Mercedes Benz adds a new Compact 2 Row SUV
Introducing the new 2021 Mercedes Benz GLA250 SUV You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: SUV’s, trucks and crossover are selling at a fantastic rate today. Since the take rate of this segment is now over 50% of all vehicles sold, every manufacturer has to have several models of SUVs to sell, just to stay in business. Mercedes now has 6 different SUV models to choose from. Leading the way is the 2021 GLA250 as their newest, and least expensive, compact SUV.
The MBZ SUV lineup starts with the GLA at $36,230, and goes up to the G-Class with a base price of $130,900. In between there are 4 more SUV and 2 crossover models with ascending price points along the way. The new for 2021 GLA250 has 4 different equipment levels, and prices to choose from, plus options.
Mercedes Benz is the King of Options, as every vehicle they sell can be ordered with thousands of dollars of options to add to, over and above the base model price. Mercedes lets you pick what you want to add to any of their cars, SUVs and crossovers. You can always add 40% to 50%, or more, in options in dollars, over and above the base window sticker price.
Case in Point: This week Mercedes Benz sent me a 2021 GLA250 4MATIC SUV to test drive and review. This AWD edition starts with a base price of $38,230. The list of 18 individual option packages came to a grand total of $16,305. As labeled the option list added 43% of the base price, to the overall price. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,050 destination charge came to: $55,585.
So, how did we get from $38 Grand to over $55 Grand? Let’s take a look at the list of options that are on this new for 2021 Mercedes GLA250 4MATIC SUV. We start with:
Titanium Grey and Black leather Interior - $1,450
Natural Grain Black Linden Wood Trim - $325
Multifunction Sports Leather Steering Wheel - $360
20” AMG Multi Spoke Black Alloy Wheels - $1,050
Panorama Tinted Glass Sunroof - $1,500
Active Suspension with Adjustable Damping - $990
SiriusXM Radio with Free Trial Period - $460
Burmester Surround Sound Audio System - $850
Heated Front Leather Seats - $500 64 Color Interior Ambient Lighting - $310
The Wireless Charging Pad - $200 A USB-C Adapter Cable - $25 Driver Assistance Active Brake Package - $1,700
Exterior LED Lighting Package - $900
Multimedia Package with Navigation - $1,295
Night Time High Gloss Black Out Trim Package - $400
AMG Body Lines, Grill, Lettering, Styling Package - $2,240
Premium Power Package with a 10.25” Center Display Screen - $1,750
The total of these 18 option packages came to: $16,305. Add in the base price of $38,230 plus the $1,050 delivery charge, and the total window sticker price is: $55,585.
In the Mercedes Benz SUV lineup there are now a total of 6 models with 22 base trim and equipment levels to start from. Along the way you can add thousands of dollars worth of high tech, comfort, power, convenience and appearance groups, to make your MBZ stand out in the crowd. This flexibility allows Mercedes to stay at the top of the class in SUV’s. Starting with the new 2021 compact GLA250 2 row SUV with a base price of $36,230, Mercedes now has an SUV in everybody’s price range.
To make this new SUV fast and fun to drive it comes with a quick and peppy 2.0L liter 4 cylinder Turbo engine with 221 HP horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The 4MATIC driveline is full time all wheel drive, with start and stop technology, to save on gas and produce lower emissions.
Gas mileage is 24 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, with an average fuel economy rating of 27 MPG in combined driving. The Greenhouse Gas Rating is a 6, out of 10, and the Smog Rating is a 5, out of 10. These numbers are all right on target for a compact 2 row SUV powered by a 4 cylinder Turbo engine with AWD all wheel drive.
Safety, comfort, performance and luxury are the main components of all Mercedes Benz cars, crossovers and SUVs. The interior appointments from the leather seating, the real wood trim, to the power accessories and technology, all point to classic Mercedes Benz elegance and style.
If you’re looking for a compact 2 row SUV you owe it to yourself to call, click or visit your local Mercedes Benz dealer for a complete review of the new for 2021 GLA250 SUV. From $ 36,000 and up, there is a Mercedes Benz SUV model that will match, and exceed, all your expectations.
A word to the wise is sufficient. Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line Review is provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net.