Mercedes GLA 200 CDI - off-road A-class
The latest A-Class has been well received by the market. Mercedes decided to continue hitting. He increased the ground clearance, restyled the body, prepared an off-road package and offered the GLA model to buyers. The car attracts a lot of attention on the streets.
Nothing unusual. Mercedes' latest SUV stands out. Visually, it is far from the typical representatives of the segment - massive, angular and tall. The A-Class-inspired exterior lines look light and modern. Due to the more pronounced fenders that mimic the metal skid plates protruding from under the bumpers, unpainted plastic in the lower part of the body and low-key roof rails, many people like the GLA more than the Mercedes A-class.
The compact silhouette of the car also makes a positive impression. The body of the GLA is 4,4 m long, 1,8 m wide and just 1,5 m high. Like a compact station wagon. Competing with the GLA, the Audi Q3 is more than 10 cm taller with almost the same body length and width.
The Mercedes GLA shares a floor slab with the well-established new generation A-Class and the eye-catching CLA. Common engine versions, including the flagship 45 AMG, are not surprising. We also find analogies when reading catalogs of equipment, security systems and chassis options. All compact Mercedes can be ordered, including a sports suspension or steering with a direct gear ratio.
The GLA designers have not forgotten about the solutions that emphasize the character of the model. Optional off-road suspension makes it easier to drive on damaged or unpaved roads. The off-road mode activates the downhill speed control system and also adjusts the ESP, 4Matic transmission and off-road transmission strategies. Animation appears on the center monitor showing the angle of rotation of the wheels and the degree of inclination of the car. An identical solution will be found, including on the Mercedes ML. Interesting gadget. However, we doubt that a user of a statistical model will ever benefit from a field program.
Crossovers and SUVs are famous for their spacious interiors. At the front of the GLA, the amount of space is quite reasonable, unless we decide to order a panoramic roof that takes up a few centimeters of headroom. A wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments makes it easy to find the optimal position. The driver of the GLA sits a few centimeters higher than the Class A user. This increases the feeling of safety and makes it easier to see the situation in front of the hood. On the other hand, bumps that cut through the hood are useful when maneuvering - they make it easier to feel the size of the car. Parking in reverse is more problematic. Massive rear pillars and a small window in the tailgate effectively narrow the field of view. It is worth trying to invest in a rearview camera.
In the second row, the most disappointing thing is the amount of legroom. Claustrophobic people will not like the small and tinted side windows. The sloping roofline requires some exercise in getting in and out. Inattentive people can hit their heads on the headliner. The trunk has the correct form. 421 liters and 1235 liters after folding the back of the asymmetrically divided sofa are worthy results. In addition to a large loading opening and a low trunk threshold, we do not always find such solutions in cars with a well-folded body.
Mercedes are famous for good finishing materials and high assembly precision. GLA keeps the level. The materials at the bottom of the cab are tough but look good with the right color and texture. Each buyer can customize the appearance of the cabin to suit their preferences. The extensive catalog includes several types of decorative panels made of aluminium, carbon fiber and wood.
The ergonomics of the cabin does not cause any complaints. The main switches are optimally positioned. It’s surprisingly easy to get used to the characteristic Mercedes lever on the steering wheel (gear selector, cruise control switch and turn signal lever integrated with the wiper switch). The multimedia system, like in other premium segment cars, is controlled by a multifunctional handle. The GLA didn't get key tab enable buttons, so getting from the audio menu to navigation or car settings takes slightly more presses than in Audi or BMW, where we find function keys.
Under the hood of the tested GLA 200 CDI was a 2,1-liter turbodiesel. 136 HP and 300 Nm can hardly be considered impressive results. We add that competitors with basic turbodiesels are no better. The two-liter BMW X1 16d offers 116 hp. and 260 Nm, and the base Audi Q3 2.0 TDI - 140 hp. and 320 Nm. The disadvantage of the Mercedes engine is the vibration that accompanies work until the operating temperature is reached, as well as significant noise. We will hear a diesel knock not only after starting, but also after each engine is screwed in above 3000 rpm. Another thing is that it makes no sense to drive the tachometer needle towards red. An untrained turbodiesel works best at low and medium speeds. The maximum torque of 300 Nm is available from 1400-3000 rpm. The skillful use of high torque is rewarded by low fuel consumption - in the combined cycle it is 6 l / 100 km.
The 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission is a little underwhelming when driving aggressively. It shifts gears quickly, but the jerks and moments of hesitation that come with trying to drive dynamically can be annoying. The gearbox is also slower than competitors.
It's a pity, because direct steering with a well-balanced power steering makes it a lot of fun to drive on winding roads. In fast corners, the body of the Mercedes rolls, but the phenomenon does not affect driving accuracy. The car keeps the selected direction and remains neutral for a long time. As soon as problems with traction are discovered, the 4Matic drive comes into play. Managing up to 50% of rear axle torque, it reduces understeer and prevents inefficient wheel spin. Even with dynamic driving on wet roads, the traction control and ESP practically do not work.
The GLA received a softer suspension than the A-Class, which improved driving comfort. Short cross-sectional inequalities are filtered to the least extent. Those who appreciate driving comfort should ditch the additional reinforced suspension and opt for 17-inch wheels. Bright 18" and 19" rims reduce shock damping.
The catalog of crossovers under the sign of a three-pointed star is opened by the GLA 200 version for PLN 114. The price does not seem excessively high - for the top-end Qashqai 500 dCi (1.6 hp) Tekna with all-wheel drive, you need to prepare 130 thousand. PLN, while the base BMW X118 sDrive1i (18 hp) with rear-wheel drive was estimated at 150 PLN.
The devil is in the details. The base GLA doesn't look very attractive on 15-inch wheels with hubcaps or halogen headlights. Ordering alloy wheels and bi-xenons increases the price of the GLA 200 to 123 PLN. And this is just a foretaste of the costs that people who intend to customize the car’s equipment to their own preferences will incur. The most expensive package available a year after the car's launch is Edition 1. Bi-xenon headlights, 19-inch wheels, aluminum interior trim, roof rails, tinted rear windows and black headliner were priced by Mercedes at PLN 26. Reaching the ceiling of 011 thousand. Therefore, PLN is not the slightest problem, and the most demanding customers will see an amount on the bill starting with the number 150. We remind you that we are talking about a crossover with hp. with front wheel drive!
Due to its power, diesel attracts a higher excise duty rate, which is reflected in its price. The 136-horsepower GLA 200 CDI starts at 145 thousand. zloty Those interested in the GLA 200 CDI version with all-wheel drive and 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission must pay an additional 10 PLN. zloty This is a really reasonable proposal. For the automatic transmission and xDrive for the X1, BMW calculates 19 220. zł. The more powerful GLA 7 CDI version comes with 4G-DCT as standard. For the Matic drive you need to pay extra zlotys.
Mercedes GLA goes its own way. This is not a typical representative of the crossover and SUV segment. It is closer to a compact station wagon, which makes the BMW X1 the model's main competitor. The Audi Q3 has a slightly different character. Increased ground clearance and the possibility of ordering all-wheel drive will be appreciated by all who travel in more difficult conditions. In turn, the front-wheel drive GLA is a very interesting alternative to the A-class - it absorbs bumps better, has a more spacious interior and a larger trunk.
