Mercedes GLA SUV, starting at 38800 £

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

The Mercedes GLA SUV impresses with 421 HP 74 km and an attractive starting price of 38800 £ . Here are all the details at a glance.

from about £38,800
GLA

Mercedes GLA

  • Engine Type : Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 421 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.9 - 9.5 L
  • Electric Range : 74 km

Looks That Outsmart the Neighbours

The GLA wears Mercedes styling with compact confidence — a bluff front end, taut shoulders and SUV ride height that still reads city-friendly rather than truckish. At roughly 4.43 metres long it feels smaller than many crossovers on the road, which helps in tight parking and urban lanes. Design choices from sporty AMG trims to polished urban versions give buyers a clear visual ladder without losing a coherent family look. The current lineup spans economical mild-hybrids and diesels to a plug-in hybrid and high-performance AMG versions, so appearance can be modest or deliberately showy depending on specification.

Cabin: Quiet Luxury, Not Fussy

Inside, the GLA offers the familiar Mercedes mix of digital displays, soft-touch surfaces and clean lines that mask a surprisingly practical layout. Front seats are supportive for longer trips and the Mercedes infotainment interface is responsive, with voice control and smartphone integration on offer as standard or optional extras. Materials and fit are competitive for the class, though heavily optioned cars push the cabin into near-premium territory — expect extra dollars for leather, larger screens and upgraded trims. Visibility is decent for the segment, and small details such as door bins and covered storage feel thoughtfully executed.

Fit for Real Life

The GLA seats five and manages family duties without fuss: rear legroom has improved over the previous generation but still suits teenagers rather than full-sized adults on long trips. Boot volume ranges from around 385–435 litres depending on configuration, expanding to well over a thousand litres with the seats folded flat for weekend luggage or DIY store runs. Payload and clever stowage mean everyday errands, prams and groceries are handled with ease, while optional roof rails add practical carrying capacity for bikes or boxes. In short, the GLA is compact outside but reasonably useful inside for a small household or couple with active weekends.

On the Road: Daily Driver or Weekend Playmate?

Driving balance sits between comfort and composure; the suspension soaks bumps well while steering is light and predictable for urban manoeuvres without feeling vague on sweeping B-roads. Powertrain choices are broad — mild-hybrid petrols and diesels cover the sensible middle ground with outputs from roughly 150–238 hp, while the plug-in and AMG variants push performance into sporty territory with accelerations ranging from around 11 s down to under 4.5 s in the fastest models. Heavier curb weights around 1.66–1.81 tonnes blunt outright agility compared with smaller hatchbacks, but the GLA rewards with a composed, confidence-inspiring ride that suits mixed daily use. All-wheel drive is available on several engines for better traction in wet weather or light snow, while lower-spec front-wheel drive models keep costs and consumption down.

How Far and How Thirsty?

The plug-in hybrid GLA 250 e combines roughly 218 hp with a 12.9 kWh battery and an electric WLTP range around 74 km, which covers many daily commutes on electric power if recharged regularly. MHEV petrols claim around 6.5 L/100 km in combined figures while diesels can be closer to 5.4–5.7 L/100 km, but real-world motorway driving typically nudges those numbers up. For the PHEV, frequent charging is key to achieving the low consumption figures; without it the hybrid system still helps but returns become similar to a heavy petrol. Buyers should expect modest fuel bills in town with the PHEV and competitive long-distance economy from the diesels if cruising at steady speeds.

Smart Assistant, Not a Mind-Reader

Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment is central to the experience, with crisp graphics, voice activation and a configurable digital driver display that make daily use straightforward and modern-feeling. Advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise, lane keep assist and semi-autonomous features are available and generally helpful, though some convenience functions like parking assist or augmented navigation often appear as options in higher trims. Software updates and connected services extend functionality over time, but full capability depends on chosen packages so check the spec sheet before buying. The net result is an interface that’s powerful and well-integrated, once the initial menu-finding is out of the way.

Who Should Bother Buying One?

The GLA suits buyers wanting a premium compact SUV with strong tech, comfortable daily manners and enough variety in the range to match different priorities — from fuel efficiency to outright performance. Urban commuters and small families will appreciate the size, decent boot and low-speed comfort, while those seeking thrills can move up to AMG models that deliver genuine sports-sedan pace. Cost-sensitive buyers should consider the mild-hybrid and diesel options for long-term running costs, and privacy-conscious commuters who can charge daily will find the plug-in hybrid particularly economical. Overall, the GLA is a rounded choice for buyers who want Mercedes polish without stepping up to a larger, more expensive SUV.

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Reviews

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

Costs and Consumption
Price
38800 - 75300 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Battery Capacity
12.90 kWh
co2
66 - 216 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1570 - 1810 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Length
4412 - 4443 mm
Width
1834 - 1849 mm
Height
1590 - 1616 mm
Max trunk capacity
1385 - 1430 L
Payload
480 - 500 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Max Speed
190 - 270 km/h
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
1332 - 1991 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz

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What drivetrain options does the Mercedes GLA have?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.