What seems to be the trend today? Smaller SUVs that closely resemble cars. These much smaller SUVs are closer in size to wagons than they are to their own lineup of SUVs that show up on the market. What makes them attractive to us is the fact we can more easily drive and park these SUVs than the larger ones. This makes a luxury compact crossover SUV one that is the most attractive to many buyers in the automotive world today. With that in mind, let’s explore why the GLA will make a great vehicle for you to drive.
The reason we love these SUVs that have taken on such a small stature is the fact they replace the wagons and minivans we used to need to drive. Larger ones are great for replacing the minivans and the smaller ones work well for replacing the wagons. For 2016 the GLA adds keyless starting, dual-zone climate control, Dynamic Select drive modes and an upgraded infotainment system. This makes for a new entry level luxury SUV that is perfect for driving and having the features you want to enjoy at your fingertips.
If you have never driven a GLA, now is the time to do so. This new model has a suspension that you will love to make use of and the steering system that feels like it should be in a sports car. This gives you a small SUV that is perfect for driving like a car as you toss it in and out of corners and make it the vehicle that is dynamic on any road for you. With Mercedes- Benz you know there is an AMG trim that gives you the most sport and performance you can find anywhere to be the best driving machine you have ever enjoyed.
A feature of the GLA that hasn’t been mentioned but certainly should be is the price. When you see the three point star you expect a high price, but the GLA250 will give you a price that is just below the $33,500 mark. Adding AWD costs an additional $2,000 giving you an affordable AWD vehicle. While this is highly affordable, the AMG model does ask for a nearly $50,000 price that can really be the best price you will find for a high powered sports machine that makes driving fun and exciting for you.
Luxury comes with features and the standard menu you will get from the GLA includes safety features such as collision prevention with autonomous braking, attention assistance, an off road mode with hill descent control, the suspension and steering systems of the 4Matic model, start-stop for the engine, keyless starting, a power liftgate along with several other features that make this one of the best entry level luxury SUVs on the market. If you don’t want to go to some of the higher trim levels you will enjoy the fact you still receive a great deal of cool features to enjoy on this vehicle.
What do you do if you want the AMG model but don’t have the budget for the higher price? You add the Sport Package to the base model and receive upgraded bodywork, 19-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, blind spot assistance, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, parking assistance and more. This allows you to enjoy the great looks and added features without stepping up to a higher power level with certainly costs much more.
Speaking of the power the GLA offers two engines for you to choose from and have the right powertrain for your driving. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine for the GLA250. This engine gives you 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque and is attached to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to be a fantastic powertrain. This setup gives you a fuel mileage of 25 city/35 hwy mpg for the FWD model and 24 city/32 hwy mpg in the AWD version. Although this doesn’t sound like a lot of power from under the hood the GLA is one that offers a great deal of performance to be enjoyed on the road to give you the fun driving you want to experience.
The more powerful engine is another 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that is found in the GLA45 AMG. This engine brings you 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque to allow you to have the ability to aggressively cut through the corners and have a fun drive. Using the same transmission you will have 22 city/29 hwy mpg of fuel mileage to be enjoyed on the road. Not only do you get an upgraded powertrain but also an improved sport suspension to ensure you are able to take on the others on the road who think they have a vehicle that can match up with the GLA for performance.
When you enter the GLA you will notice a beautifully laid out interior that offers more than one interior color to give you a great contrast to enjoy the ride. The controls are laid out perfectly and the look is upgraded to give you a finish that is smooth and enticing. The GLA is spacious enough to give you the right place to sit and enjoy the ride. Even though it’s a small, entry level luxury SUV the GLA offers more headroom for you to enjoy and have a much better seating position.
As for exterior looks, the GLA is one that has more character than most. This SUV has a gorgeous two-bar chrome grill and excellent LED headlights to be the look you want to see up front. For the hood and body you see several lines that make the GLA look fast and offer the attractive ride you will enjoy. The low angle from the hood to the roofline on back make for a fantastic arc that gives it the sporty appearance that you will want to enjoy. The GLA is an SUV that makes for a fantastic ride for you to enjoy on the road and have the perfect position to drive and ride from.
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