Seat Time: 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA
October 6th, 2014 at 4:19pm
Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.

Reviewer: Seamus McElroy
Manufacturer: Daimler
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: GLA
Type: Compact crossover
Competitors: BMW X1, Audi Q3
Price: GLA250 = $32,225/ GLA45 AMG = $49,225
Made in: Germany
Drivetrain: 2.0L Four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine w/ seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission
EPA Ratings: GLA250 FWD – Not available/ GLA 250 4MATIC – 24MPG city/32 MPG hwy./ GLA45 AMG – 23MPG city/29 MPG hwy.
Final Impression:
In an effort to boost sales, Mercedes introduced the CLA, a small sedan with a starting price right around $30,000. While many questioned whether it’s a good idea for a luxury brand to move down market because over time it could dilute the brand, the move has paid off for Mercedes. The CLA is bringing in new and younger buyers. The average age of a CLA owner is 10 years younger than the rest of its line-up and three out of four CLA buyers are new to Mercedes. The company has sold more than 30,000 CLA’s in the U.S., a pretty impressive number but now the company is targeting the red hot crossover segment with the GLA.
The new compact CUV is based on the CLA architecture and also features the same powertrain setup. A 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s matched to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. There’s also an AMG version of the GLA that’s powered by a modified setup of the base car. The entry level GLA250 has plenty of power when you need it and feels well planted on the road. There’s several driving modes to select from that changes the dynamics to perform more economically or sporty depending on your mood.