The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Mercedes-Benz over two generations. It is essentially the SUV equivalent of the A-Class, and the smallest SUV marketed by the brand. The production version was revealed in August 2013 ahead of the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2013.
The GLA is powered by a range of petrol and diesel 4-cylinder engines, and comes in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter marketed by Mercedes as 4Matic.
The GLA nameplate aligns with Mercedes SUV nomenclature, where GL stands for Geländewagen (German for off-road vehicle) and the A designates its overall place in the Mercedes range, in this class, the smallest or A-Class.
Concept models Concept GLA (2013) The Concept GLA debuted in the 2013 Auto ShanghaiMercedes-Benz GLA Concept gets mobbed in China and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine rated , 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, driving all wheels via the Mercedes-Benz 4Matic system. The concept included front headlamps with a laser-beam projector, two cameras housed in the front roof rail, 20-inch wheels and fibre-optic ambient interior lighting.
Concept GLA 45 AMG (2013) The Concept GLA 45 AMG concept car was unveiled at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show,Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA45 AMG tip-toes around production status as a high-performance version of the GLA with an AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged petrol engine rated and , 4Matic all wheel drive, AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed transmission with paddle shifters, and fitted with various AMG-badged accoutrements and an AMG sports exhaust system with an electronically controlled variable vane system to modulate the exhaust note.
Concept GLA 45 AMG (2016) The 2016 Concept GLA 45 AMG with an AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged petrol engine rated and , 4Matic all wheel drive, AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed transmission with paddle shifters, and fitted with various AMG-badged accoutrements and an AMG sports exhaust system with an electronically controlled variable vane system to modulate the exhaust note.
First generation (X156; 2013)
The production X156 GLA is closely based on the Concept GLA design and was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.Five Mercedes-Benz world premieres at the 2013 IAA: Benchmark for automotive passion2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class hits the matte Orders had been taken beginning from the end of November 2013, and arrived in dealer showrooms during 2014, with Japan and US in the autumn.2015 Mercedes GLA-Class officially bound for Frankfurt
At launch, Mercedes-Benz claimed the vehicle was the most aerodynamic in its segment, with a Cd figure of 0.29. The GLA's platform makes use of a strut-type front suspension and a multi-link rear setup, and an electric power steering.
Nissan marketed a restyled variant of the GLA from 2016 to 2019 through its Infiniti brand in North America as the Infiniti Q30 and QX30, sharing the GLA mechanicals with revised exterior sheet metal. The Infiniti derivatives were produced between 2016 and 2019.
Facelift Mercedes unveiled a mid-life facelift of the GLA at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2017. The updated model came with some cosmetic tweaks on the outside, including a redesigned grille, new front and rear bumpers and updated 18-inch alloy wheels. Moreover, the bi-xenon headlamps of the previous models were replaced by all LED units, while the taillights too were all LED and got a new design pattern. A new Canyon Beige colour option was also added. The interiors carried forward the same dashboard layout, though the infotainment system received a new 8.0-inch screen that was located on top of the centre console in a free-standing layout.
GLA 45 AMG The design of GLA 45 AMG is based on Concept GLA 45 AMG, with AMG sports suspension (MacPherson strut front axle with stiffer steering knuckles, four-link rear axle, optimised elastokinematics, specially tuned spring/damper units, bigger anti-roll bars), electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, AMG high-performance braking system (ventilated, cross-drilled brake discs with grey- or red-painted brake calipers), 3-stage ESP with "SPORT Handling" mode, ESP Curve Dynamic Assist, 5-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey with high-sheen finish and 235/45 R19 tyres (optional 10-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in 2 a choice of 2 colours (titanium grey with high-sheen finish, matt black with high-sheen rim flange) 235/40 R 20 tyres), AMG front apron with front splitter in matt titanium grey, AMG 'twin blade' radiator grille in matt titanium grey, black flics (air deflector elements) above the large exterior cooling air intakes, bi-xenon headlamps, side sill panels with titanium grey inserts, 'TURBO AMG' lettering on the front wings and the aluminium roof rails, rear diffuser insert with titanium grey trim, rectangular chrome-plated tailpipe trim at the twin tailpipes.
Some launch models of the AMG are sold as "Edition 1", available for one year from market launch, and include a high-gloss black Aerodynamics package with larger front splitter, additional flics in the front apron, and rear aerofoil.Design and equipment: Sensual purity plus elements exclusive to AMG The vehicle was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show with sales from the summer of 2014.
Technical details The GLA shares its platform with the A-Class and B-Class, with a similar range of petrol and diesel engines. Availability of engines varies between markets.
Engines ModelYearsConfigurationDisplacementPowerTorqueTop speedFuel consumption/efficiency(EU-Norm combined)Petrol enginesGLA 18002/2015–11/2019Inline-4 turbo (M 270 DE 16 AL red.) at 5,000 rpm at 1,250-4,000 rpm9.3 seconds (M)9.2 seconds (A)(M)(A) (M) (A)GLA 20012/2013–11/2019Inline-4 turbo (M 270 DE 16 AL) at 5,300 rpm at 1,250-4,000 rpm8.9 seconds (M)8.8 seconds (A)(M)(A)(M)(A)GLA 220 4MATIC01/2017–11/2019Inline-4 turbo (M 270 DE 20 AL) at 5,500 rpm at 1,200-4,000 rpm7.1 secondsGLA 25012/2013–11/2019 at 5,500 rpm at 1,200-4,000 rpm6.7 seconds (M)(A)(M)(A)(M)(A)GLA 250 4MATIC6.6 secondsGLA 45 4MATIC AMG07/2014–08/2015Inline-4 twin-scroll turbo (M 133 DE 20 AL) at 6,000 rpm at 2,250-5,000 rpm4.8 secondsMercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC09/2015–04/2019 at 6,000 rpm at 2,250-5,000 rpm4.4 seconds with AMG Driver's PackageDiesel engines ("d" designation replaced "CDI" from January 2017 onward)GLA 180 d (CDI)09/2014–05/2018Inline-4 turbo (OM 607 DE 15 LA) at 5,000 rpm at 1,750–2,500 rpm12.0 seconds (M)11.9 seconds (A)(M)(A) (M) (A)GLA 200 d (CDI)12/2013–04/2019 Inline-4 turbo (OM 651 DE 22 LA) at 3,400–4,400 rpm at 1,400–3,000 rpm10.0 seconds (M)9.9 seconds (A)(M)(A) (M) (A)GLA 200 d (CDI) 4MATIC9.9 secondsGLA 220 d (CDI) at 3,400–4,400 rpm at 1,400–3,000 rpm8.3 secondsGLA 220 d (CDI) 4MATIC
Transmissions ModelYearsTypes (standard) Types (optional)Petrol enginesGLA 18002/2015–11/20196-speed manual7-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automaticGLA 20012/2013–11/2019GLA 220 4MATIC01/2017–11/20197-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic–GLA 25012/2013–11/20196-speed manual7-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automaticGLA 250 4MATIC7-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic–GLA 45 4MATIC AMG 07/2014–08/20157-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch automatic–Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC09/2015–04/2019Diesel enginesGLA 180 d09/2014–05/20186-speed manual7-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automaticGLA 200 d12/2013–04/2019GLA 200 d 4MATIC7-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic–GLA 220 dGLA 220 d 4MATIC
Safety
Marketing As part of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Nintendo, the two companies released a television commercial featuring Mario driving a Mercedes-Benz GLA in the Japanese market in May 2014 to coincide with the line's Japanese launch. Additional commercials featuring other Mario characters in the same style were released in November 2014, culminating in the GLA becoming a selectable vehicle in Mario Kart 8 and its Switch port with Mercedes' W 25 Silver Arrow and 300 SL Roadster also being included.Mario Bros. enlisted to sell Mercedes GLA in Japan with bizarre results
Second generation (H247; 2019)
The second generation, introduced on 11 December 2019 at Mercedes media event, is revised from the previous generation. The chassis number, 247, is shared with W247 B-Class and X247 GLB. The GLA uses the second generation MFA2 platform and completes the eight-model W177 A-Class compact based line-up.
The H247 GLA is shorter in length, narrower, higher than the first-generation model, and the wheelbase has been extended by . The H247 GLA has 116 mm more headroom, 45 mm more elbow room and 43 mm more rear shoulder room. The ground clearance has been raised by 9 mm to 143 mm and the front seats are positioned 140 mm higher than in the W177 A-Class. Despite this, there is an added of front-seat headroom compared to its predecessor.
As with other MFA2-based models, the GLA has suspension with MacPherson struts up front and either a torsion beam or multi-link suspension at the rear. Variable damping control is optional. Inside, the GLA is similar to other MFA2 Mercedes models, featuring a dashboard with a free-standing digital display panel, the MBUX infotainment system, as well as other tech such as a colour Heads-Up Display.
A battery electric version called the EQA was introduced in 2020 as the third battery electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz.
2023 facelift In March 2023, the GLA received a facelift, featuring redesigned headlights and taillights. It receives the latest iteration of Mercedes's MBUX infotainment system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It receives updated powertrain options, along with three new optional wheel designs. A dual 10.3-inch screen that originally came part of the Premium Package became standard.
Technical details Powertrain The second generation GLA has four petrol and four diesel models at launch. The GLA 250 e plug-in hybrid model was revealed in March 2020. The model range for the United States is GLA 250, GLA 4MATIC, and Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC.
ModelYearsConfigurationDisplacementPowerTorqueTop SpeedFuel Consumption/Efficiency(EU-Norm combined)Petrol EnginesGLA 1802020– Turbo inline-4M 282 DE 14 AL at 5,500 rpm at 1,460 rpm9.6 secondsGLA 2002020– at 5,500 rpm at 1,620–4,000 rpm8.7 secondsGLA 200 4MATIC2020– at 5,500 rpm at 1,620 rpm9.3 secondsGLA 2502020– Turbo I4M 260 DE 20 AL at 5,500 rpm at 1,800–4,000 rpm6.9 seconds GLA 250 4MATIC2020–6.7 secondsMercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC2020– at 5,500 rpm at 1,800–4,000 rpm5.1 seconds Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC+2020–2024 Turbo I4M 139 at 5,500 rpm at 1,800–4,000 rpm4.4 secondsMercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4MATIC+2020–2024 at 5,500 rpm at 1,800–4,000 rpm4.3 secondsPlug-In Hybrid EnginesGLA 250 e 03/2020– Turbo inline-4M282 DE14 LA Engine: Electric: Engine: Electric: 6.6 secondsDiesel EnginesGLA 180 d2020– Turbo inline-4OM 654q DE 20 SCR at 3,400–4,400 rpm at 1,200–2,600 rpm10.8-11.0 secondsGLA 200 d2020– Turbo inline-4OM 654q DE 20 at 3,400 – 4,440 rpm at 1,400 - 2,600 rpm9.0 secondsGLA 200 d 4MATIC2020–9.3 secondsGLA 220 d 4MATIC2020– at 3,800 rpm at 1,600 - 2,400 rpm7.6 seconds
Transmissions Only GLA 180 and 200 uses 7-speed 7G-DCT automatic transmission while the rest of engine range uses 8-speed 8G-DCT automatic transmission. The GLA 35 4MATIC AMG uses 8-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. The GLA 250 e 8-speed automatic 8F-DCT. No manual transmission option is available anymore.
Safety
Third generation (H248/244; 2026)
The third generation GLA, revealed on 29 July 2026, unifies both internal combustion engine and battery electric (EQA) models under the GLA name, similar to the C174 CLA revealed a year prior. While battery electric versions will be available first, the hybrid version will follow in 2027.
Compared to its predecessor, the third generation GLA is longer and lower than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase.