2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Price: 18997 USD
Rating: 4.3 (36 reviews)

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Strong power and sharp handling make it fun to drive
Respectable fuel economy considering its performance

Cons

Firm ride quality can grow tiresome on rough roads
Automatic transmission operates sluggishly in stop-and-go situations
Not much legroom, headroom or cargo room
Have to pay extra for a lot of expected luxury features

What's new

The AMG GLA 45 has been discontinued
Part of the first GLA generation introduced for 2015

Overview

The Mercedes-Benz GLA was one of the first subcompact luxury SUVs to arrive in America when it debuted for the 2015 model year. For 2020, it still has some appealing attributes, such as an attractive base price and pleasing performance. But there are also some significant drawbacks that you'll need to consider.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$171/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

First and foremost is the GLA's stiff ride quality that can be intrusive on rough pavement. It's jarring for any vehicle and is especially troubling for a Mercedes. The GLA is also a bit tricky to drive in traffic; the engine can be slow and inconsistent to respond when you want to accelerate. Then there's the GLA's interior, which isn't particularly luxurious or roomy.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Mercedes will likely introduce an all-new GLA in the next year or two, and we expect it to be significantly improved. But if you can't wait, we recommend checking out some rival SUVs that are newer and more appealing overall such as the BMW X1, the Mini Countryman and the Volvo XC40.

Which GLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

There's not a whole lot to decide upon other than which optional features to get. To make the most of the GLA's luxury badge, we suggest adding the Premium package to get heated front seats and blind-spot monitoring. The Multimedia package is also a worthwhile option because of its voice-controlled navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA is offered in two trim levels: GLA 250 and the all-wheel-drive GLA 250 4Matic.

Standard feature highlights include a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (208 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque), a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a power liftgate, a power-adjustable driver's seat and simulated leather upholstery. You also get an 8-inch central infotainment display and a six-speaker audio system.

Several option packages are available for the GLA 250. The Premium package bundles blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, and hands-free liftgate open and close. The Multimedia package includes a navigation system, voice controls and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are available in the Driver Assistance package, and a Parking Assistance package adds a surround-view camera and a self-parking system. Notable stand-alone options include a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#4 out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class from 2008-2022.}

$544/yr

vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.72x/yr

vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

6.1%

vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

5 (61%)

4 (22%)

3 (6%)

2 (8%)

1 (3%)

4.3

36 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 36 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love the Lowrider

jbrooks, 07/03/2018

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Updated Jan 2020 - After 18 months, like this car better than when we purchased it. Would prefer more headroom (believe a sunroof, which we don't have, provides more). Needs an interior lock/unlock key on passenger side. Long trips - i.e. RTP NC to Pittsburgh round trip - firm ride but comfortable and when you arrive after 9 hours on the road, you are NOT beaten up - very …

Smooth ride with lots to offer

Pleased owner, 05/25/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Didn't know exactly all that I was getting in purchasing the 2019, but I'm indeed happy with my GLA 250! Aside from the comfortable interior and technology at my fingertips - the ride is smooth and on point! I can easily fit friends in it comfortably for a quick getaway or enjoy my solo ride listening to whatever I like on the radio. It's roomy with enough cargo space to accomodate …

Excellent Drive, but Very Expensive Maintenance

Tycoop , 02/19/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I’ll begin by admitting I have a strong personal affinity for the way German engineered cars perform and drive. BMWs and Mercedes have long been my favorite cars. I’ve racked up 90,000 miles on the 2020 GLA 4Matic, and can sum up the car with the following statement: When the car is working properly, it’s a strong, sporty driving experience…but it’s a high-maintence car which requires … expensive upkeep. Juxtapose this car with a similarly priced Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, Honda CRV, or Subaru Outback: They aren’t on the same level as the GLA when it comes to handling, driving experience, or overall performance. But Japanese small crossovers are extremely reliable and almost never suffer expensive malfunctions in the first 100,000 miles. Mercedes, unfortunately, aren’t as reliable in my experience. In other words…the Japanese cars don’t break. Mercedes do break. The car experienced a severe problem with the powertrain at 70,000 miles, requiring a several thousand dollar repair. The standard warranty ends at 50,000 miles. The car also requires transmission fluid service at 70,000 miles, which cost $1,000. The car has a nice 7 speed electronic transmission. But it’s not so nice that it justifies that kind of maintenance cost. Like I said, the driving experience of this car is excellent. The suspension is nicely tuned for a comfortable, yet sporty drive…similar to BMW 3 series handling characteristics. Steering control and feedback is responsive and tight, handling is sharp, and acceleration is strong throughout the RPM range. It doesn’t drive like a typical front-wheel drive car (the 4Matic system doesn’t engage the rear wheels until the front wheels slip). There’s no “yanking” of the front wheels when accelerating hard through turns, and the rear of the car doesn’t slop around if you take corners aggressively. Very nicely balanced. The dash and instrument cluster are dated and functionally obsolete. For example; the climate control system is located at the bottom of the dash. It’s difficult to mess with the climate control without taking your eyes off the road. Poor ergonomic setup in that regard. The car also has a full phone keypad on the dash. That was a nice tech idea back in 2003…but it’s been obsolete since the advent of Bluetooth and CarPlay. The heated seats work perfectly, as do the electric seat adjustments. The small video screen above the dash is easy to see and navigate with the control wheel. CarPlay works flawlessly. Options are expensive. The aforementioned similarly-priced Japanese cars offer more options in the same price range. But, they aren’t as much fun to drive, especially on the highway. This car was designed to perform beautifully at highway speeds. It can safely cruise at 85mph all day and night, and do it with ease. The small turbo 4 cylinder engine doesn’t have much punch over 75 mph. But it provides smooth and consistent acceleration in city driving. If you’re seeking an SUV large enough for a family, the GLA is probably too small. It seats four comfortably, but there’s not much space for luggage behind the rear seats for more than two people. If you want a small crossover with a sporty driving experience, you won’t find a better automobile for the price. Just be prepared for high-maintenance costs after the warranty expires.

In Love with an Inanimate Object!

JenintheDesert, 06/06/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Had it a month and it's a pleasure to drive every time I go out. Easy to use infotainment system and dashboard controls, decent gas mileage, SOOOO fast, corners like a dream, and has some wonderful features that I'm still discovering. Only cons are lack of storage space, headroom due to panoramic sunroof, and blind spots galore. If you can't turn your head to look to the side or …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLA-Class since its last redesign.

See all 36 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

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2020 GLA-Class Highlights

Trim:

GLA 250

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$34,250
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$171/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the GLA-Class models:

Active Brake Assist: Uses radar to detect vehicles and objects ahead and applies automated braking if necessary.
Distance Pilot Distronic: Maintains a set distance from the car ahead of you when the cruise control is set on the highway.
Lane Keeping Assist: Monitors road markings and helps detect unintended lane drifting. Alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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.}

Which GLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love the Lowrider

Smooth ride with lots to offer

Excellent Drive, but Very Expensive Maintenance

In Love with an Inanimate Object!

2020 GLA-Class Highlights

Safety

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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.

Which GLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love the Lowrider

Smooth ride with lots to offer

Excellent Drive, but Very Expensive Maintenance

In Love with an Inanimate Object!

2020 GLA-Class Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Hyundai

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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.}