Mercedes GLA SUV, starting at 38,800 £

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate

The Mercedes GLA is a compact luxury crossover that brings Mercedes-Benz's refined design and premium cabin materials into a practical, city-friendly package. It combines comfortable ride quality and intuitive tech with poised handling, making it a confident choice for everyday driving and longer journeys.

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from £38,800
GLA

Mercedes GLA

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, 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/100km
  • Electric Range 74 km

Calm Confidence, Compact Footprint

The Mercedes GLA wears its SUV stance lightly, with clean surfacing and just enough muscle to look purposeful in town or on the motorway. Standard trims lean elegant, while AMG Line adds sharper bumpers and larger wheels that look great but make the ride a touch firmer. Big windows and a relatively upright seating position help with confidence in tight streets and multi‑storey car parks. It looks every inch a premium compact SUV without shouting about it, which suits its relaxed character.

Lounge Glow, Sensible Touches

Inside, the GLA feels modern and welcoming, with distinctive turbine vents, generous ambient lighting and crisp twin screens that set the tone. Materials are largely convincing to the touch, and the driving position is easy to sort with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment. Core climate controls remain on physical buttons, which is a relief when you just want to tweak the temperature on the move. The touch‑sensitive pads on the steering wheel demand a careful thumb, and the depth of menus takes a little acclimatisation.

Small Outside, Big Enough Where It Counts

There’s genuinely good legroom in the rear, and two adults will be comfortable even on longer trips; a third will be fine for short hops. ISOFIX points are easy to access, and the door openings make fitting child seats less of a wrestling match. Boot space is practical in shape but on the smaller side for the class, offering around 435 litres in most versions and about 385 litres for the plug‑in hybrid. That means a folded buggy and weekly shop fit, but rivals like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 offer more headroom for luggage.

Relax First, Hustle Second

The GLA majors on comfort, gliding over patchy city tarmac and settling quickly after bigger bumps. On the motorway it tracks straight and stays impressively quiet, encouraging long, unhurried journeys. Steering is accurate but light on feedback, so it feels safe and tidy rather than playful when the road turns twisty. The dual‑clutch automatic shifts cleanly at speed but can shuffle a bit abruptly in stop‑and‑go traffic, something to note if your commute is mostly congestion.

Your Pace, Your Power

The line‑up spans mild‑hybrid petrols, efficient diesels, a plug‑in hybrid and full‑fat AMG options, covering 116 to 421 hp with 0–100 km/h from about 11.0 down to 4.3 seconds. Front‑wheel drive is standard on lower outputs, while 4MATIC all‑wheel drive brings extra traction to stronger petrols and most diesels. A 7‑ or 8‑speed dual‑clutch handles shifting duties across the range, keeping revs low for quiet cruising. Current choices include familiar badges such as GLA 180/200, 220/250 4MATIC, 180 d/200 d/220 d, the plug-in hybrid 250 e, and AMG 35/45 S for buyers who want real pace.

Numbers That Make Daily Sense

Real‑world consumption in the mild‑hybrid petrols typically lands around 6–7 l/100 km, and the diesels can dip to the mid‑5s on long runs. Official figures span 2.9–9.5 l/100 km across the range, reflecting very different use cases and power levels. The 250 e offers up to 74 km WLTP electric range, enough to cover many urban and suburban commutes without starting the engine if you charge at home or work. With the battery flat on the motorway, expect higher fuel use, and note the smaller fuel tank on the PHEV means more frequent stops on very long trips.

Tech That Eases the Miles

Two widescreen displays run the latest MBUX software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus improved voice control and over‑the‑air updates. Everyday tasks are straightforward once set up, though there is a learning curve to the deeper settings and drive assist menus. Driver aids are strong, with features like adaptive cruise, lane centring and a 360‑degree camera available, and a standard reversing camera helping in tight spots. Safety credentials are solid, bolstered by a five‑star Euro NCAP rating carried over for this generation.

Who It Suits Best

Comfort‑oriented commuters and frequent motorway drivers will appreciate the GLA’s refinement, supportive seats and calming road manners. City‑based families with one or two kids will like the space in row two and the easy parking manners, provided the smaller boot fits their routine. Company‑car users get strong appeal from the 250 e’s tax advantages and low running costs if they can plug in regularly. Enthusiastic drivers or those who routinely haul bulky gear may prefer a more agile rival like the BMW X1 or a roomier stablemate such as the Mercedes‑GLB.

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Reviews

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
Lucien
1 May 2026, 07:12:24

GLA 180 petrol. Ideal for city and highway. Very smooth and quiet. The automatic gearbox is a delight. Average consumption 6.2 L/100 km. Special edition 180 Cyber Edition, leather seats....

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Gutter
24 Feb 2026, 21:53:27

Super nimble, very impressive power from this 1,300cc mild‑hybrid engine — in town, on the road and on the motorway for this 2025 GLA 180 Style AMG... premium interior!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Serge
16 Jan 2026, 16:09:11

You have to compare like with like — the GLA should be compared to the Q3, not the Q2 as in your study!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, 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
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

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

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Is the Mercedes GLA offered with different drivetrains?

The Mercedes GLA is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.