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UK analysis of Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d 2020

What is it?
This is the replacement for a car that embodied the style-over-substance phenomenon of crossovers within the half of the 2010s.

When the Mercedes-Benz GLA landed on the scene in 2014, it wasn’t exactly mould-breaking. Here was a tall hatchback deemed different enough from its A-Class reference to warrant a replacement name in line with the brand's fully fledged SUVs. actually , though, it had been effectively an A-Class with a rugged styling pack and a touch more room between the wheels and arches.


by Lawrence Allan
18 June 2020
What is it?
This is the replacement for a car that embodied the style-over-substance phenomenon of crossovers within the half of the 2010s.

When the Mercedes-Benz GLA landed on the scene in 2014, it wasn’t exactly mould-breaking. Here was a tall hatchback deemed different enough from its A-Class reference to warrant a replacement name in line with the brand's fully fledged SUVs. actually , though, it had been effectively an A-Class with a rugged styling pack and a touch more room between the wheels and arches.


It was a billboard hit regardless. But at that point , the premium competition was either mediocre or notable for its absence. Jaguar, Lexus and Volvo weren’t really within the market then, while the primary Audi Q3 and BMW X1 are unlikely to be looked back on with wistful nostalgia in years to return .

This time around, however, there’s no room for a half-hearted effort. Those cynical bulked-up German hatchbacks are replaced by fully fledged small SUVs, while all three of the aforementioned no-show brands now have competitive entrants of their own. Mercedes has doubled its compact sector offerings in response, with the boxier, retro-inspired GLB muscling in alongside the more straight-laced GLA.

As before, the elemental mechanical relationship between A-Class and GLA may be a strong one. Both share an equivalent platform, technology and engines, including the range-topping 220d diesel we’re driving here
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