Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-Benz GLA review - not just a ramped up A-class - Design

Merc's GLA is a mildly SUV-like take on the A-class.

Evo rating
RRP
from £25,260
  • Comfortable, spacious, well-made, looks interesting
  • Limited manual options, none-too generous specification

Design

The Mercedes GLA barely looks like an SUV at all such is its wide and low design, though when the car is finished in a darker hue, the contrasting silver-painted sections front and rear, plus the roof rails, do distance it from the Mercedes A-class it clearly shares so much with. Not all will like the stylistic swage lines along the sides or the bulges in the bonnet, but it's certainly a smart looking premium SUV and its large tri-pointed star grille badge will appeal to the image and status conscious.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It looks even better in AMG Line specification and with the optional panoramic sliding roof. Remarkably, the GLA 45 AMG can be personalised to look no more attention grabbing than a mildly specified regular model, though the options list has plenty to tempt the extrovert too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR Yaris
Long term tests

Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k

As the mystery of the GR’s true fuel tank capacity is solved, a new enigma emerges
27 Jan 2026
Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here
Caterham Project V
News

Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here

Caterham’s new age electric coupe is now officially behind schedule, but the first running prototype has now been unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon
13 Jan 2026
Cupra Leon VZ review – is this now the best hot hatch you can buy?
Cupra Leon VZ
Reviews

Cupra Leon VZ review – is this now the best hot hatch you can buy?

The choice of full-sized front-drive hot hatches now doesn’t include the Civic Type R. Can the Cupra Leon VZ take the top spot?
26 Jan 2026