From one extreme to the other in compact SUVs. On the same day we first drove Holden’s remarkable $23,000 Trax compact SUV and a day after first seeing Ford’s similarly-priced EcoSport compact SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLA – the German marque’s first compact SUV - has broken cover ahead of its debut next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, its expected to land in Australia priced from $45,000.
A bit larger than Trax or EcoSport at 4417mm in length (around the same as the Audi Q3), the GLA is the first Mercedes-Benz to offer the new generation 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution.
On the styling front, there’s a lot of curves going on with the Mercedes-Benz GLA – from the muscular haunches to the tailgate. There’s a rising beltline from the rear door to the C-pillar, ‘Powerdome’ bonnet, diamond-pattern grille and contrasting grey protective cladding at the lower extremes.
Roof and side spoilers plus aerodynamic tail-lights are part of an advanced aero package which sees the Mercedes-Benz GLA return a drag Cd of just 0.29 – mighty impressive for an SUV.
Inside the Mercedes-Benz GLA adopts a horizontal layout with silver-shadow galvanized highlights. The two-tier dashboard uses matt a glossy 3D geometric graining and further highlights can be selected from either wood or aluminium.
Five round air-vents follow the lead of the all-new A-Class. Interestingly you can choose the optional ‘Load Compartment’ package which allows the rear of the back-seat to be placed in the ‘cargo position’ which facilitates an extra 60-litres of luggage space.
Again, the GLA follows the latest Mercedes-Benz theme, coming to market in ‘Style’, ‘Urban’, ‘AMG’ and ‘Exclusive’ grades.
Under the bonnet, the GLA 200 gets the 115kW 1.6-litre petrol engine while the GLA 250 uses the 155kW 2.0-litre petrol powerplant.
On the diesel front, the GLA is being launched with the GLA 200 CDI (100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre) and GLA 220 CDI (125kw/350Nm 2.2-litre).
And, as usual, the GLA will arrive boasting all of the hallmark Mercedes-Benz safety and technology. File this one under ‘C’ for ‘Can’t Wait’.
