This review covers Mercedes Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC space and comfort, performance, NVH, fuel efficiency and more aspects.
The second generation GLA was launched on May 25, 2021 and within the first two weeks, the first batch got completely sold out. Even the previous iteration singularly accounted for 10% of all Mercedes Benz sales in India between 2014 & 2019.
New GLA is underpinned by MFA2 platform, which forms base even in A Class Limousine. GLA standard as well as AMG are assembled at the carmaker’s Chakan plant in Maharashtra. There is complete peace of mid with 8 years standard warranty on engine & transmission along with a comprehensive three-year warranty.
There are 4 variants on offer – 2 petrol and 2 diesel.
| Variants | PETROL | DIESEL |
| GLA 200 | ✔ | – |
| GLA 220d | – | ✔ |
| GLA 220d 4MATIC | – | ✔ |
| GLA 35 AMG 4MATIC | ✔ | – |
Compared to the previous generation, New GLA looks sophisticated, proportionate and modern. Headlamps are sharper and sleeker. Front grille now has a thicker single slat.
This 220d 4MATIC trims has AMG specific features including AMG front & rear apron, diamond radiator grille with chrome pins, 19″ AMG alloys.
Bonnet as well as side profile has finely chiseled character lines. Chrome plated waistline and window line along with effective utilisation of piano black finish on B & C pillar adds to the bling.
Rear look is free from visual bulk and looks sporty thanks to those two piece LED lights.
Boot Space of GLA is 435 L and spare tyre is placed in the boot itself. To further enhance the cargo area, 2nd row seats can be folded which has 40:20:40 split function. Two grocery hooks and one luggage lamp is available in the luggage area.
| SUVs | Boot Space |
| Mercedes GLA | 435 L |
| BMW X1 | 505 L |
| Volvo XC40 | 460 L |
| Mini Countryman | 450 L |
Step inside the cabin, you will feel the quality of material on the inside is far superior than before. If you have been in any other Mercedes car in recent times, you will feel instantly at home.
With the 220d 4MATIC variant, there is all black interior theme with silver trim all around and red stitching on the seats while the 200 and 220d trims do offer couple of choices.
Soft touch leather on the dashboard, armrest adds to the premium factor . Controls for climate control, cabin lamps and on the AMG steering, everything gives you a feel that you are sitting in a much luxurious car.
Dual pane panoramic sunroof ensures there is loads of light entering the cabin and gives sense of much more spacious interiors.
64 colour ambient lighting lights up the cabin. When we increase temperature in climate control, ambient light in air cons turn red and on decreasing it, it turns blue.
Apart from multi colour ambient light, meticulous LED interior lamps at front and rear illuminates a larger area. Two reading lamps under IRVM and sun visor has vanity mirror and light on both sides.
We have got 1 smart key with 3 switches – lock, unlock and tailgate open. There is smart keyless entry albeit driver or co driver side door handles doesn’t have any sensors.
This variant comes with AMG steering wheel. From left side, infotainment system can be operated and right side controls are for instrument cluster and cruise control.
Instrument cluster is completely digital and has four display modes – As we toggle through the modes, the theme of infotainment unit also gets updated. Here it offers features like G meter, navigation, 4MATIC and other basic data related to fuel consumption and range.
Infotainment system can be operated via a multiple ways – touchpad, steering toggles and then it is touchscreen as well. This 10.25” unit support android auto, apple CarPlay (not wireless), navigation, voice commands.
Multiple configurations can be made for seat kinetics, ambient light, ESP, Hill descent control, Active Brake assist, attention assist, surround light, dynamic select & more from this unit.
Vehicle info (like tyre degree, brake & gas percentage), engine data (output and torque) and fuel efficiency are also displayed.
Touch responsiveness is pretty good and it didn’t lose its brightness even in direct sunlight. Rear camera is available and as we put the car in reverse, ORVMs tilt down to provide a better view although there are no parking sensors either at front or rear end.
There are umpteen storage space inside the cabin which includes front and rear doors, big size bottle holder, map pocket storage, front storage space with twin cupholders, practical glovebox, front armrest, sunglass holder, front seatback storage net.
Couple of USB C Type charging ports for front and rear occupants along with a single 12V socket is on offer.
Opening aperture of front doors is quite wide resulting in easy ingress and egress. Front seats hold you very well. Tall passengers have got the comfort of cushion extension.
Rear doors doesn’t open too wide but to enter and exit the second row, we don’t need to bend our head. Each of the three occupants at the back gets their own adjustable headrests.
This variant doesn’t comes with rear armrest. Although tall passengers would crave for slightly more under thigh support, at the same time, there is no dearth of knee room and headroom. Three medium sized passengers would be comfy in rear seats.
Some of the key equipments of GLA are:
Top Safety features
| PETROL | Mercedes GLA | BMW X1 | Volvo XC40 | Mini Countryman |
| Engine | 1.3 L turbo Petrol | 2.0 L Twin Turbo Petrol | 2.0 L turbo Petrol | 2.0 Petrol |
| Capacity | 1332 cc | 1998 cc | 1969 cc | 1998 cc |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Power | 161 BHP | 189 BHP | 187 BHP | 189 BHP |
| Torque | 250 NM | 280 NM | 300 NM | 280 NM |
| Gearbox | 7 Speed DCT | 7 Speed DCT | 8 Speed AT | 7 Speed DCT |
| Fuel efficiency | – | 14.82 kmpl | 14.49 kmpl | 14.34 kmpl |
| 0-100 kmph | 8.7 sec | 7.7 sec | 8.4 sec | 7.5 sec |
| Top speed | 210 kmph | 226 kmph | 180 kmph | 225 kmph |
| DIESEL | Mercedes GLA | BMW X1 | Volvo XC40 | Mini Countryman |
| Engine | 2.0 L Turbo Diesel | 2.0 L Turbo Diesel | – | – |
| Capacity | 1950 cc | 1995 cc | – | – |
| Drivetrain | FWD (220d), AWD (220d 4MATIC) | FWD | – | – |
| Power | 188 BHP | 188 BHP | – | – |
| Torque | 400 NM | 400 NM | – | – |
| Gearbox | 8 Speed AT | 8 Speed AT | – | – |
| Fuel efficiency | – | 19.62 kmpl | – | – |
| 0-100 kmph | 7.4 sec (220d), 7.3 sec (220d 4MATIC) | 7.9 sec | – | – |
| Top speed | 222 kmph (220d), 219 kmph (220d 4MATIC) | 222 kmph | – | – |
This 220d 4MATIC variant is powered by 2.0 lire turbo diesel unit with output figures of 188 BHP and 400 NM. Transmission duties are handled by 8 speed torque converter automatic transmission.
At standstill, there is slight bit of vibration at floorboard which fades away as we rev the engine. Real power comes in as early as 1,600 rpm while the meat of the power is stored between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. Even at 4,500 rpm, we did get a nice shove as well. In city driving, the rpms remain under 2,000 rpm. Drive modes alters the performance of the engine. Switch it to sport mode, and you get a push back in the seats and is surely enthusiast’s delight. While Eco and Comfort don’t cause so much loss in power delivery and delivers incredible performance. Going hard on the pedal, it derives power from the rear wheels, upto 30% in Sports mode.
Gear shifts are lighting quick. Steering wheel is light in Eco and Comfort, with slight heft in Sport mode at idle. The unit is direct, accurate and assuring however we would have slightly more weight in steering when driving at sport mode. At triple digit speeds, this unit makes you feels so connected ensuring enough confidence behind the wheel.
The suspension of GLA has underlying firmness but it’s not too stiff to cause any discomfort while crossing bumpy sections of the road. This firmness does help GLA to remain glued to the road at highway speeds. It flattens up the rough patches of the tarmac with ease and at high speeds, GLA further maturely handles all the undulations. Brakes are strong enough as well.
Mercedes Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC costs around Rs 56.1 L (On Road Delhi). We have discussed some basic features which it misses out on but GLA easy has the most luxurious cabin, quite long equipment kit and fantastic ride quality.
| Cars | Price (Ex Showroom) |
| Mercedes Benz GLA | Rs 44 L – Rs 48.1 L |
| BMW X1 | Rs 39.5 L – Rs 43.5 L |
| Volvo XC40 | Rs 43.25 L |
| Mini Countryman | Rs 41 L – Rs 44.9 L |