Mercedes-Benz GLA review - not just a ramped up A-class - Interior and tech
Merc's GLA is a mildly SUV-like take on the A-class.
Interior and Tech
One of the biggest plus points to the GLA - over its A-class and CLA-badged siblings - is interior space. It feels markedly more commodious inside despite the familiar switchgear and design. The sculpted dashboard is modern and good to touch, as are the bright silver metal-feel air vents. Crucially, even the leather steering wheel is a delight to hold.
Somewhat surprisingly, the GLA doesn't come with an elevated driving position. The seats are set quite low, which benefits headroom and your feeling of connectedness, but may not be what some want from their compact SUV. Nonetheless, the rear of the GLA will make passengers far happier than they would be in its sister cars thanks to larger glazing and a little more space. The boot is bigger too, swallowing 140 litres more than the A-class's - at 481 litres with the rear seats in use.
A snazzy looking tablet-like colour display screen mounted atop the dashboard is standard in the GLA, but it's not a touch-screen system, and indeed has a fairly rudimentary interface unless you shell out for Comand Online. DAB radio isn't standard either. Thankfully Mercedes hasn't skimped on the safety technology; Collision Prevention Assist and Traffic Sign Assist are included across the range and there are loads of other high-tech active safety options to choose from.
