The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA has arrived in South Africa! Take a look at specification details and what you can expect to pay for the refreshed GLA.

Shown at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the facelifted GLA compact SUV is now available in South Africa with updated exterior and interior styling and updated equipment lines.

What’s changed?

'Canyon Beige' is the new colour available on the GLA, which also benefits from exterior and interior styling updates.

Exterior revisions are minimal, but nonetheless include redesigned bumpers, a choice of new alloy wheel designs and a striking exterior colour called ‘Canyon Beige’ is now on offer. The GLA is fitted with a comfort suspension system as standard while an off-road suspension system is offered as an option, raising the body by 30 mm. A lowered suspension option is available on request provided that you opt for the AMG Line or the Dynamic Handling Package.

On the inside, a 360-degree camera is now on offer giving the driver full view of the vehicle and its direct surroundings. The interior benefits from new seat covers and trim elements with chromed control panels. An 8-inch infotainment system is fitted and the instrument cluster features new dials and needles.

Subtle highlights are seen on the electric seat controls on the door panels while the storage compartment in the centre console is now trimmed with a chrome frame. The air vent nozzle rings are also more pronounced. For the Urban and Style equipment lines, new seat cover fabrics and colours are available, including Artico man-made leather. LED high-performance headlights are offered as an option.

Most of the changes are found on the inside of the GLA with new details lifting the interior ambiance.

The previous Exclusive package is now supplemented with a Luxury Exclusive package that includes black leather in a buffalo look and trim elements include a choice of trapezium-grain aluminium, light brown satin-finish poplar wood or high-gloss brown walnut. Matt black ash wood or AMG trim elements in carbon fibre are also on offer. The Exclusive package with standard sports seats is still offered as an option.

The Night Package can be combined with the Style equipment line which includes 18-inch bi-chromatic light alloy wheels, high-gloss black radiator louvres, black roof rails and a black shoulder line trim strip. The front and rear bumpers and exterior mirrors in high gloss black further add to the sportiness of the Night Package.

The GLA also boasts Hands-Free Access as an option, allowing you to open and close the boot lid with a foot movement. As part of the optional Stowage Facility Package, the boot floor can also be locked using a key.

The Engine Range

The GLA45 AMG Yellow Night Edition features yellow details giving the model a more menacing and sportier character.

The engine offering includes a 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine in the GLA200 with 115 kW and 250 Nm of torque as well as a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine in the GLA250 4MATIC offering 155 kW and 349 Nm of torque. Diesel options include a 2.1-litre turbodiesel in two states of tune with either 100 kW/300 Nm in the GLA200d or 130 kW/350 Nm in the GLA220d 4Matic.

The GLA range is headlined by the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 4MATIC with its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine developing 280 kW and 475 Nm of torque. A 7-speed dual clutch sport transmission is fitted and claimed acceleration from zero to 100 kph is dispatched in 4.4 seconds. An automatically controlled exhaust flap is standard and the exhaust note can be note can be further enhanced if you opt for the optional AMG performance exhaust system. Fuel consumption is claimed at 7.4 L/100 km.

A Yellow Night Edition is also available to buyers who want something even more sporty than thestandard GLA45 AMG 4MATIC. The Yellow Night Edition is painted in night black or cosmos black, combined with matt graphite grey and yellow details. The matt black light alloy wheels feature yellow rim flanges as well as a black-painted AMG twin louvre seen in the grille. Yellow highlights are also seen on the front apron, mirror housings, side skirt inserts, rear diffuser and on the rear wing. AMG sports stripes in matt graphite grey are seen on the bonnet, roof, boot lid and down the side of the car.

The yellow theme is carried over into the interior and the model benefits form an Aerodynamic Package and Night Package while the AMG Dynamic Plus package is offered as an option.

Mercedes-Benz GLA – Price in South Africa

GLA200 – R485 400

GLA250 4MATIC – R654 700

GLA200d – R513 000

GLA220d 4MATIC – R592 500

Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC – R856700

GLA45 4MATIC Yellow Night Edition – R961700

The GLA is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 6-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Want to buy a Mercedes-Benz GLA?

Find a new or used GLA on Cars.co.za

Related Content

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA Shown

Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD Inscription (2016) Review