2014 Mercedes-Benz GLA: First Review

The compact SUV segment is the hottest, most highly contested segment across a series of price ranges today. Although Mercedes-Benz till very recently was absent from this segment leaving the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 to stake a dominant claim. Both the X1 and the Q3 changed their parent companies fortunes in India by boosting sales while giving the eager Indian public a status symbol that was now very much in reach. With Mercedes-Benz now entering the fray with the GLA and judging by the response and heritage Mercedes has always enjoyed in India, things are bound to get interesting. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will join the ML, GL and G class range of SUVs in Mercedes-Benz India’s stable.

On the outset, the Mercedes-Benz GLA looks very similar to the A-Class and the B-Class. Considering the fact that the GLA is based on the same platform as the A and B Class, the visual similarities are obvious. A large two-slat grille finished in a shade of matte silver with chrome accents dominates the GLA’s front fascia. The centrally mounted star provides a sense of muscularity while the lower bumper, seen here with the sportier AMG pack blends a typically SUVish look with the sporty Mercedes look we have become so used to in recent years. One of the most striking features of the GLA though have to be the low greenhouse and the large wheel arches, a combination of which adds to the muscular impression of the GLA.

From the side, the GLA showcases a distinctive line that emerges from the headlamp and extends all the way to the rear wheel arch. The muscular look continues to the rear by the inward taper of the C-pillar. Combined with the large tail lamps and the almost coupe-esque profile, the GLA looks both dramatic and visually appealing. The large roof spoiler too adds to the overall look and feel of the GLA as it fuses seamlessly into the roof panel. The GLA in India will come standard with 17-inch wheels but comes with optional 18 or 19-inch wheels.

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The interior, shared with the likes of the A-Class and B-Class is typically classy and sporty. The centrally mounted screen combined with the three large air-conditioning vents lends an aeronautic touch to the GLA’s interior. The typically Mercedes-Benz centre console with the inbuilt telephone and audio controls does look a little outdated although they do their job well. The dashboard is finished in black leather with a silver accent piece running from left to right, looks mature and goes well with the silver accent on the steering wheel.

The GLA will be available with a 5-seater configuration. The wide choice of seat upholsteries in material (e.g. leather, fabric, fabric/leather) and colour combinations allows plenty of scope for individualisation. Sports seats with integrated head restraints are available as an optional extra although it is not sure if that option will be available in India at the time of launch. On the rear of the front seats, the headrests are framed with a shade of silver but can be specified with ambient lighting too.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA will get two engine options, a petrol and a diesel, both more powerful than the ones found on the A-Class and B-Class. The petrol, badged GLA200 Sport will come with a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection engine making 156PS of peak power at 3500rpm and 250Nm of peak torque between 1250-4000rpm. This Euro 6 compliant engine will be capable of propelling the GLA200 from 0-100kmph in 8.9-seconds on to a claimed top speed of 205kmph.

India though predominantly is a diesel driven market, and the GLA will come with a new 2.1-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. Badged the GLA200 CDi, the engine produces 136PS of peak power between 3400-4000rpm and 300Nm of peak torque between 1400-3000rpm. With a top speed of 205kmph and a claimed 0-100 time of 10-seconds, the diesel is only marginally slower than the sportier petrol. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be mated to Mercedes-Benz’s tried and tested 7G-DCT automatic transmission with a dual clutch setup. We expect the petrol GLA to also get paddle shifters on the steering wheel just like in the A-Class and B-Class.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA features a McPherson front axle and a independent multilink rear suspension. Combined with the large wheels and tyres, the GLA will be quite a treat to drive, especially on broken and uneven roads that we have in India. While Mercedes-Benz vehicles in recent times have been known to have a bit of a choppy ride, the GLA might be slightly different. We expect Mercedes-Benz to offer a slightly softer suspension setup for India considering how ride comfort is of prime importance in the compact SUV segment.

The Mercedes-GLA gets electro-mechanical power steering offering the best of both a conventional mechanical or hydraulic steering setup and the new age electronic power steering systems. Considering the fact that the GLA will be offered only in front wheel drive at the time of launch and the fact that both the A-Class and B-Class handle really well, the GLA should be no different. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will get disc brakes all round with tech like ABS, EBD and traction control as standard equipment.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is not only the most important car Mercedes-Benz will launch this year, we believe it will be the most important car Mercedes-Benz will launch for a while. With the new C-Class on its way too, the only thing Mercedes-Benz will really have to be worried about is the GLA cannibalising traditional sedan customers with the lure and aura of a multipurpose platform like a compact SUV. The GLA should be priced between Rs 25-35 lakh and should be launched in India by the end of the year. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will also eventually receive an all-wheel-drive or 4Matic version and the exciting GLA45 AMG sometime next year.