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

Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s
Cupra Leon
In-depth reviews

Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s

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?
25 Aug 2026
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa review – a yacht-inspired saloon for Ferrari-inspired money
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa
Reviews

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa review – a yacht-inspired saloon for Ferrari-inspired money

Many of the styling touches are in dubious taste, and the estimated £250k asking price for this special edition is faintly absurd, but any chance to r…
26 Aug 2026
Aston Martin Vantage ‘RS’ spied – Britain’s answer to the 911 GT3 inbound
Aston Martin Vantage 'RS'
News

Aston Martin Vantage ‘RS’ spied – Britain’s answer to the 911 GT3 inbound

Aston Martin’s most hardcore Vantage variant yet is inbound, with more power expected and a manual gearbox possible
26 Aug 2026