Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S to cost up to £65,000 in the UK

Local pricing of the AMG GLA35 and 415bhp GLA45 S have been revealed

UK pricing for the new 415bhp Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S and its milder 302bhp GLA35 sibling have been revealed, topping the compact GLA SUV range. ‘Standard’ GLA45 models available in other markets will not be offered in the UK.

The top-level GLA45 S will cost from £58,755 in standard trim and £64,775 for the fully-loaded ‘Plus’ trim that bundles a range of optional extras together. Standard equipment includes 20-inch five-spoke wheels, LED headlights, a top-level MBUX infotainment system with the trademark twin 10.25-inch displays, and AMG Performance steering wheel and hard-backed bucket seats

Advertisement - Article continues below

> New Audi RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback arrive with 394bhp

For the additional £6000, the GLA45 S Plus swaps out the standard wheels and tyres for a set of 21-inch units, more complex Multibeam LED headlights, adaptive dampers, the exterior aero pack, an updated hi-fi, electric adjustment on the front seats and further active safety additions. This model might feature the most powerful four-cylinder engine in production, and be fully loaded, but there’s no escaping this top-level GLA’s near £65,000 price is perilously close to the £71,000 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and the £68,000 Porsche Macan Turbo – two far more powerful and substantial performance SUVs.

By contrast, the Audi RSQ3 is closer to the Merc in both size (it’s in fact still bigger) and power (394bhp), but costs only £50,455 in standard trim, rising to a maximum of £58,355 in its own fully loaded Vorsprung trim

As you might expect from a car with the world’s most powerful production four-cylinder engine, performance is brisk. The range-topping S covers the 0-62mph sprint in 4.3sec (a tenth sooner than the non-UK standard GLA45), with top speed coming at 167mph (155mph for the non-S) – that puts it two-tenths ahead of the RSQ3, though the Audi goes on to a higher 174mph top speed.

Setting it apart from the rest of the GLA range is an AMG-specific grille with Panamericana vertical slats, flared wheelarches, larger intakes, those 20- and 21-inch wheels, and a roof spoiler. A valve-controlled exhaust system, and four-pot 350mm front, single-piston 330mm rear brakes also come at no cost.

> 2019 Mercedes-AMG A45 S review - a new high water mark?

Power is sent to the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, where it’s distributed to the wheel that needs traction most for optimum performance.

The aforementioned GLA35 will also join the range later this summer, starting at a still chunky £43,565, with the more usual Premium and Premium Plus packaged variants costing from £46,065 and £50,000 respectively

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best performance SUVs 2025 – family-friendly supercars on stilts
Best SUVs 2025
Best cars

Best performance SUVs 2025 – family-friendly supercars on stilts

The best hot SUVs offer entertaining dynamic characters all of their own – even if we'd rather drive an equivalent fast estate...
23 Jun 2025
New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa
Defender Trophy Edition front
News

New Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy isn’t quite a half-price Octa

This rough and ready Defender calls back to this utilitarian icon’s rich off-road history
19 Jun 2025
Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?
Bentley Bentayga Speed – front
Reviews

Bentley Bentayga Speed 2025 review – should the Aston Martin DBX need to worry?

The Bentley Bentayga Speed no longer uses a W12 engine, in its place a retuned twin-turbo V8 and some clever dynamic hardware and software. Is it a ma…
16 Jun 2025
2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed targets Range Rover Sport SV and avoids hybrid power
2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed – front
News

2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed targets Range Rover Sport SV and avoids hybrid power

Powered by a V8 without any electrical augmentation, the 641bhp Bentayga Speed is claimed by Bentley to be the most dynamic yet
2 Jun 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Honda Civic Type R for £5k off – save 10 per cent on the ultimate hot hatch
Honda Civic Type R deal
News

Honda Civic Type R for £5k off – save 10 per cent on the ultimate hot hatch

The Civic Type R is not long for this world and there are deals to be had on Honda’s pricey but near-perfect hot hatch
26 Jun 2025
Frontline MGA Factory Edition review – a quaint classic with a modern heart
Frontline MGA Factory Edition
Reviews

Frontline MGA Factory Edition review – a quaint classic with a modern heart

The MGB restomod specialist turns its attention to the B’s pretty predecessor. The result is compelling
26 Jun 2025
Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?
Lotus factory
Opinion

Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?

Lotus’s latest troubles are grabbing headlines, but the writing’s been on the wall for some time.
28 Jun 2025