The Mercedes-AMG GLA35 is the smallest SUV in the Mercedes family. Honestly, it’s really what most of us would call a hatchback car, but in the modern era it’s more fashionable to call it a crossover SUV. However, by any name the GLA is among the most delightful vehicles that Mercedes-Benz offers.
The basic engine for the AMG GLA is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 302 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to a twin clutch eight-speed automatic to produce exhilarating performance.
The AMG GLA comes with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, and that system is nearly magical on snow and ice, which we had in quantity during our week with the car. If we had been on dry pavement, the car would have accelerated from 0-60 in just 5.1 seconds. If that’s not enough giddy-up, you can upgrade to the AMG GLA45 and engine power bumps up to 382
horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds.
Inside, the GLA seats four adults comfortably. You can theoretically put three people in the back seat, but it would be pretty crowded. Any Mercedes comes with a nice interior, but the AMG version sports everything up with racing-inspired seats upholstered in Nappa leather and Dinamica microsuede, and a suede-wrapped steering wheel. AMG also upgrades the suspension and brakes to make the GLA35 a serious hot rod.
Mercedes-Benz is leading the industry in advanced technology right now. The GLA comes with several screens, but they’re all integrated into one big glass dash panel. The Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) package supports gesture control and voice commands, including Internet access by saying “Hey Mercedes” and asking questions. The MBUX navigation system also has a cool virtual reality feature where it displays a camera view of the road ahead, with floating tags to identify street names, destination addresses, and floating arrows showing you which way to turn.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a joy to drive on the open road, and even better in tight spaces. The bottom line: if your heart wants a sports car but your head keeps saying SUV, remember that good things come in small packages.
