Mercedes-Benz GLA: What a looker
Mercedes-Benz couldn’t let the BMW X1 or Audi Q3 go without a rival any longer and so introduced the GLA. It is considered a compact SUV but in all fairness it is more of a crossover. An A Class crossover. But my oh my is it good looking!
I recently attended the local launch of the GLA along the picturesque Garden Route and it could not have been a better setting for the occasion. This car with that background…a match made in heaven. It really is striking. I have LOVED the A Class since I first saw it in the flesh at the Johannesburg International Motor Show back in 2011 and the GLA is merely a bigger, more brutish version of it so I was destined to be very attracted to the GLA. And I am!
It has a slightly higher ground clearance than the A Class and SUV imitation styling. It was a lot smaller in real life than what I was expecting but no less attractive. I was also surprised by the ride height, I thought it would be higher. We experienced a few issues while off-roading but it is obvious that the 4X4 ability would be limited so stick to gravel roads and you will have no problem at all. In fact, this car didn’t put a foot wrong on the gravel roads we traversed.
It’s comfortable too! The cabin is familiar and comes with a number of features. Many optional. And here is a word of caution, if you are going to start ticking those option boxes just keep an eye on your spending. Before you know it you would have added an extra R100 000 to the price tag. There will be five engine options, but only the two diesel derivatives are available now. We will see the petrol engines here in September and the GLA45 AMG in October. The 220 CDI, which is the model I drove, costs R489 00o, but the entry level, when it arrives, will cost you R398 800.
The CDI comes standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive system which means you will be able to do a bit more soft off-roading than you could in the models without it. Basically the system spins the front wheels most of the time but if traction changes it will send power to the rear if needed.
This car is refined, economical (the CDI 200 has a claimed fuel consumption of 4,3 L/100km) and practical. It is great as a city car, a road tripping car as well as for the times you may have to go off the beaten track a bit. I imagine there will be a few A Class owners wishing they had held out for this car.