has a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating to its name. Standard safety equipment includes front, head, side and window airbags for the driver and passenger, plus a knee bag for the driver, as well as automatic emergency braking, attention assist and lane-keep assist. As is standard in many cars now, thanks to the latest safety regulations, there is a camera that monitors the driver and knows if you are taking your eyes off the road. These systems can prove irritating, but the GLA’s set-up recognises the driver’s face and will put the car in their specific profile if this is saved into the infotainment system.
- If you want the best economy: It depends where you spend most of your time driving, but for regular long-distance hauls, one of the diesels will be your best bet. The 200d is more frugal than the all-wheel-drive 220d 4Matic, with a combined economy figure of 49.6mpg (compared to 46.3mpg). However, the 220d is more powerful, with 187bhp rather than 148bhp, so the fuel savings also mean an engine with less grunt.
- If you spend lots of time in a city: Those habitually confined to towns and cities will want to avoid diesel engines, as these need regular high-speed motorway blasts to avoid DPF (diesel particulate filter) trouble down the line. Petrol power is thus more appropriate, and you could argue the GLA 200 delivers the best balance of performance, price and efficiency compared to the GLA 180. For ultimate in-city fuel saving, however, you need to look at something else…
- For the eco-warrior: That something else is the GLA 250e plug-in hybrid. It’s not cheap, but does offer an electric-only range of 43-45 miles: enough to cope with most people’s commutes to the office and back, or the school run. With regular charging at home, it’s entirely possible you could do most of your driving without using a single drop of petrol.
- For buyers on a budget: There’s no such thing as a cheap GLA, but the cheapest of the bunch is the GLA 180 in Sport Edition trim. It comes with enough kit, but with just 134bhp from its 1.3-litre petrol engine, some buyers might be left wanting more performance.
