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

Why you've probably been driving the Audi TT RS wrong this whole time
Audi TT RS fast fleet front
Long term tests

Why you've probably been driving the Audi TT RS wrong this whole time

My Audi TT RS coupe reveals its strong suit on a most unlikely road
22 Apr 2026
I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me
Civic Type R interior
Opinion

I fell in love with the Honda Civic Type R, until it started fighting me

Porter can tolerate the tsunami of active safety features, but not their inaccuracy
23 Apr 2026
Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car
Toyota GT86
In-depth reviews

Toyota GT86 review (2012 - 2021) – a flawed but fun and affordable Japanese sports car

Toyota’s small sports car wasn’t perfect but still offers genuine driving fun of an increasingly rare flavour
20 Apr 2026