We drove the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200, GLA 250 4MATIC & AMG GLA 35 4MATIC.
The GLA is a relatively new nameplate by Mercedes-Benz standards. This centuries-old car brand entered the compact crossover game just over a decade ago with a body-style variant of the A-Class that was redesigned for the SUV-loving crowd. Now, one and a half generations later, the GLA has become one of the company’s most important entry-level products. In Malaysia, the sales gap between the GLA and the brand’s two entry-level sedans – the C-Class and A-Class Sedan – has shrunk considerably, and this is in no small part due to the availability of locally-assembled variants of the GLA.
We managed to test-drive all three variants of the GLA that are locally assembled at the Pekan plant. Here’s what each one was good for.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200
Let’s start with the base model – the GLA 200. This was a mostly forgettable drive, but that’s not to say it was a bad car at all.
Its biggest strength is that it has almost all the style you could ask for in a modern Benz SUV while still being a lot more affordable in certain areas.
Take the road tax, for instance – you’re only going to pay the government RM100 a year to keep this car on the road. And even though the 1.3L 4-cylinder turbo isn’t inspiring to push hard, it does what it’s designed to do well enough. 163hp and 250Nm of torque give it just enough zip to keep up with the fastest mass-market vehicles, while the 7-speed DCT and overall efficiency-oriented powertrain design keep fuel consumption pretty low in daily driving scenarios.
It’s also one of the last pure ICE vehicles offered by Mercedes-Benz. I don’t know if that’s a strength or a weakness, but if electrification bothers you, then maybe the 200 is the GLA you’d be more drawn to.
Really, it’s the style of the vehicle that shines with the GLA 200. The 2nd generation GLA is a handsome crossover, perhaps the best-looking car in its class. The 18” wheels are cheaper to replace tyres for, and they don’t look out of place thanks to the design and finish chosen.
The dual 10.25” screens define the cabin experience and you get that in the base model. These feature some very slick animations and a range of custom dial options too.
The level of polish is still several tiers above what’s available in the mass market, though in the premium space, there are rivals that do some aspects better. This generation also gives you a wireless charging pad and USB-C charging ports.
If that’s all you’re after, and you’re not fussed about driving fast, sportier-looking AMG Line bits or even a more complete equipment list, this is probably the car for you.
And it’s not as if the GLA 200 is completely lacking in convenience features. You get a high-quality reverse camera and accurate parking aids.
You also get a powered tailgate, memory front seats, ambient interior lighting with 64 colours, keyless-go, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a bunch of other nice-to-haves that would have been absent from a base model GLA a generation ago.
Safety features are also solid with ADAS as standard. In fact, you’re not getting much of an upgrade in equipment versus the GLA 250, which makes the base model a little easier to accept.
It’s enough car for a high-income single or couple to comfortably use daily. It might serve well also if you’ve already got a larger vehicle but want something premium and compact as a secondary vehicle for a spouse or a child.
At RM258,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 isn’t exactly screaming value for money. You get to tell people you drive a Benz, but you might be a bit conscious that it isn’t a particularly impressive Benz.
For something to really boast about, you might want to upgrade to our next candidate on the list.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line
Step up to the 250 model and now you’re in for a treat. It’s not about the toys you get, but the experience behind the wheel. In terms of pure equipment, you really aren’t getting any upgrades.
It’s the same sound system, the same infotainment and digital display, the same lack of a 360-degree camera, the same ADAS functions… in fact, the list of carried-over features is fairly extensive.
However, there are two aspects of the GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line that feel like very substantial upgrades and they’re right in the name. “250 4MATIC” implies a more powerful and capable driveline and that’s exactly what you get.
The 2.0L inline-4 turbo with a mild hybrid component under the hood is a major upgrade over the 1.3L in the base model.
This engine can deliver a taste of serious performance and shows you just what the chassis is capable of at higher speeds. The petrol motor has an output of 221hp and 350Nm of torque, aided by a 14hp and 150Nm of torque electric motor that helps plug performance and efficiency gaps.
0-100km/h takes just 6.8 seconds which puts it close to sports car territory, though the powertrain can relax and do the daily drive just fine.
The transmission is also upgraded to an 8-speed dual-clutch of Mercedes-Benz origin. A massive upgrade with the latest revision is the inclusion of 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This gives the vehicle a lot of confidence at higher speeds.
I would say that if you’re upgrading from a previous-generation GLA or A-Class, you should skip the 200 model and go straight to this variant as you’ll be able to appreciate just how much better this generation of compact Benz models drives with this powertrain.
The “AMG Line” aspect of this variant is also a moderate pull factor if you’re choosing between the base model and this. Here you get a much sportier-looking vehicle with the AMG grille, 19” AMG 5-spoke rims, and lower bumper garnish. Inside, there are AMG-branded side sills, carpets and a more sophisticated AMG sports steering wheel.
You’ll also find more red stitching, more aluminium inlays, and more Dinamica suede-like upholstery on the door cards.
These aspects are mostly subjective but they do elevate the feel of the vehicle and that is an important aspect of premium vehicle ownership.
However, at this level, you’re paying RM295,888 and you may begin to ask yourself why a car that’s priced so high still lacks a 360-degree camera and rear air-cond vents.
The way the 250 model redeems itself in terms of value is in how it moves at high speed. If you enjoy high performance and luxury in a compact package, you could tell yourself that you’re getting 80% of the dynamism of a proper compact sports car with 80% of the luxury of a proper large Benz.
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC
Now we’re getting into serious performance territory. With the GLA 35, what you’re getting is a proper AMG-tuned engine, chassis, steering, and brakes.
Even the tyres have been upgraded to SportContact 6 to deal with the added performance.
While it’s not the most extreme iteration of the GLA, it’s as fast as you could ask a car of this class to go before it becomes too stiff and too darty to drive daily.
The AMG GLA 35 4MATIC is the version you want if you want to pull up to something like a Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf R or GR Corolla and feel like you’ve outstaged these cars without expending much effort.
Again, like the 250 model, you’re getting a taste of the good life with the untouchable aura of Mercedes-Benz design. However, this time you’re also getting a vehicle that is without a doubt able to deliver sports car performance with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 5.2 seconds. The AMG-designed engine outputs well over 300PS and 400Nm of torque, plus there’s the hybrid element there to fill the gaps once again.
It also manages to look the part without coming across as gaudy. The only hints that this version of the GLA really means business are the AMG Panamericana grille, the larger rims and the red-painted brake calipers.
The exhaust note also sounds a little more raspy and the engine sings more effortlessly, which adds to the overall driving experience. It’s also worth noting that each variant has slightly different tailpipe designs, with minor changes to the lower section of the rear bumper.
With the AMG 35 model, you also finally get some much-needed upgrades in terms of equipment. The 360-degree parking camera and rear vents are finally available on this variant.
There are also other really nice-to-haves, such as the circular OLED displays on the steering wheel that allow you to select drive modes, suspension settings and more.
The interior trim features a carbon weave pattern and this goes really well with the sportier orientation of this model.
The red seatbelts too are a nice touch and of course you finally get LED projector headlights to go with this GLA by AMG.
However, I think the nicest upgrade to equipment comes in the form of the 12-speaker 710W Burmester sound system. This really is one of the best audio experiences in a compact model and it helps to properly distinguish what Mercedes-Benz is capable of in the segment.
Despite costing RM364,888, this variant of the GLA actually feels like the best ‘value’ option of the three. Sure, it’s the most expensive by a huge margin, but it’s also the only one that delivers a complete premium equipment experience, real performance pedigree, and is actually priced favourably against mass-market premium hatchbacks while still offering crossover styling and loads more brand value.
The locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz GLA lineup in Malaysia offers something for every premium buyer—from the stylish and efficient GLA 200 to the powerful GLA 250 4MATIC and the performance-focused AMG GLA 35.
Each variant delivers a balance of luxury and practicality though the value proposition gets stronger the higher up the ladder you go. That’s the strange thing about the compact Mercedes – at the lower tier, it’s outclassed by many mass market offerings but at the upper tier, it’s unmatched by just about everything but the best of the worst.
