Mercedes GLA
A much more focused effort from Mercedes this time, majoring on comfort, performance and refinement
MODEL TESTED: Mercedes GLA 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus
PRICE: £43,260 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp
THE second-generation GLA has arrived sporting a new look, engines and tech. Here we test the £43, 260 GLA 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus model, which is pricier than the Volvo.
Design & engineering
IT ’S easy to see how much this Mk2
GLA has matured into a fully-fledged
SUV; it’s 10cm taller than its predecessor, and Mercedes claims there’s even more room inside, despite it being 1.5cm shorter.
That transformation has been made possible thanks to the car’s MFA2 platform, the second generation of Mercedes’ Modular Front-wheel-drive Architecture. However, here the GLA uses Mercedes’ 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, which features a new electro-mechanically operated clutch. Most of the time the torque split is 80:20 front to rear, but it can be balanced 50:50 if you’re off-roading.
Both cars feature MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a multi-link rear set-up necessary for their four-wheel-drive layouts.
There are more similarities when it comes to power and torque. The GLA uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 187bhp and 400Nm of torque – the same as the Volvo.
While the GLA has evolved an incredible amount mechanically, there’s a similar new-found digital focus inside. A lot of the tech is carried over from the A-Class hatch, and in AMG Line Premium Plus trim you get two 10. 25-inch displays with augmentedreality sat-nav. The Volvo’s tech is good, but the Merc feels like it’s a generation newer.
Both cars offer an acceptable level of quality. The Mercedes’ design is cleaner and simpler than the Volvo’s, but both integrate their tech nicely and the plastics that cover the dash are good. Real metal finishings help the premium feel, but there’s no denying that, at £3,810 more than the Volvo in these trim levels, the Merc is slightly higher quality, but not by that much. The extra cost is due to the Premium Plus pack – see our Through the Range panel (p71) for a kit rundown.
Driving
COMFORT and refinement are two of the GLA’s strongest characteristics. The extra ride height and suspension travel compared with the A-Class has really helped this platform feel more fluid and forgiving. The suspension absorbs bumps well, whereas the Volvo, on its larger, 21-inch alloy wheels, feels lumpier on similarly broken road surfaces. Combined with the engine, it means the Mercedes is more refined.
While both models make the same power and torque, the Mercedes produces its maximum torque from just 1,600rpm, so it pulls strongly. Diesel is good when the tech is implemented like this.
The smooth surge is sustained into the mid-range, but the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission doesn’t need to see that many revs before it changes up. The engine drones less than the Volvo’s anyway, but as a result the GLA is the quieter, more relaxing car when accelerating up through the gears.
There’s plenty of grip, the steering is a good weight – heavier than the Volvo’s – but the GLA isn’t
exactly what you’d call engaging. However, compact SUVs should be more about comfort and, at this level of the market, refinement. The GLA is sound here.
In every way it has the edge over the Volvo dynamically. It’s quicker, covering the 0-62mph sprint in 7.3 seconds, which is six-tenths faster than its Swedish rival. But both cars are quick enough.
Practicality
THE GLA’s coming of age is reflected in its practicality. There a 485-litre boot on offer behind its standard powered tailgate, which beats the Volvo’s boot by 25 litres. In reality, both SUVs offer enough volume to just about squeeze in all the luggage for a family of four.
Rear seat room isn’t quite as generous. The GLA has grown into a fully-fledged small SUV, but because the roofline is lower than the Volvo’s, there’s not as much headroom. Additionally, kids might scuff the front seatbacks in a child seat, while legroom for adults is okay, but at least you can tuck your feet under the front seats.
We know how functional the XC40’s interior is and, thankfully, the GLA’s clean look and sharp, straight-lined interior design hasn’t adversely affected storage. There’s a tray with wireless charging in front of the gear lever, two cup-holders and a big central bin behind with USB ports.
Ownership
SAFETY kit is critical in this class, and in Premium Plus trim the GLA features
AEB, collision warning, lane-keep assist, matrix LED lights and seven airbags as standard. While you have to upgrade to the £1,495 Driver Assistance package for blind-spot assist, it also adds cross-traffic alert and active safety systems to keep you in your lane or swerve to avoid an obstacle.
One element that might not be so great about the ownership experience is Mercedes’ service. We routinely see premium German brands finish lower down the order in our Driver Power satisfaction survey, and Mercedes’ 28th place out of 30 isn’t a great result. Owners criticised running costs particularly, with the brand ranking 29th in this area of the study. Volvo performed better, taking 10th place overall.
Running costs
HOWEVER, on fuel economy, the GLA showed a respectable result of 45.5mpg, compared with 43.5mpg for the Volvo. It means you’ll spend £65 less per year at the pumps.
Otherwise, the GLA’s running costs will match its premium price tag, because servicing is £30 per month over three years (£1,080 in total, but only £125 more than the Volvo over this period).
Insurance comes in at £554 and £529 for our sample driver on the GLA and XC40 respectively.