Mercedes Benz Premieres New GLA
The compact SUV Mercedes-Benz GLA concept debuted in 2013 Auto Shanghai Motor Show and since then, Mercedes Benz has wriggled their way into the ever growing market for compact SUVs.
There used to be such a big disconnect between their full size sedans, and the big, boxy G Class.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA, despite being heavily based on the latest Mercedes Benz A Class, looks like a proper conventional SUV. Taller, bolder, and sportier than its predecessor, the all new GLA looks like its ready to prove its better than the old GLA. But the changes aren't all cosmetic.
Let's start on the outside. The all new GLA is 4 inches taller than the previous model, although it is 0.6 inches shorter. This makes the car look more nimble and agile. The GLA's profile lines are also edgier and more angular, giving it a distinct, aggressive profile.
The GLA is fitted with new LED headlights and taillights, a wider tailgate opening, and a chrome finished bumper with two squared off exhausts.
Getting inside the GLA's cabin, you will be greeted by the distinctively Benz-like interior. Large screens for the infotainment and digital gauge cluster systems, turbine style air vents, leather wrapped seats and steering wheel, with metallic trim all over. The GLA seats up to five people, and the rear seats can be folded down in either a 40:60 or a 40:20:40 configuration in order to increase the cargo space.
Other features include Car Wash mode that automatically closes the windows and sunroof, and disables the automatic wipers, the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) that features an advanced voice control system that can be operated by greeting it "Hey Mercedes."
It is expected that the GLA will come standard with numerous safety features that Mercedes Benz is famous for, such as autonomous emergency braking, that hosts a slew of other great optional safety features such as blind spot monitoring, Active Steer Assist with Active Lane Change Assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.
The base model GLA will come with a 1.3 liter turbocharged 4 Cylinder that makes 161 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, enabling it to go 0-100 kilometers per hour (km/h) in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 210 km/h. The other GLA variant is the GLA 35 4Matic, which comes with a 2.0 liter engine that makes a whopping 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds.
The all new Mercedes Benz GLA rivals other luxury compact SUVs such as the BMW X2, the Audi Q2, and the Volvo XC40.
