The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S might look like a small SUV on the outside, but it’s packing a 310kW/500Nm engine that gives it enough gusto to frighten even the hottest of hot hatches. Is this the ultimate blend of performance and practicality?
You have to feel a bit sorry for the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S. After all, it shares the same platform and engine as the A 45 S and CLA 45 S, but gets none of the limelight.
Maybe it’s because it’s a small SUV, and by virtue of pure physics, it will never be as fast or fun as its two cousins.
But what it does offer is practicality, thanks to a larger boot and comfort, due to its increased suspension travel.
Wouldn’t this make it a better buy then?
We spend some time behind the wheel of the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S to see if can truly have its cake, and eat it too.
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2021: GLA45 S 4Matic+
Safety rating
—
Engine Type
2.0L turbo
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
9.6L/100km
Seating
5 seats
Price from
$99,770
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 7/10
Priced at $107,035, before on-road costs, the GLA 45 S not only sits atop the Mercedes-Benz GLA range, but is also the priciest small SUV available in Australia.
For context, the second-most expensive GLA – the GLA 35 – costs $82,935, while the previous-generation GLA 45 was priced at $91,735 – meaning a $15,300 leap for the new-gen version.
The GLA 45 S makes use of the 'Mercedes-Benz User Experience' multimedia system.
The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S also easily blows away its Audi RS Q3 in the pricing department, but also for performance (more on that below).
For the price you are paying, you’d expect a long equipment list, and Mercedes doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Highlights include an automatic tailgate, keyless entry, push-button start, wireless smartphone charger, illuminated door sills, electronically adjustable front seats with heating, LED headlights, and a panoramic glass sunroof. But at this price you are also paying for a kickass engine and prodigious performance.
As with many of Mercedes’ new models, the GLA 45 S makes use of the 'Mercedes-Benz User Experience' multimedia system, which is outputted across a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Users have many input options, too, from a central touchpad with haptic feedback, the touchscreen, capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel, or with voice commands.
The GLA 45 S also picks up snazzy sports seats.
Being an AMG, the GLA 45 S also picks up a unique steering wheel with yellow contrast stitching, leather interior, snazzy sports seats, as well as unique instrumentation readouts such as engine oil temperature.
Our test car also came fitted with the optional 'Innovation Package', bundling a head-up display and an excellent augmented reality overlay that shows streets in real time on the multimedia screen.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The most obvious tell that the GLA 45 S is something a little special is the Panamericana front grille, an ode to the 1952 Mercedes 300 SL, which is found on all of the German brand's hot models.
But if that wasn’t enough to give it away, the reworked bumper with larger intakes, red-painted brake calipers, lower ride height, black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels should help.
The most obvious tell that the GLA 45 S is something a little special is the Panamericana front grille.
Coming round to the rear, if the AMG and GLA 45 S badges aren’t enough to give away this car’s sporting intent, the quad-exhaust tips and diffuser are sure to give any tailgaters pause.
Our car also came with the optional 'Aerodynamics Package', which adds front fender flicks and a massive roof-mounted rear wing for an even racier look.
If you think the GLA 45 S looks a bit like a jacked up hot hatch, you aren’t far off. Overall, we reckon Mercedes has done a great job at translating the aggressiveness of its A 45 hatch to the larger, higher-riding GLA.
The GLA 45 S has a massive roof-mounted rear wing for a racier look.
Without the aero package optioned, you might even call it a bit of a sleeper, and it’s certainly more subdued in styling compared to its Audi RS Q3 rival.
In fact, the GLA 45 S might be too subtle for such a hot SUV, at least for our tastes.
Whereas the A 45 S and CLA 45 S get bulky fenders and a hunkered-down, aggressive stance, the GLA 45 S could just blend into the sea of SUVs seen out on the streets, especially without the aerodynamics package added.
The GLA 45 S might be too subtle for such a hot SUV.
Your mileage will vary though, and for some, the subtler looks will be a positive.
Anyone who has sat in a recent small Mercedes should feel right at home in the GLA 45 S, and that’s because it shares much of its interior design with the A-Class, CLA and GLB.
As mentioned before, the 10.25-inch centre screen takes care of multimedia duties, but there are also clicky and tactile buttons underneath for climate controls.
Key to the interior design though is an all-digital instrument display, which is laid out on the high-definition 10.25-inch screen.
With two screens facing you, you might think it’s a bit of information overload, but you can tweak each display to show the information you want.
You can tweak each display to show the information you want.
The digital instrumentation might not be as intuitive as Audi’s 'Virtual Cockpit', but the layout and design of the interior is easy to use and offers owners plenty of customisation to get it right.
How practical is the space inside? 9/10
The new-generation GLA 45 S has grown in all dimensions compared with its predecessor, making it much roomier and more practical than before.
For reference, it measures 4438mm long, 1849mm wide, 1581mm tall and features a 2729mm wheelbase, but still sports a roomy cabin for four adults, especially in the front seats.
Being a small SUV, the rear seats also afford plenty of room for occupants.
Storage options include decent door pockets that will accommodate large bottles, a deep centre storage bin, smartphone cradle that doubles as a wireless charger, and two cupholders.
Being a small SUV, the rear seats also afford plenty of room for occupants, with more than enough space for head, shoulders and legs – even with the front seat adjusted to my 183 cm (6'0") frame.
There are decent door pockets, air vents, and USB-C ports that should keep passengers happy on long trips, but the GLA 45 S doesn’t have a fold-down armrest or cupholders for the rear seats.
The boot, however, is where the GLA 45 S really starts to make a case for itself compared to the A 45 S.
The boot boasts 435 litres of volume.
The boot boasts 435 litres of volume, and can expand to a massive 1430L with the rear seats folded – making it about 15 per cent bigger than the A 45 S – while the higher load height should make loading and unloading groceries a bit easier.
The boot expands to a massive 1430L with the rear seats folded.
A downside of the GLA’s tech-focused interior, though, is that all the USB ports are now USB Type-C, meaning you’ll likely have to carry around an adapter to use your old cables.
Mercedes is generous enough to include one with the car, but given most device chargers are still USB Type-A, it is something to be aware of.
What are the key stats for the engine and transmission? 10/10
Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a 2.0-litre turbochargedpetrol engine, outputting a staggering 310kW/500Nm.
This means the new car jumps up 30kW/25Nm compared to its predecessor, explaining (at least in part) the price jump.
The GLA 45 S is also the top-spec version globally. The 285kW/480Nm GLA 45 which is available overseas would be more directly comparable to the old car.
Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The engine is also the most potent production 2.0-litre on earth, and is shared with the A 45 S and CLA 45 S.
Paired to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to all four wheels via Mercedes’ '4Matic' system.
As a result, the GLA 45 S will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a frighteningly quick 4.3 seconds, and carry on to an electronically limited top speed of 265km/h.
This is 0.4s slower than its A 45 S sibling, in part due to its heftier 1807kg weight.
How much fuel does it consume? 10/10
Official fuel consumption figures for the GLA 45 S are pegged at 9.6 litres per 100km thanks in part to an engine start/stop system.
We managed 11.2L/100km after a few days of testing around Melbourne’s inner city and winding country back roads, but those with lighter feet will no doubt come closer to the official figures.
A performance SUV that can ferry kids and groceries, out accelerate nearly everything else on the road, and sip around 10L/100km? That’s a win in our book.
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating? 7/10
At the time of writing, the new-generation GLA – including this GLA 45 S – has yet to be crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
This actually makes the new GLA 45 S cheaper to maintain over its first five years than the outgoing car, which costs $4950 over the same time period.
What's it like to drive? 9/10
If the bespoke styling wasn’t enough of a giveaway, all it takes to realise you are behind the wheel of something special is to turn on the GLA 45 S.
The prodigious engine is fantastic in the A 45 S and CLA 45 S and is no different here.
With peak power coming in at a heady 6750rpm and maximum torque available from 5000-5250rpm, the GLA 45 S likes to rev and makes it feel a little like a naturally aspirated engine in character.
All it takes to realise you are behind the wheel of something special is to turn on the GLA 45 S.
Don’t get us wrong, once the boost becomes available, you will feel that shove into the back, but it’s great that Mercedes has made the engine perform a little more predictably.
Paired to the engine is a smooth shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is one of the better versions I've experienced.
Many DCT bugbears, such as jerkiness at low speeds and clunkiness when putting into reverse, aren’t apparent here, and the transmission is up to the task when puttering around town or when driving spiritedly.
Speaking of which, the GLA 45 S’ different drive modes will easily change its character from tame to wild, with available options including ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’, ‘Individual’ and ‘Slippery.’
Each mode will tweak the engine response, transmission speed, suspension setting, traction control and exhaust, while each can also be mixed and matched in the ‘Individual’ drive mode.
However, a missing feature for the GLA 45 S that is found in its A 45 S and CLA 45 S siblings is a drift mode.
Sure, how many small SUV owners are going to take their car to a track to make use of it, but it still would have been nice to have the option.
With three levels of suspension setting, though, the GLA 45 S offers enough variability to be comfortable around town and soak up the bumps thanks to its long suspension travel, while also switchable for a more involved, driver-focused feel.
The GLA 45 S might never corner as hard or fast as its A45 S sibling, but being an SUV brings its own unique set of plus points.
Verdict
A performance SUV should be an oxymoron and is no doubt a niche product. Is it a high-riding hot hatch? Or a mega-potent small SUV?
Turns out the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a bit of both and delivers the thrills of a performance car without any of the packaging or comfort-related issues.
While it is getting a little expensive at over $100,000, its blend of space and pace is hard to beat.
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