Pros

• The GLA 250 has a smooth ride and nice seats.
• It has one of the best and most cutting-edge entertainment systems on the market right now.
• A fair price for a Mercedes logo.

Cons

• The GLA’s high-tech safety features are mostly available.
• For an expensive SUV, the noise from the road is way too loud.
• When compared to the Mercedes GLB, the cargo space is a little small.

In what way does a GLA-Class motor work? The GLA 250, which is the model we tried, should be fine for most drivers. The car has enough power for its size, and it’s easy to speed up. The time it took our front-wheel-drive test car to go from 0 to 60 mph was about average for an extra-small luxury SUV.

The engine and transmission usually run smoothly, but when the engine starts up by itself, there is some shaking. It might take a moment for the transmission to engage when you press the gas pedal for a short time.

Along bends, the GLA stays stable and safe. Instead, the GLA 250 took 138 feet to stop from 60 mph in our panic-braking test, which wasn’t as good. For some of the full-size cars we looked at, that is farther than they could stop. We don’t think the brakes failed; we think the economy tires’ lack of grip is to blame. We did notice, though, that the brakes were very smooth when we were going normally.

Does the GLA-Class have good seats? When the GLA is close to its base, it offers a good amount of comfort. On hot days, the MB-Tex synthetic leather lets air flow through it well, and the seats are supportive and comfortable enough for long trips. Front seats that can be adjusted in a lot of different ways and have leg supports that can be stretched out should work for both tall and short drivers. There are seats with multiple contours that can be heated and cooled.

There aren’t any rough spots on the road, and the ride quality is also acceptable. Some small jolts may happen because of bumps in the road, but the suspension does a good job of balancing comfort with handling. There is a downside in that traffic noise can be heard and can be annoying on rough roads. When you speed up quickly, the engine sounds strained, but it’s otherwise well hidden.

How is the state of the inside? It’s easy to get in and out of the GLA because the doors are the right size, and the ride height is just right. You can put the Driver’s seat in a lot of different positions, so you can choose between being upright or more relaxed without losing ease.

The main settings are easy to read and well-arranged. The screen for the entertainment system is easy to get used to and lets you handle many of the other features. Even though the GLA looks sleek, the inside is pleasantly roomy and bright. Also, there is a lot of room in the back for adults. It’s safer and easier to park when you can see from the front, sides, and back.

What is there to do with technology? People really like the GLA’s entertainment system, which works with smartphones and has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The MBUX system that Mercedes offers is among the most user-friendly. It has a touchscreen, a trackpad, and thumb controls on the steering wheel, among other ways to enter information. Voice orders work, even if they are hard to understand at first.

Sadly, the GLA doesn’t have a number of standard, high-tech safety features. If you don’t choose one of the more expensive option packages, the only features you can get are a blind-spot alert and front accident mitigation. It’s no longer a surprise to see a Kia or Toyota with a full set of driving aids.

How is the storage situation right now? Behind the back seats, you can only store 15.4 cubic feet of stuff, which is more than enough for a medium sedan. While the trunk is roomy, it’s smaller than the trunks of some major competitors’ SUVs. It’s easy to load big things because the liftover is low.

Inside, your goods can be kept in different-sized compartments and bins. The cupholders have clever spring-loaded tabs that keep small drinks or personal items safe. A rubberized tray on the bottom of it holds your phone firmly and lets you charge it wirelessly. Do you have little kids? Putting in an infant seat that faces backward should keep the room for front passengers the same. It’s also easy to get to the car seat pin and tether points.

How well does the fuel work? The front-wheel-drive GLA 250 will get 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city, according to the EPA. The fact that we got 31.2 mpg on our 115-mile study route, which included a lot of highway traffic, shows that the EPA’s estimates are correct. When compared to cars like the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, the GLA 250 uses a little less gas in total.

Should you buy the GLA-Class? The GLA starts at a fair price, but it lacks a number of features that you will need. Your GLA should be less than $40,000 if you spend smart. The inside of the GLA is made of harder plastic, but it is still built with the same high standards as any Mercedes-Benz. The pieces are put in places where we would usually touch them and have authentic grains, which is a good thing. When compared to the first GLA, it is clearly better.

Standard guarantees cover the powertrain and the whole car for four years or 50,000 miles. Even though roadside assistance is free for four years or 50,000 miles, Mercedes does not offer free repair like some other car companies do.

In terms of how it looks and how it drives, the GLA and Mercedes’ bigger GLC SUV are very identical. The GLA is a great choice if you don’t need the extra room or seats in the GLB or GLC. It also has a lot of style and technology for the price. It could be a more interesting car to drive, but it does a great job of meeting its comfort and refinement needs.

The GLA 250 is the best choice unless you need more than 300 horsepower. One of the best things about the GLA is how cheap it is. The base model has a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes enough speed. It comes with four USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto that works wirelessly, and an easy-to-use 10.25-inch tablet that runs the MBUX entertainment system. If you want advanced driving aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping help, we suggest getting the Driver Help package. Choose 4Matic all-wheel drive if you live in a colder area.

Models of Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

In 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is available in two trim levels: GLA 250 and AMG GLA 35. It is a small crossover SUV. The AMG comes with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive technology as standard, but you can choose not to have it on the GLA 250.