Home

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC review

Headshot of Sam Jeremic
Sam JeremicThe West Australian
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Camera IconMercedes-Benz GLA 250 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The previous iteration of the Mercedes-Benz GLA was a bit of an odd duck.

Although many small SUVs are merely light hatches with a slightly higher seating position, the GLA blurred the lines between the two like no other competitor; in the metal, it really wasn’t high-riding at all, even by small SUV standards.

Not that it mattered much. The GLA has been one of the bestselling premium small SUVs in Australia since it arrived on our shores in 2014 but Mercedes has still given it a thorough refresh to make it look a bit more SUV-like.

It’s now 1616mm tall — a hefty 122mm more than its predecessor — allowing it to offer the higher seating position and headroom expected of an SUV.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

From the front, it’s far less claustrophobic than before.

The interior has Merc’s twin 10.25-inch displays sitting side by side.
Camera IconThe interior has Merc’s twin 10.25-inch displays sitting side by side. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Despite being taller, the new GLA is 14mm shorter in length — but rear legroom has still been improved.

At 185cm, I could sit behind my own driving position easily, though foot room was tight.

The body changes have seen the boot gain 14 litres of space, but the 435 litres on offer is behind rivals such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X2.

However, Mercedes now offers the GLB to handle more practical SUV duties, leaving the GLA as a more style and performance focused option.

And it largely succeeds.

Short front and rear overhangs add a sporty character, as do eye-catching 19-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels.

We had the mid-spec GLA 250 trim, which has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offering 165kW and 350Nm.

It proved a quality unit on a road trip to Dunsborough, where it offered brisk response when overtaking and a frugal enough 7.2L/100km fuel economy on the return leg.

The boot gains 14 litres of space.
Camera IconThe boot gains 14 litres of space. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The big wheels did bring some unwanted noise and shuddering into the cabin on the more coarse surfaces though.

It’s dynamically sound for its segment, with the all-wheel-drive and perky engine offering some fun on the twistier sections of Caves Road.

Somewhat confusingly, Benz has also included the Off-Road Engineering Package on every all-wheel-drive GLA variant, which adds an additional Off-Road driving program, downhill assist, off-road animation with incline angles in the media display, a special light function which widens the spread of the beam for better illumination when off-roading.

Nice to have, sure — but it seems unlikely owners would be taking their GLA too far off the beaten track and we suspect most would prefer a lower purchase price considering the GLA 250’s list price has risen by $3500.

Other GLA 250 features will likely be more appreciated though, such as the panoramic electric sunroof, heated electric front seats with memory function, lowered comfort suspension and sports-direct steering.

The interior benefits from Merc’s twin 10.25-inch displays sitting side by side, which are fairly intuitive to use despite the amount of features they control.

The GLA 250 is 122mm taller than its predecessor .
Camera IconThe GLA 250 is 122mm taller than its predecessor . Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Unfortunately, the brand has opted for a Lexus-style touch pad to control the infotainment system, but happily it can be ignored: drivers can use the steering wheel controls, while passengers can use the display as a touch screen.

The test car also had Mountain Grey metallic paint ($1146) and the Vision Package, which added adaptive high beam assist, Benz’s multi-beam LED headlamps and a 360-degree camera.

At $915, it’s probably worth it, though we felt a head-up display should probably be standard in a $66k vehicle — and adaptive cruise control definitely should.

Disappointingly, you’ll need to shell out $1990 for the Driving Assistance Package to get it, along with active lane change assist, extended semi-autonomous driver assistance in traffic jams and route-based speed adaptation.

Elsewhere, the safety gear is largely as expected, though there are some nice standard features such as an active bonnet to better protect pedestrians, cross-wind assist and blind-spot assist with exit-warning assistant, which alerts the driver to approaching cyclists or vehicles if the door begins to open into their path.

As with many safety systems, some we felt were overly intrusive on occasion.

VERDICT

Like an automotive Pinocchio, the GLA is now a real SUV. It’s still not the most practical, but with the GLB’s addition, it can now focus on performance and styling — which the GLA 250 does with aplomb. Not sure the off-road gear will get much of a look-in, mind.

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4MATIC SPECIFICATIONS

  • Price $66,500 (as tested $68,561)
  • Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
  • Outputs 165kW/350Nm
  • Transmission Eight-speed automatic, AWD
  • Fuel economy 7.5L/100km

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails