2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

　　

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　So, you want a new SUV, you want a new Mercedes-Benz, and your budget is $40,000. You'd think finding such a thing would be impossible, but the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA has got your back. You can even get Mercedes' advanced gauge cluster display, larger central touchscreen, and a premium sound system if you're willing to spend a little more than 40 large.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$163/mo  for GLA-Class GLA 250

　　GLA-Class GLA 250

　　GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $36,400 MSRPGLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $38,400 MSRPAMG GLA 35 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $47,950 MSRPAMG GLA 45 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $54,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Is the GLA really an SUV? Well, compared to the Mercedes A-Class on which it is based, it has fake skid plates and gray body cladding, adds an inch of ground clearance, and offers a taller driving position and more cargo space. Therefore, consider all of the SUV club membership boxes checked, and the available 4Matic all-wheel-drive system seals the deal.

　　If this sounds good to you, be sure to read our full rating of the GLA below. And if this diminutive Benz doesn't push your buttons (in a good way), there are alternatives. You could cross-shop it against the Audi Q3, BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. But among these rivals, only the BMW offers a performance-tuned variant that can match the AMG-tuned versions of the GLA.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the GLA-Class drive? The GLA 250, which is the model we tested, should be more than enough for the vast majority of drivers. Power is appropriate for the vehicle size, and it gets up to speed with ease. Our front-wheel-drive test vehicle needed 6.8 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is an average time for an extra-small luxury SUV.

　　The engine and transmission are mostly smooth, though you'll notice some engine vibration from the automatic engine stop-start system when it first fires up. The transmission can also be a little slow to engage when you mash the gas for a quick burst of speed.

　　Around turns, the GLA is stable and secure. Less impressive were the numbers during our panic-braking test, where the GLA 250 needed a long 138 feet to stop from 60 mph. That's longer than the braking distances of some full-size trucks we've tested. We suspect that's due to a lack of grip from the economy-biased tires rather than the brakes themselves. On the flip side, we found the brakes very smooth during everyday driving.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the GLA-Class? In close to base form, the GLA delivers a good amount of overall comfort. The MB-Tex simulated leather breathes well on hot days, and the seats provide plenty of support and cushioning for longer drives. Short and tall drivers should find the front seats to their liking thanks to the generous adjustment range and extendable thigh supports. Multi-contour seats with heating and ventilation are available as options.

　　The ride quality is pretty good too, with no harshness over road imperfections. Undulations can cause some moderate jostling, but the suspension strikes a good balance of handling and comfort. On the downside, road noise is noticeable and sometimes intrusive on coarse road surfaces. The engine sounds labored under hard acceleration, but it is otherwise well muffled.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below