GLA-D OF FUN
The new Mercedes SUV is a joy to drive
ANOTHER day, another new SUV. The MercedesBenz GLA is the latest addition to the German giant’s fleet, going up against premium segment rivals such as the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Lexus UX, Audi Q3, and so on. The first question that must be asked, therefore, is a simple one — is it better than any of them?
The simple answer, as always, is yes and no. Let’s start with the positives. Though it is not present i n the entry- l evel model, the awesome MBUX system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) is standard on the AMG Line trim I drove, and it remains the best in i ts segment, a sweeping, expansive widescreen panorama that is incredibly intuitive and responsive.
BMW in particular really is lagging when it comes to infotainment, offering much smaller screens, and that still surprises given how important connectivity and display have become in the minds of buyers. Audi is a decent rival in this regard, while the most recent Lexus models I’ve driven also have stuck with dashmounted screens, rather than i ntegrated ones, that f or my money take away from the cabin’s visual appeal, no matter how elegant the actual display.
So chalk one up there for the GLA. Add a second for driving feel, because this is a lively and nimble car with handling that belies its chunky looks and the 19inch alloy wheels. The weight feels very evenly distributed between front and rear, and in corners you would be very hard pressed to detect even a hint of body roll.
This is commendable, because not only is the GLA a tall car, the driver position feels higher than in some rivals. That added visibility often can lead to a reduction in on-road solidity, but this car feels just as planted as many a saloon or hatchback, and that’s a very decent engineering achievement. It’s not often you’ll see me use the words ‘SUV’ and ‘fun’ in the same sentence, but this actually is a lot of fun to drive on back roads.
In all road conditions, the twinclutch eight- speed automatic transmission for the 2.0-litre diesel is flawless, shifting with ease to every demand. You want a little more kick in the acceleration? Go for it, because there’s no lag whatsoever, and therefore none of those occasional heart-stopping moments in other cars before the thrust increases with a whoosh.
So, all good so far, and on a par with, if not better than, any of the rivals mentioned. Which brings us to looks. Visual appeal literally is in the eye of the beholder, so this is a personal thing, and here I think Mercedes missed a beat.
There’s something just a little too SUV generic about the styling, and while the grille on any Merc always is a standout, the picture gets a little less pretty as you move towards the back. There is a slight nod to coupé styling, but not quite enough. Mercedes-Benz didn’t make its fortune by scaring the horses, but I still would lie to see them take bigger ri sks, especially since their avowed aim is to lower the average age of buyers.
In particular, the glasshouse looks like it happily could be inserted in any mass market SUV and, for my money, the A-pillars are too chunky (and on tight corners slightly impede the driver’s view). Nor was I wild about the fairly sullen Cosmos Black Metallic paint job, because this is a car that benefits greatly from a finish in the lighter colours on the palette.
Like I say, though, this is all down to personal taste. One man’s idea of conservative is another’s idea of bling, so that much is down to you.
What is incontrovertible, though, is that the cabin detailing is excellent. I really liked the grey and black Artico leather upholstery, the heat-insulating tinted glass, and the ambient lighting, the latter a Mercedes strength for years now. My car came with all the safety systems you’d expect, and AMG detailing (chrome-plated waistline, stainless steel sports pedals with black rubber studs, floor mats, lather multifunction sports steering wheel, diamond radiator grille with chrome pins, front apron and splitter in chrome, and so on) for an added €3,079.
At roughly 4.8 litres per 100km, the fuel economy is good, and emissions of 121g see it placed in Band B1 for annual motor tax of €270. Standard cargo space of 435 litres is average, but expandable to 1,430 litres with the rear seats folded. All in all, I liked the GLA, because i t’s driver’s car in a segment that often feels bland. If you’re looking in that area, it’s well worth a test drive.