The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a comfortable and suitably refined entry-level luxury SUV. The AMG 35 version is pretty sporty too. But its small cargo area limits its usefulness as a utility vehicle.Read full review
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
GLA 250's smooth ride and comfortable seats
Features one of today's best, most advanced infotainment systems
Mercedes badge at an affordable price
Cons
Most of the GLA's advanced driver assist features are optional
Too much road noise for a luxury SUV
Cargo capacity is small compared to the Mercedes GLB
What's new
No major changes for 2025
Part of the second GLA generation for 2021
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the least expensive way to drive a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle. This small luxury SUV certainly looks the part, with an attractive exterior, premium-feeling interior and decent power. Luckily, its small size doesn't sacrifice comfort for its easy maneuverability around town. The GLA is available in two flavors: the standard GLA 250 and the performance-tuned AMG GLA 35. Both get power from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the GLA 250 putting out 221 horsepower and the AMG getting a more robust 302 hp.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
The GLA anchors the bottom of the Mercedes-Benz lineup in both size and price. That means if you want a new car with the Mercedes badge but don't have bucketloads of money to spend, the GLA is the way to go. On the inside, you can expect comfortable seats, luxurious features and an excellent, easy-to-use tech interface.
Competitors to consider
Alternatives to the GLA include other subcompact luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Cadillac XT4, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. Buyers might also want to check out the larger Mercedes-Benz GLB, which shares the same platform but offers more space. Read our test team's Expert Rating below for more information on GLA's pros and cons.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.9
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a comfortable and suitably refined entry-level luxury SUV. The AMG 35 version is pretty sporty too. But its small cargo area limits its usefulness as a utility vehicle.
How does the GLA-Class drive? The GLA 250, which is the model we tested, should be more than enough for the vast majority of drivers. Power is appropriate for the vehicle size, and it gets up to speed with ease. Our front-wheel-drive test vehicle needed 6.8 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is an average time for an extra-small luxury SUV.
The engine and transmission are mostly smooth, though you'll notice some engine vibration from the automatic engine stop-start system when it first fires up. The transmission can also be a little slow to engage when you mash the gas for a quick burst of speed.
Around turns, the GLA is stable and secure. Less impressive were the numbers during our panic-braking test, where the GLA 250 needed a long 138 feet to stop from 60 mph. That's longer than the braking distances of some full-size trucks we've tested. We suspect that's due to a lack of grip from the economy-biased tires rather than the brakes themselves. On the flip side, we found the brakes very smooth during everyday driving.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the GLA-Class? In close to base form, the GLA delivers a good amount of overall comfort. The MB-Tex synthetic leather breathes well on hot days, and the seats provide plenty of support and cushioning for longer drives. Short and tall drivers should find the front seats to their liking thanks to the generous adjustment range and extendable thigh supports. Multi-contour seats with heating and ventilation are available as options.
The ride quality is pretty good too, with no harshness over road imperfections. Undulations can cause some moderate jostling, but the suspension strikes a good balance of handling and comfort. On the downside, road noise is noticeable and sometimes intrusive on coarse road surfaces. The engine sounds labored under hard acceleration, but it is otherwise well muffled.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? The ride height and sensibly sized doors make it easy to get in and out of the GLA even in very tight spots. The wide adjustment ranges for the driver's seat allows you to select a more upright or reclined position with no compromise.
The primary controls are logically placed and easy to read. You control many of the secondary features with the infotainment screen, which doesn't take long to get acquainted with. The cabin is surprisingly spacious and airy considering the GLA's sleek profile. There's plenty of adult-size space in the rear too. Visibility out of the front and to the sides and rear is clear, which helps with safety and parking.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $4,433 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $4,433 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the AMG GLA 35 trim.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class pricing in Ashburn, VA
How’s the tech? The GLA gets high marks for its infotainment system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Mercedes' MBUX system is one of the easiest systems to use, with multiple control methods (touchscreen, trackpad, voice control and steering wheel thumb controllers). Voice commands are accurate but sometimes take a moment to process.
Disappointingly, the GLA is pretty light on standard advanced safety features. Only frontal collision mitigation and a blind-spot warning are included unless you spring for some costly option packages. That's a little surprising these days when a Kia or Toyota comes with a full suite of driver aids.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? Cargo capacity behind the rear seats is only 15.4 cubic feet, which is more in line with what we expect from a midsize sedan. It's accommodating but small compared to the cargo areas in some key rival SUVs. The low liftover height does make loading heavy objects easier.
Inside, there are moderately sized bins and pockets for your things. The cupholders feature some nifty spring-loaded tabs to better secure smaller beverages or personal items. A rubberized tray serves as a wireless charging pad and does a good job of holding your phone. Got small children? A rear-facing infant seat should fit without affecting front passenger space. The car seat tether and anchor points are easy to find too.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive GLA 250 at 28 mpg combined. We observed 31.2 mpg on our real-world evaluation route, indicating that the EPA's numbers are realistic. Overall, the GLA 250 is a little more fuel-efficient than rivals such as the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40.
Value
8/10
Is the GLA-Class a good value? The GLA's starting price is reasonable but doesn't include some features you'll probably want. Be prudent with your picks and your GLA should come in under $40K. The GLA is built just as solidly as any Mercedes-Benz, though there is more hard plastic inside. The good thing is those pieces are convincingly grained and aren't placed where we'd typically come in contact with them.
Warranty coverage is a fairly standard with four years/50,000 miles for bumper-to-bumper as well as the powertrain. Roadside assistance is covered for four years/50,000 miles, but Mercedes doesn't give you any complimentary maintenance like some other automakers do.
Wildcard
8/10
In many ways, the GLA looks and drives like a fun-size version of Mercedes' bigger GLC SUV, and that's a good thing. If you don't need the extra seating from the GLB or the extra space of a GLC, the GLA delivers a lot of luxury and tech for the money. While it's not particularly exciting to drive, it does what it needs to in regards to comfort and refinement.
Which GLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?
We think the GLA 250 is the way to go. The standard engine feels stronger than its horsepower numbers suggest, and excellent standard amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with the excellent MBUX infotainment system, heated seats, and 18-inch wheels all sweeten the deal. We also think it's worth investing in the Driver Assistance package, which adds vital safety and driver assistance technologies.
At age 74, I traded my ferocious '19 Z06 Corvette M7 even up for a loaded 2021 GLA 45 AMG. I immediately noticed the comfort and manners of the Mercedes, and decided I could live with a 12.6 1/4 mile instead of the 11.0 1/4 of said Corvette. Of the 17 new cars I've owned, this is the best. Comfort, sportiness, decent fuel economy, utility. And with Race Mode, it launches HARD. I had no … issues with the new car, and it hasn't had to go back to the dealer for anything. And no rattles! Solid as a bank vault. Despite getting absolutely no press, I consider this as close to a perfect vehicle as there is, when you consider utility, comfort, efficiency, size, and performance. Is it more expensive? Sure, but it isn't unreasonably so. Have I mentioned that I love it??
Mercedes somehow squeezed a big car into a small car! This tiny SUV is classified a subcompact, but I'm 6'1 and have plenty of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room front and back. It's high enough that it's easy to get into and out of and to see out of. It's built very solidly, has a peppy but full efficient engine, and 4-matic for Colorado mountains and weather. And the Burmester … sound system is just about the finest I've ever heard. The only negative is price, which rises quickly with options. Got mine for $47K and change with 4-matic, panoramic moonroof, premium package, and the Burmester. Feels a little high. But, hey, it's a Mercedes. And it feels like one, albeit in a small package.
UPDATE AFTER 6 MONTHS: Still very happy with this car - - manages the mountain roads over Loveland Pass in bad weather, comfy, fun to drive, enough room in the back for ski stuff or german shepherd (but not both). It was this or the GLB and having driven a GLB loaner (while my wife's GL was in for service) I made the right choice, driving dynamics of the GLB totally different - - more like a truck than the GLA which feels like a GTI on the road. My only wish? A 5 speed manual transmission option. Alas, the manual transmission is disappearing.
Much like another reviewer here, we had test driven both the Volvo XC40 and Mazda CX-30 Turbo. While they were both great cars in different ways, they both had major flaws. The Mazda had bland interior options which really only allowed for choosing seat and headliner colors, the infotainment system was frustrating and was only controllable via the dial-interface, the headroom and rear … passenger cabin is smaller than a Ford Focus's, the whole car's windows were tiny and hard to see out from. And for a $35k car, the cheap exterior black cladding was and odd choice. And the overall look of the car, in my opinion, is fairly bland. It genuinely looks like a Mazda 3 Turbo with a 3" lift kit. Still the interior looked and felt high-quality, and is a huge step up for Mazda in the CUV market
The XC40 was a complete mess. The tire-on-road noise was very poor, the infotainment screen seems to be a cheap knockoff of Tesla's, some interior parts are really nice and some were sourced from Fisher-Price, the door cubbies are lined with bargain-bin RV carpet material, and all of the infotainment controls are buried deep in the sub-menus of the annoying touch screen. Great looking and powerful SUV, but that's about it.
While the lower-tier 2021 GLA's lacks some of the features of these other two cars, the interior quality and design is far beyond what they offer. I understand some buyers loath touch-pad controlled infotainment systems, but the Merc's was fairly easy to use. Especially if you're an Android user, the mouse-style controls seem to mirror that of stock Android controls. But if you don't like it, the screen is easily reachable from the driver's seat, and is a touchscreen. The interior design is unique, but not entirely cohesive. I would say the Mazda's interior design is like a new/modern mountainside suburb, and the Merc's design is like those random housing communities near the coast in L.A. I like it, but to each his own. The seats are fairly firm, especially if you opt for the ventilated seats, but their design is fairly comfortable. The headroom will work for anybody under 7' tall, and mostly the same for the rear seats and rear legroom. The exterior looks like Mercedes took their GLC, and used a machine to shrink it by 30%, then added normal size wheels/tires. I personally think the car looks better with the standard 18" wheels than the Fast and Furious 20+ inch options, the base wheels make it look more like an SUV rather than a massive hatchback. It has fair power, and the 8-speet dual-clutch is great for shifting yourself, but can be sluggish in auto-mode in certain situations.
Yes, this is far more expensive than other small SUV's made in Asia, especially when you start adding options. If you are considering the 2021 GLA, I'd suggest sitting in and driving your other considerations, then go take the GLA for a spin. The GLA we purchased had an MSRP of $45k, but we were able to knock off around $3k through a common "SuperCostShopperMart" auto-purchasing program included in the membership. The other factor is the auto-industry's poor supply of inventory at the moment, and finding other high-demand small SUV's is either difficult, or equally expensive. It's a decent option, and the base-model GLA's are a decent middle-ground between the economy options, and the spec'd-up versions of the luxury models.
Reliability is a long-term question, and we're just not there yet...
I had been searching for an upscale small SUV for much of 2020. In early summer I researched and did 1-2 long test drives with a BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, Lincoln Corsair, and Mazda CX-5 and CX-30. At that time the all new 2021 Mercedes GLA was not yet in US showrooms.
None of the luxury brand vehicles available in early summer sold me for the price. The Volvo, Lincoln, and Audi were … all lovely inside and feature rich but lost me on the test drive. The BMW had the ride, handling, and powertrain I liked best (and the most straight forward infotainment and nav system to use when driving), but I couldn't find one equipped the way I wanted and was also concerned that that it was nearing the end of its model run and lacked some of the available features of the more recently redesigned competitor vehicles. The Mazda CX-5 was too big for what I wanted, but the Mazda CX-30 came closest to the feel of the BMW X1 at about 35% less MSRP so I bought one in July (you can see my review of it on this site). I had electrical system problems with it and was stranded three times, and was getting nowhere with the Mazda dealer who implied it was somehow my fault. I was frustrated and did not trust it, so I resumed a search in December that brought me to the GLA 250 4matic.
I have had the GLA 250 for about six weeks and absolutely love it. Zero issues or criticisms. The powertrain, steering, handling, and ride are exactly what I was looking for in a small, sporty, luxury SUV. I bought one pretty well loaded with most everything except the panoramic sunroof and AMG trim. Infotainment, navigation, and safety tech are all state of the art. The new MBUX interface is easy to use while in motion after a couple hours of study. While the Mazda CX-30 was good value and had a handsome interior, there is undoubtedly more content quality and features in the Mercedes GLA 250 that clearly differentiate the two.
The Mercedes dealer experience was probably the best of my life, and I am a senior and have purchased a lot of new cars in my years. I hands down would have bought the 2021 GLA 250 in July had they been available, and I am fortunate that I got a great trade value on my Mazda (only about 10% less than what I paid) that spurred me to proceed to flip it so soon.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLA-Class since its last redesign.
If you're in the market for a small luxury SUV with a premium interior, an attractive exterior and solid power that isn't too steeply priced, then the Mercedes-Benz GLA is worth checking out. The GLA is comfortable to drive and practical. Its size makes it easy to maneuver around town, and its mild hybrid powertrain produces enough power to satisfy most drivers. The GLA currently comes in the form of the base GLA 250 and the performance-tuned AMG GLA 35. Both are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with hybrid assist that generates 221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque and 302 hp, 295 lb-ft, respectively. The 2024 GLA received minor revisions, so we don't expect the 2025 model to arrive with any major updates.
Edmunds spotlight: Relatively affordable
The GLA is the smallest SUV offered by Mercedes-Benz, but it is a notable one. The GLA is a crossover that delivers more space than a sedan and ample power and practicality for a relatively affordable luxury-brand price. On the inside, you can expect comfortable seats, luxurious features and an excellent, easy-to-use tech suite. Unfortunately, many advanced safety features are optional extras on the GLA.
Competitors to consider
Alternatives to the GLA include other subcompact luxury SUVs like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Cadillac XT4, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. Buyers might also want to check out the larger Mercedes-Benz GLB, which shares the same platform but offers more space.
Edmunds says
The GLA is a great starter Mercedes. You get an SUV with premium features, suitable performance and brand cachet at a relatively affordable price.
FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 GLA-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 GLA-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 36 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the GLA-Class has 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class:
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the GLA-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the GLA-Class's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 GLA-Class and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 GLA-Class gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 36 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 GLA-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
The least-expensive 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $43,000.
Other versions include:
GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $43,000
GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $45,000
AMG GLA 35 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM) which starts at $58,050
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, the next question is, which GLA-Class model is right for you? GLA-Class variants include GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM), GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM), and AMG GLA 35 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8AM). For a full list of GLA-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more