New Mercedes-Benz GLA grows in size and price

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has detailed the local pricing and specification levels of its new GLA compact SUV, with the entry price rising a hefty $9500 to $55,100 plus on-road costs.

Set to arrive on Aussie soil next month, the new GLA is 122mm taller than its predecessor and 30mm wider, offering more cabin space than before despite being 14mm shorter in overall length with the range now kicking off with the GLA200 as opposed to the outgoing GLA180.

The hefty price increase however, along with the new GLA200 entry-level offering, does bring with it an increase in standard safety kit, more power and more off-road ability for the 4Matic versions courtesy of the Road Engineering Package (extra driving mode, hill descent control, off-road animation on the media display, multi-beam LED headlights).

Across the new four-variant range, only the GLA200 will be offered with two-wheel-drive but all variants score Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Package which includes autonomous emergency braking, turning manoeuvre function, emergency corridor function and exit warning function which can detect pedestrians, cyclists and stopped vehicles.

Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, Active Bonnet, cross wind assist, Pre-Safe accident anticipatory systems and active speed limit assistance are also featured as standard.

Power and torque in the GLA200 is rated at 120kW and 250Nm, courtesy of a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with drive being sent exclusively to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Fuel economy is rated at between 5.6 and 5.9 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

Standard kit on the most affordable GLA includes ARTICO upholstered Comfort seats, automatic climate control, MBUX multimedia system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio, wireless phone charging, reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, Keyless-Go Comfort Package, powered tailgate, 64-colour ambient lighting, Dynamic Select driving modes, park assist, high beam assist, LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels.

$11,400 upstream of the GLA 200 is the $66,500 GLA250 4Matic which ditches the former’s 1.3-litre engine in favour of a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo mill good for 165kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Compared to the outgoing model, the GLA250’s asking price has risen $3500, as has its peak power figure, up from 155kW.

As before, drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In terms of features, the GLA250 4Matic comes with all of the same standard kit as the GLA200 but adds a few extra niceties including a panoramic electric sunroof, heated electric front seats with memory function, lower ride height, sports-direct steering, Off-Road Engineering Package, remote engine-start via the Mercedes me Connect app and five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

New to the GLA range is the addition of the semi-skim performance AMG GLA35 4Matic variant, entering the range with an $82,935 sticker price.

Just like its A-Class and CLA35 cousins, the GLA35 4Matic is powered by a more powerful version of the GLA250’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine which in this guise, churns out 225kW/400Nm, resulting in a 5.1-second dash from 0-100km/h.

Compared to the GLA250 below it, the GLA35 brandishes a more menacing AMG body kit to match its enhanced performance, AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG ride control sports suspension, AMG high-performance brakes, AMG exhaust, AMG speed-sensitive steering, the AMG Night Package, Lugano leather Comfort Sport seats and unique 20-inch AMG alloys.

Sitting atop the refreshed GLA tree is the rabid GLA45 S 4Matic+, which as the name suggests, pinches the ballistic 310kW/500Nm M138 turbocharged four-banger from the A45 S and CLA45 S.

Compared to the outgoing GLA45, the new model marks a price hike of $14,935 ($92,100 vs $107,035) as well as a 30kW gain in peak power and 25Nm rise in maximum torque.

Befitting of a range-topping performance variant, AMG has thrown all of its usual tricks and equipment at the GLA45 including launch control, AMG Driver’s Package (top speed increased to 265km/h), AMG Track Pace, even more aggressive styling, six-piston front and single piston rear brake callipers clamping uprated discs, AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, stiffer body, speed-sensitive electromechanical steering with AMG-specific front steering knuckles and rear axle subframe.

Things have also been greatly stepped up in regards to creature comforts, with the hi-po flagship scoring a Dinamica microfibre AMG Performance steering wheel, leather upholstery, Burmester surround sound system, Driving Assistance Package Plus, Active Distance Assist with front cross-traffic assist, Lane Change Assist, route-based speed adaptation and Parking Package with 360-degree camera.

While the AMGs undoubtedly rule the roost in terms of performance, the GLA200 and GLA250 can claw back some ground in terms of exclusivity with the limited Edition 1 package.

In basic terms, the Edition 1 pack blurs the line between the mainstream duo and the high-performance models in terms of visual flare and standard equipment.

Visually, the Edition 1 pack adds AMG aprons front and rear as well as AMG side sill panels, chrome and black highlights including window tint, Multibeam LED headlights, Edition 1 badging and black 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels with red flanges.

Inside it adds electric heated Comfort Sports seats with memory function, black/red cut Artice/Dinamica microfibre upholstery, black interior with contrasting red top-stitching, panoramic sunroof, Carbon Structure trim with Edition lettering, Parking Package and black and red AMG floor mats with Edition letting.

The whole package then rides on lowered comfort suspension.

While the GLA200 and GLA250 hit showrooms as of August, those wanting either of the AMGs will have to wait until the fourth quarter of the year.

According to Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG member of the board of management Britta Seeger, the launch of the new GLA marks the end of a complete renewal of the brand’s compact portfolio.

“The high demand for our SUVs shows that we can offer the right model for all of our customers in this segment,” she said.

“To meet their wishes, the range includes the GLB and GLA, two off-roaders that ideally complement each other: the GLB is the most functional and most spacious representative of our compact-class family, while the new GLA is positioned as its sporty brother and as a lifestyle-oriented SUV.”

Through the first half of 2020, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific shifted 1296 GLAs, occupying a 14.5 per cent slice of the $40,000+ compact SUV segment.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs