We last drove the Mercedes AMG GLA 35 in 2020, and recently it underwent a facelift. This re-shaped the usual external stuff, lights and bumpers, but the outline is unchanged. New are metallic paint, an opening panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with position memory, keyless go, adaptive cruise with stop and go, a 360-degree camera and dual-zone air with rear centre vents. Count also on a Burmester Surround Sound system, head-up display, AMG night package (black detailing), an AMG grille, and a driver assistance package.
So cue a price rise. Where before the RRP was around the $100k mark, it now kicks off at just over $112k. However, most of the extra gear used to be part of some cost-option packages. So Mercedes decided to make them part and parcel of the 35 whether you wanted them or not. Maybe most did. Whatever, there’s only the single option package now (aero kit for $3500). Or you could opt to buy the GLA 250 instead at $94,900. With 165kW and 350Nm, it still performs well, only there’s no AMG badging.
Powering the entry-level AMG GLA 35 is the same electrified powertrain as before. A 48V belt-starter generator supplements the 2.0-litre IL4 turbo-petrol, for power of 225kW and 400Nm. The electrified aspect doesn’t add a whole lot of grunt, 10kW, but it makes for supreme starting smoothness and faster acceleration off the mark, the motor providing oomph while the turbo spools up. The eight-speed twin-clutch transmission also contributes to hesitation off the mark, as DCTs do. On slopes, it may run away momentarily if you don’t apply enough gas.
Get it all right in the rorty Sport+ mode when it sounds much more serious, and this will get to 100 in a tick over 5sec. This isn’t quite as quick as some of the others in its class like the X2 M35i.
The last time we drove this we mentioned road noise from the serious rubber this runs, ContiSportContact 6 (255/40ZR20s all round). And indeed on chip seal, it is still a bit rowdy. However, its 75.5dB average is better than last time around (78dB). Still, on chip seal the road rumble does interfere with regular conversation.
We drove this initially with three aboard, mainly on the hot mix of the northern expressway but also on regular secondary sealed roads thereafter. They used to be rubbish but are now in better condition. That’s because one of this government’s priorities – after giving its members tax relief – is pothole amelioration. Any new ones seem to get fixed pretty quickly. Frankly, if they did this and spent the billions allocated to roads of national significance instead on fixing health, education and buying new ferries, the country would be ‘back on track’ more quickly and the populace happier. Moreover, those new highways will involve tolls of national significance.
Anyhow, on our trip up north, the GLA 35 was consistently sipping fuel in the late sevens (claim 9.0). Cruising on average chip-sealed secondary roads, you really get no idea of what the 35 is ultimately capable of. On your own, in either of the Sport modes, this is a tearaway, cornering avidly without screaming blue murder. The rubber helps, as does the adaptive damping to keep the body roll in abeyance. And it steers with interest while brakes are up to the task. But the family probably won’t thank you for driving this way. Well, perhaps the kids might for a bit until they lose their lunch.
And mention of, room in the rear is more kid- than adult-friendly but then this is a compact SUV. At 4.44m in length, you’re not expecting commanding space. Similarly, the 435L of luggage capacity is par for its size. Split folding (1430L) is by pull ties at the base of the rear pews. Access to the hold is via a powered fifth door.
Running the show has never been that easy in the GLA with lots of dials and buttons. That said, there’s heaps of redundancy and most things you can also manage in the central screen. Mixing and matching engine and suspension settings is easy and you can save these in the Individual drive mode. Select it next time on the right side of the wheel.
Adaptive cruise and lane-keeping work in a way that seems to completely elude most Chinese New Energy firms. It’s simply done without fuss or bonging. On that, you can scarcely hear the indicators when activated so you need to keep a bit of an eye on those.
So all in all, not much change from before except there’s more gear and you pay an extra $10k for that. So it is really getting up there in price for a compact SUV. But then so is the X2 M35i, for similar power and money. I’d be just as tempted by the iX1 xDrive 30 for around $10k less. It has similar range and performance to the Merc but not the irritating road noise infiltrating the cabin. And the GLA 35 is starting to look dated, on both sides of the glasshouse.
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic
$112,200 / 9.0L/100km / 227g/km
0-100 km/h 5.05s
Engine 1991cc IL4 / DI / T
Max power 225kW@5800rpm
Max torque 400Nm@3000-4000rpm
Drivetrain 8-speed DCT / AWD
Weight (claimed) 1695kg
