Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG tested - is this 355bhp crossover worth £44k?

Subscribe to the channel now: smarturl.it/aut...
Steve Sutcliffe drives the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG. With 355bhp from its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine it's certainly powerful, but is it worth £44,595? And is it as good as the stunning A45 AMG hatchback?
Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.
Visit www.autocar.co.uk for the latest news, reviews and analysis
New videos are uploaded to Autocar's KZbin channel each week. Don't miss a single one. Subscribe to the channel now: smarturl.it/aut...
/ autocar
LIKE Autocar on Facebook: www.autocar.co....
FOLLOW Autocar on Twitter: / autocar
+1 Autocar on Google+: plus.google.co...

[@PudWud1]

I think the GLA looks nicer than the A class.

[@allanm8555]

I agree

[@derbigpr500]

I actually think the GLA looks better than the A class, minus that spolier in the rear. It just looks more balanced and aggressive, whereas the A class looks a bit fat and not properly poportioned, it's as if its too tall and too narrow, and has wheels are a bit too small...and the front overhang is massive.

[@cpotisch]

derbigpr500 That's what i've been trying to tell everyone! :D

[@tillwagner2984]

340 vs 421 litres boot space - I would not call 24% extra "tiny".

[@williamchick9312]

I think it's cool, 90% of A45 AMG with added practicality, off road capabilities + comfort. Don't see the problem really, I'd buy one

[@mnordman2007]

He says he can't understand why somebody would buy the GLA45 instead of the A45 hatch. Simple answer, they live in America and the A class hatch frustratingly isn't an option.

[@matthewwakefield9058]

Also, I'm tired of scraping the front

[@deepakdamaify]

is this guy serious ?!?! does he know what he's on about?

[@TheJusticeCross]

Sorry but seriously, it looks very very good, like a legal WRC car, and the back is better than the A45 to me.

[@leftsurface007]

I live on a farm just south of Calgary, Alberta, and as we do not have the option for the A45, this Mini SUV makes perfect sense to me and my situation, so much so I've bought one and sold my Ford Raptor which was a 6.2ltr V8 gas guzzler, great truck very fast and well finished, but the fuel savings I am experiencing are phenomenal. The GLA45 suits my needs as I am sure it will with a lot of people in North America where the A45 is not an option.

[@juukame]

Seeing that thing go through the woods, it actually looks like it belongs on a rally circuit.

[@TheStallion234]

I think it looks better than an A45. But to me, I just like the extra versatility. If I bought one of these, I'd have a separate set of wheels and snow tires for the winter months, throw a ski rack on top, and would take it for weekends to the mountains. Then in the summer, throw the 20s and road tires back on and you have a fun warm weather vehicle. It's not so black and white as "its a little bigger and can go through a puddle"

[@evoermine]

Have to disagree on the looks front. It's much more interesting than the A45 AMG in my opinion. They just seem so plain. Nice shape but nothing special. This GLA shape is nicer. Each to their own though.

[@Worldsupercars]

The glass roof isn't reserved to the GLA... My A45 AMG has it.

[@uksharif]

Boot may only be slightly bigger, but the opening is literally twice the size. For a young family who want to throw a pram in the back (or anyone looking for any practicality whatsoever), it is superior. Nicer to sit in the back, too.

[@RedneckNinja]

I actually want the GLA45 AMG. I've driven the base model of both the GLA250 and CLA250 over here in the 'States, and I loved the hell out of both.

[@MrJPablo10]

I bought this over the A-class >:D

[@fahrvergnuugen]

Why would anyone buy a GLA AMG? I'll tell you why... because YOU CAN'T BUY AN A45AMG in the USA!

[@Ripcode2233891]

Funnily enough, the only reason dealers in Asia seem to be importing it is because it can be technically classed as a "SUV". This apparently means higher resale value. So yeah, that's the only actual reason for most people.

[@jeffgoldenfry]

Who would buy one of these over an A45 AMG? I don't know, maybe someone in America where the A45 isn't offered.

[@frankzhang9160]

To be fair, in North America we don't have a A45 AMG, so the only option is just to view the GLA45 as a slightly enlarged A45 AMG

[@MrFatalus]

340lt vs 420lt is ca 25% difference which goes up to ca 34% if you have the back seats in upright position (480lt). I would not call this MINOR difference in boot size. Plus the much bigger opening. As far as the looks are concernced each to his own, I personally Think it looks much more interesting than the A45 that looks extremely usual car

[@jackgillick1787]

The people who would buy one are those of us in North America who are given the middle finger by Germany year after year when it comes to hot hatches (rs3, a45 amg, M135, etc.)

[@Night_Diver81]

Depending on where you are in the world this car can make perfect sense. For Example, I live in the San Francisco bay area, and many roads here are only slightly paved at best. Huge pot holes, extreme curbs and driveways. Also because its "MerRica" many people tend to buy the biggest truck like monstrosities they can find.... this sitting a little higher gives a huge safety advantage in size compatibility.

[@perfectpopnoise]

20" wheels make it unusable in the environment you're describing

[@natmandc5]

also because you live in SF you cannot get an A45 anyways so your left with this as the only "hot hatch" ish option lol

[@AnyTechReviews]

I personally really like this car. Even though it makes no sense.

[@purilehumour3359]

'Who would want one?' People like me in Sweden, where it snows 6 months of the year and 40mm of ride height might let you see that moose hiding in the ditch before you hit it.

[@noellow1190]

I can see this working pretty well as a rally car :)

[@dernsville9213]

I bought the GLA over the a45 for one simple reason, I've had 7 years in a BMW m3 babying it over every speed bump and scraping out of every single slightly tricky driveway. Bloody sick of it. The gla45 rules the urban jungle

[@jeffstryker1454]

I test drove both the A45 and the GLA 45 AMG and I found getting into the GLA easier because of its height and being a big guy I would choose it over the A45.

[@fabioiurilli1327]

Marketing. You're doing it right.

[@PerformanceY]

U call that "offroad"? My Yamaha R1 can go there no problem

[@jaybou007]

I'm one of those who really digs the look of this car, minus the gigantic spoiler. Drove it: wow. This car is awesome.

[@pl2514]

Awesome car....the extra space over the A45 is welcome and its better over bumpy roads which are found everywhere!

[@shahulhusman]

Looks awesome in person.... we don't get a45 in USA

[@andyp8464]

yeah the boot space is around 340 litres on the a class and 480 on the gla. it's 40 percent bigger !! and the gla has softer more comfortable suspensions and is more roomy. gla is more family orientated and a lot more practical than the A class. granted it's not a classic SUV but as a compact crossover , it has its own niche . I'd choose a gla over an a class personally

[@MandeepPanesarkenya]

only with a special option to increase boot space. rear seats are made more upright as a result. it comes with 420 litrea as standard ...

[@mikehawk120]

Here stateside,Mathis is what all we got,Mon A44. We have a 9yo and this is perfect for three of us.

[@sabrownell]

I look at it like a factory rally car and then it's quite compelling.

[@staffreestacy8921]

GLA45 more rally like 😎🤘

[@jackworm7469]

Why buy one? Because you want an A45 AMG but you have two older kids one of which is likely to be 6ft 2 like the driver. Simple reason but very important

[@drumflip1253]

I have one and love it. The A45 is not available in the US so this is the hottest hatch available.

[@quadturbo4]

There has never ever been snow in Britain, I understand. In countries where there is snow half the year, the little bit of extra ground clearance comes in surprisingly handy. It can be be the difference between a car that you store in a barn between October and April and one that you can enjoy all year round. So no need to be baffled anymore, Steve.

[@Ragernaut0718]

in Canada we don't have the A 45, so I bought the GLA 45. I love the car to death and it sounds amazing for what you get.

[@mossab3673]

+Ragernaut i am thinking about this car too, please describe more what you really like about it.

[@zenekbombalina4360]

+Ragernaut And to be honest the GLA looks much better than the A-class.

[@Panthers1521]

Make an owner review video. I really want to hear more.

[@redness2323]

Mr. Car journalist a little confused here. He needs a holiday. Would be plenty of people who would want a car like this. Coming from an Australian perspective - people who live on farms, in the country etc etc. Something akin to the Subaru outback. Very good vehicle for such matters. Mild off-roading. Not every car needs to be an extreme off roader or extreme track weapon. Lots of reasons people would go one of these. Open the mind and yee shall discover answers to your hard pressed questions.

[@cadenguyen463]

I live in Australia...and the car is for the most part, useless. You think Australian farmers are going to be driving around the dirt roads in a brand new Mercedes GLA. I'm guessing you don't have a marketing degree

[@redness2323]

Cade Nguyen I do agree .... Get a Porsche any day over this.....

[@XxAWSOMExXLAMBOXxRS]

Cade Nguyen yeah landcruisers and patrols are far more practical in australia than this confused niche car.

[@arows66]

I think it looks better than the A45, like a rally car! Plus if you live in Welsh lanes like me that extra ground clearance would be welcome so you don't smash your sump after tractors have destroyed it again

[@CaptainOveur69]

my old girl saw one and liked it, she is 61 and i thought its the perfect car for her and me to drive occasionally haha. so she got a facelift 381bhp model :)

[@AI-xe5jr]

The problem is that they sell different versions for different countries, I'm in America and I can only get the GLA, not the A. Car regulations over here fuck shit up. So they took the A45 added a GL in fornt of it, added more height and sold it to America as a crossover.

[@zasagt4]

goodbye Drive, hello Autocar!

[@trlalli92]

Americans would buy one because there is no A45 for the US market, and the CLA is useless if you need to put friends or anything in it.Thank you Mercedes. Good review!

[@manomega1]

Synonyms of the the word "really" : without a doubt, absolutely actually, certainly, easily, genuinely, honestly, indeed, legitimately, literally, surely, truly, undoubtedly, unquestionably, well admittedly, as a matter of fact, assuredly, authentically, beyond doubt, categorically, de facto, for real, in actuality, in effect, in fact, in point of fact, in reality, indubitably, no ifs ands or buts, nothing else but, of course, positively, precisely, unmistakably, verily. Please start using more words in your vocabulary. May I remind you are supposed to be a journalist. You speak for a living..

[@milujemvejku]

today i was driving it on snow and it was worth every penny.

[@technick7986]

I love it, the front of an A class and a better rear

[@GNaj617]

We don't get the A45 in America, so there! I'd have one of these in a heartbeat!

[@david2996]

Mercedes-Benz, please bring the A45 to the states!

[@munirshafi2647]

I would buy it because I'm 53 years old and would probably look well out of place in the A45, compared to this.

[@sssssneaker]

For that money, get an Alfa Giulietta QV and a Dacia Duster dCI 4x4 if you need to go off roading once in a while.

[@rockinchimp]

No point in crossover vehicles, they aren't good enough off road to justify it and they aren't good enough on road to justify it either.

[@jakubbanasiewicz651]

rockinchimp What if you need occasionally to go for a mild off road, but you want good handling on road? It won't be handling as good as the A class, but will still be fun to drive, and will get you, where A class can't. Same comparing this to the Jeep GC, if you need higher off road capabilities, you'll buy i.e. JGC, however if you go for a mild off road, why not having a better handling car?

[@jburi01]

You know who's going to buy this vehicle? The U.S market that prefers SUVs/crossovers over hatchbacks and also does not get the A45 AMG, just the CLA45 AMG.

[@hanst7218]

Why buy one instead of an a45 AMG? It looks better, it looks like an a45 AMG on steroids.

[@jaysizzlecity2]

My favorite for 2014. This car must be sold in the USA.

[@Javonn143_]

It is going to be sold in the US...

[@jackassrower]

I can imagine that ppl driving around NYC or New Jersey and the horrible horrible horrible quality roads there would buy this instead of a CLA45 AMG.

[@tattoodfreeek]

Its a good looking car, and im sure the 0-60 difference between this and the A45 could but tuned out with a racechip

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

I'm quite surprised they even sell this in Europe, because let's face it, this car is designed primarily for the American market. You can't even get the CLA here in hatchback form. Why? Because most Americans would rather roll naked across broken glass than drive a hatchback. But doll up that same hatchback to look like a poseur SUV and we'll trample each other as we stampede to the dealership to hand them a check. Besides, here in the Snow Belt we'll take every bit of extra ground clearance we can get in our AWD vehicles.

[@jamesj97370]

Christ Mercedes have out the whole alphabet on the back of this thing lol

[@jdavidblais]

i live in canada and the a45 is not avalaible...so i have a GLA45 and beleive me, in the snow it work well...i love my car :P

[@DeadFishies]

The GLA 45 AMG, seems to look pretty great when the A45 isn't fucking sold in the USA.

[@djcornell87]

I like the styling of it...

[@gtmaster3031]

The people that would buy this over the A45 are the ones that can't have the A45. Like USA for example

[@TheNuno190]

i just think this is mercedes letting AMG play with their models a tad too much,they need to calm down a little bit

[@liamgell]

I third that

[@lolzorsPwnage]

I fourth that it makes the amg badge seem less special

[@julienjjj]

***** But hey, thew now offer S-AMG models so you can feel less mainstream. I was wondering the other day, is there actually a merc that does not come with amg wheels ? At my local dealer everything on the lot had the 5 or 6 spoke "amg" wheels LOL. Talk about brand dilution.

[@bobanppvc]

AMG is about sport jerk,if someone dont like it he will buy non amg version

[@andrewragsdale3567]

julienjjj You're ripping on Benz for merely having optional AMG wheels? How about the BMW M Sport models (M badges everywhere), or the M235i, which has more M badges than an M3 or an M5. That's brand dilution. The new AMG Sport cars? No AMG badges. Just 2 tiny "AMG Sport" badges on the front fenders.

[@cremefraicheeee]

I feel like if he was praising this car the majority of the viewers and future commenters wouldn't have so much hate towards it.

[@tan9640]

Merc have gone slightly off imo the nee c class looks terrible the gla wth etc

[@ryanm2707]

Funny enough it fits my needs perfectly. It's reasonably priced used now. It also needs to fill 2 roles, the daily for my wife who wants a Hatch but with better ground clearance and a weekend car for me which daily a 7 seater suv.

[@bobbob6559]

I saw one of these on the road at the weekend. what a Munter of a car.

[@robinmarples5198]

This thing is the new sub wrx sti. The prob is that people will enjoy it at 30 m/h in town, a roads and suburbs.

[@julienjjj]

Seems pretty pointless to buy an suv for the higher ground clearance and then fit it with a 4,500$+ carbon fiber front air dam that's going to scrape on obstacles.

[@Whatever___XYZ918]

don't get who this (And the A class) are called "45" when they are only 2.0 litre.

[@Whatever___XYZ918]

how

[@guilhermesousa7240]

dcryan77 next C63 will get a 4.0L and will still be called C63. Now the 45 could be because of the 450 Nm of torque or the 4 cilynder engine, not sure.

[@adilakram67]

***** pretty embarrassing when this 2 litre smokes most things off the line

[@mak450]

The world may never know. I asked a similar question a while back and was told it was because, in a nutshell, people buying the cars don't want to feel like they're downgrading because the number on the badge is smaller. So Merc keeps the number the same even when the displacement shrinks.

[@nobaccos]

***** Audi yes

[@motormusique]

This is the tackiest car I have seen in years. That wing? That two tone? Baffles me too. Mercedes Benz once used to stand for class...and now it panders to the nouveau riche.

[@shahulhusman]

Wing is part of a package...

[@FireballB625]

that's how i saw it the fist time, but i'm beginning to actually like this idea. i have an orchard in the mountainside and i ruined the lip of my cossie 190 on the way up on one sunday. there's a long trip on twisting paved roads before the rough climb - it'd be a shame driving a toyota tacoma on such a premium stretch of road. i thought this would make some sense for a small crowd who fancy such mixed road trips, and including that wing. I don't know, for me it'd have sort of an added psychological security factor, especially on a higher car. is it supposed to be functional? i've felt the difference driving a winged M3 from one with a plain trunk - it's quite noticeable but i don't know, it might be the tires.

[@shahulhusman]

Yes it is functional. Part of the aero pkg with front canards. I love the car also.. fun and practical with premium feel

[@FireballB625]

it's twice the price here

[@gianhet]

The wing is part of the one edition package.. if you buy a regular gla45; there is no wing, and its not as tacky as this. As for Mercedes never doing this in a car, do you remember the 190e ??

[@Pandamasque]

That's not offroad. That's a puddle. There's a gen2 Mazda6 in my family that navigates a couple miles of roads worse than that several times a year to get to our country house... on standard 18 inch wheels and low-profile sporty summer Dunlops. The worst thing that happened: a small tree branch got stuck in the oil pan guard thing which was found and removed during a scheduled service. But most offroad vehicles never even see roads like these. The entire point of GLA45 is to appear big and frightening without actually having a large footprint. It's a "cute" (as in glam/bling) car that a shallow blonde with enormous nails would feel safe in without having to struggle as much parking it as she would with a GL or some kind of a gigantic Lexus. That's why you don't get it, Steve. You're not supposed to 'cause you're a car person and may even have taste!

[@craigjenkins2085]

You have strange eyes should have gone to spec savers, the GLA 45 full body kit is much better looking, try a black one. The A Class looks flat compared the GLA from the front looks like its going to eat the road.

[@danielkruger3716]

that is what makes it look so cool

[@hectorm.6736]

We don't get the a45 amg in the states (sadly). The closest thing is the cla 45 amg (a compact sedan version) or the gla 45 amg (which is essentially a bit lifted, bit heavier, and a bit longer than the a45).

[@hectorm.6736]

That would probably be the only reason why someone would buy the gla45 amg.

[@jezwez1481]

it's a rally car, couple of big spots on the front and roof rack with lights; handsome 😎😂😂

[@vse0]

well, since you apparently have perfect and non pot holed roads and no snow in the UK (unlike the midwest of the USA), this car makes less sense. IF you have pot holes, snow, ice, crappy roads and the like, this makes TON of sense. all the fun, with a bit more suspension travel and ground clearance without it being a truck. i'm a fan.

[@AGC828]

They 'd buy one if they lived in North America since the A45 isn't sold outside the UK and Germany? And unless you had both to compare...Interesting you get both. :)

[@MDCYF]

This is The new Mitsubishi Evolution Oh wait. It's a Mercedes?

[@garikaichuru160]

I dnt know how this can be called a car review. Its actually wasted minutes hearing someone moaning about a car

[@carsofmtl]

To answer the question of who would buy that over the A class? North America because the A class isnt for sale here.

[@kyleskirata13]

The US market has thus far never had the A class, making the GLA 45 the nearest and only alternative to it. Though if I recall correctly rumors were circulating around in late 2015 that Mercedes intended on releasing the updated A class in the US in late Q 2017-18...

[@VTECheart]

maybe it wouldn't be so silly if they went rallying with it, like the Mini Countryman

[@Highsierrasyndicate]

I have to get the GLA 45 because I can't get an A45 in the states

[@AShaw-bd4fy]

You could take any old hatch back through that "off road" course.

[@z28camaro79]

I really, really wish this would have looked more like the concept similarly to how the Lexus NX looks similar to it's concept counterpart. There's just not a big enough gap between this and the A45.

[@MrUltraworld]

That's $72k US. It costs about $62k here and that's too much.

[@speedyferrari]

in india that thing which you call off road is our normal road.

[@alexmontes5952]

WTF, I didn't even know this car existed.

[@syamkrishnanr90]

Going offroad in a car with a diffuser! Dont know what to say further :O Yeah its not offroad, its just unpaved path.

[@turonbe]

We don't have A45 AMG's in the states! We have to settle for 1 year waitlist for Macan. Aging Q3 and boring X1 styling. Evoque cost vs. Ecoboost engine performance features. What's left........ step up to bigger ML, Q5, X4? Hmmm.

[@smsuperman1219]

Stupid review. Why compare a hatchback to suv? They look alike but as said, they drive differently. They are different category of cars. No one compares the porsche macan to a45, so why compare Mercedes hatchback to their suv? And regardless of it looking alike to the hatchback, it still good looking compared to other crossovers.

[@Powaup]

Does it have more leg room in the back than the cla?

[@chicmureal7124]

NO

[@hanst7218]

Looks much nicer than an a45

[@mdizzle7034]

Who would buy one? A disabled person like myself who needs the extra height but still wants a fast car.

[@pieterventer3806]

Did he just say "off road"? Seriously, you could do that course in a rented Corsa. Please chaps, if a manufacturer calls a car a crossover or an SUV, try to go somewhere a Corsa couldn't before passing judgement.

[@tvanb]

We don't (unfortunately) get the A series in Canada or the United States, so that would be a reason this would sell, I assume !

[@cdon2day]

The A 45 is not available in North America, so a good deal of this review being spent on comparing them was a waste of time imo.

[@SwPiotrek]

My lowered Golf GTI will easily drive through this "off road".