By Otsile Kadiege

Ever since its launch in 2014, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has sold over a million units. Now in its second generation, the  GLA has finally landed on local shores. The new GLA is positioned as the sporty brother of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLB. The lifestyle-oriented SUV is ready to fight the BMW X2 and the Audi Q2.

Exterior and interior

Like its functional GLB brother, the GLA features a similar diamond pin grille with a single vertical slat and an AMG-Line package featuring a front and rear bumper with optional red accents. The new GLA is 10 cm taller than its predecessor. It offers a more spacious interior, more rear legroom, luggage capacity and improved all-round visibility.

As standard, the new GLA comes with two 7-inch display units followed by the optional 7 and 10.25-inch displays as well as two 10.25-inch displays running the touchscreen MBUX infotainment system. The interior is bigger and more functional thanks to rear backrest which can be split 40:20:40 and a height-adjustable load floor.

Powertrain

The new GLA range currently consists of the GLA 220d and GLA 200. Here is more information on the pairs powertrains:

Driving impressions

The new GLA is 4 cm wider than the previous generation. It has bigger wheel arches and the wider wheels diameter result in higher ground clearance which allowed us to drive it on an uneven surface on a open field. The new GLA also features a sophisticated 4-link rear axle. The GLA 200 has significant turbo lag when accelerating hard however the handling is good on the skid pan.

Pricing and availability

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA is currently available in SA. The GLA 220d is priced from R710 000 and the GLA 200 is priced from R674,000.