2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Name: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Price Range: $26,991 - $44,590

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class AMG GLA 35 4dr SUV Exterior

+268

This second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA is a huge improvement over its rather compromised predecessor. It's comfortable and suitably refined for an entry-level SUV.

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AMG GLA 35 4dr SUV
MSRP: $35,998
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GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV
MSRP: $28,669
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GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV
MSRP: $31,995
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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

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
Exciting performance from the AMG GLA 45 model

Cons

Most of the GLA's advanced safety features are optional
Too much road noise for a luxury SUV
Cargo capacity is small compared to the Mercedes GLB
AMG GLA 45 ride quality may be too stiff for some buyers

What's new

Minor option package changes
AMG Night Package Plus debuts
Part of the second GLA generation introduced for 2021

Overview

So, you want a new SUV, you want a new Mercedes-Benz, and your budget is $40,000. You'd think finding such a thing would be impossible, but the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA has got your back. You can even get Mercedes' advanced gauge cluster display, larger central touchscreen, and a premium sound system if you're willing to spend a little more than 40 large.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$160/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Is the GLA really an SUV? Well, compared to the Mercedes A-Class on which it is based, it has fake skid plates and gray body cladding, adds an inch of ground clearance, and offers a taller driving position and more cargo space. Therefore, consider all of the SUV club membership boxes checked, and the available 4Matic all-wheel-drive system seals the deal.

If this sounds good to you, be sure to read our full rating of the GLA below. And if this diminutive Benz doesn't push your buttons (in a good way), there are alternatives. You could cross-shop it against the Audi Q3, BMW X2, Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. But among these rivals, only the BMW offers a performance-tuned variant that can match the AMG-tuned versions of the GLA.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The 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

This second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA is a huge improvement over its rather compromised predecessor. It's comfortable and suitably refined for an entry-level SUV.

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

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 simulated 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 allow 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-sized space in the rear too. Visibility out of the front and to the sides and rear is clear, which helps with safety and parking.

Technology

8/10

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 monitor 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 does a good job of holding a phone. It also serves as a wireless charging pad if you pick that option. 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.

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 (24 city/34 highway). We observed 31.2 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route that includes a fair amount of highway driving, 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 normally come in contact with them. It's a definite step up from the first-generation GLA.

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-sized 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 recommend the GLA 250 with or without 4Matic. Unless you simply like small SUVs because they're easy to park and good on gas, chances are you're trying to stick to a budget. So skip the AMG performance upgrades and spend any extra money on GLA 250 options. In addition to the Premium package's larger screens and keyless entry feature, we recommend the Driver Assistance package (which requires buying the Multimedia package). Even with all three of these packages, the price remains reasonable.

Compare 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class models

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA is a small crossover SUV available in GLA 250, AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45 trim levels. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is optional on the GLA 250 and standard on the performance-tuned AMG variants. Highlights from the standard equipment lists are as follows:

GLA 250
Our recommended trim level comes with:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
18-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights, foglights and taillights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Heated exterior mirrors
Power liftgate
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front sport seats with driver memory settings

The GLA also includes this technology:

Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with twin 7-inch displays
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Mercedes Me connected services including remote engine start (complimentary for one year, then a subscription is required)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

AMG GLA 35
Tuned for added performance, the AMG 35 includes:

More powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft)
Performance tuning for:

4Matic all-wheel-drive system
Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Adaptive suspension
Braking system
Exhaust system
Driving modes

Speed-sensing variable steering
19-inch AMG-style alloy wheels
Heated windshield washer system
Sport steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles
Ambient interior lighting
10.25-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens

AMG GLA 45
Further performance tuning gives the AMG GLA 45:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (382 hp, 354 lb-ft)
Enhanced 4Matic all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution

Mercedes-Benz offers several option packages for the GLA 250:

AMG Line package

Sport body styling
19-inch AMG alloy wheels
Sport steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters
Speed-sensing variable steering

Exterior Lighting package

Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Automatic high-beam headlights

Premium package

10.25-inch dual displays (gauge cluster and center screen)
Auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors
Hands-free liftgate
Hands-free keyless entry

Multimedia package

Navigation system
Augmented-reality video overlay for navigation display
Traffic sign reader

Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the GLA and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the GLA back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Active speed limit assist (obeys speed limits and slows for curves)

Parking Assistance package

Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the GLA and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Other notable stand-alone options for the GLA 250 include:

Panoramic sunroof
Leather upholstery
Multi-contour front seats
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Interior ambient lighting
Burmester premium audio system
Wireless charging pad

For the most part, similar options and packages are available for the AMG models. Additionally, you can get:

21-inch alloy wheels
Exclusive body styling
Performance steering wheels with driving mode controls
Performance-bolstered, heated multi-contour front seats
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

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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.}

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

27 reviews

5(81%)

4(3%)

3(3%)

2(6%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best kept secret in the automotive world

Paul Scarpelli, 11/14/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class AMG GLA 45 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

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 …

A big car in a small wrapper!

HPB (Colorado), 11/05/2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

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 …

Luxury Crosstrek at semi-luxury price

WhereHaveTheManualsGone?, 06/04/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

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...

Finally Found The Right Car for Me

What I Was Searching For, 01/18/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLA-Class since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

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2022 GLA-Class Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

GLA 250

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$36,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the GLA-Class models:

Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call service: Automatic collision notification system with an SOS emergency call button. Service is active for as long as you own the GLA.
Pre-Safe Sound: Standard feature that emits a special noise during a collision to protect your hearing during the impact.
Active Emergency Stop Assist: When using adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems, this feature detects an unresponsive driver and brings the GLA to a safe stop.

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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Price & Payment

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which GLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best kept secret in the automotive world

A big car in a small wrapper!

Luxury Crosstrek at semi-luxury price

Finally Found The Right Car for Me

2022 GLA-Class Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class GLA 250 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}