2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG - Review & Test Drive

[@hhhs001]

Congratulations on getting access to higher end cars! You deserve every bit of success that has come your way.

[@无情小鳄鱼]

I'm reading this in 2019 and this guy now has 2.46m followers holy cow

[@cla_exclusive7476]

Y6​@@无情小鳄鱼

[@swagger7]

Still a relevant video today. Just picked up a 2015.

[@joemiles8805]

What are they going for now?

[@juvibro9913]

Joe Miles 30

[@Freerider93]

How is it treating you now?

[@swagger7]

@@Freerider93 Upgraded to a GLC63S (2018, so, V8 goodness). 😀

[@Freerider93]

@@swagger7 nice!

[@Taliemanco]

I think this is the best review of a car I've ever seen! So detailed!

[@t1995roger10]

This "SUV" weighs less than the new Mustang. The more you know.

[@toocoded]

This is a proper review of the GLA 45. Way better than the others I've seen I attended the launch of it last year at the dealers here in Jamaica and must say, that car is a beast of a car.

[@FrankTheRabbit]

The smile on your face says it all! Nice review!

[@cghsand8906]

Thanks for this great video, which confirmed me in my decision to get an GLA45. Was not dissapointed! Great car.

[@t1995roger10]

How much hp do you think the red seatbelts add?

[@Chinesefoodrocks1521]

50 each.

[@wnbdriver]

Chinesefoodrocks1521 it all adds up: 50 each red seatbelt * 5 seatbelts, 30hp per front caliper, 20 per rear caliper + 5hp from that rear wing = 355

[@User_fr3256]

Do you know where I can get these parts for a IS 250? Asking for a friend

[@ianbernstein6827]

Good reviewer, honest, no gimmicks and not trying too hard.

[@musicloveranthony]

Love your channel. You do such good work. I started watching a couple years ago for your engineering explanation, and just recently started watching your reviews. I think you do a great job, so thank you. On this review, I can't possibly imagine spending $60k+ on this car when I could get an ATS-V for the same. The interior looks very late 1990s to me. Base price, sure very decent especially with that great engine. But fully loaded, not a chance. I love the engine noise, is it genuine in the interior or is it augmented?

[@EngineeringExplained]

+Anthony Levens Very happy to hear it! Regarding sound, I'm pretty sure Cadillac pumps in sound, a feature they call "Engine Sound Enhancement." So many are doing it these days unfortunately. Not sure on the Mercedes, but the crackles are legit. It has a violent exhaust - love it!

[@XplayPictures]

Absolutely love this car

[@GlennsCarCollection]

I had one as a daily driver, it was a blast. I posted a few long term reviews of it after 12 months, 18 months

[@critic3001]

A really good review and POV description - well done mate.

[@seb5945]

Do people still smoke? I do... My tyres. 8)

[@JustSomeGuy23]

BOOM!

[@Scuderia11052011]

you're definitely one of the best car presenters on youtube. I rarely see people pointing out bits and pieces under the bonnet, but you just did, that's awesome. I assumed your 4.5s/4.6s was probably due to a descending slope during acceleration, as mercedes claimed a 4.8s.

[@EngineeringExplained]

+Scuderia11052011 The slope does help, but there's also a slight amount of steering which draws it back. The 4.5 was actually on a flatter area (not the onramp), and Car and Driver managed 4.2 seconds in their testing. I think Mercedes was giving a conservative estimate.

[@goncaloveiga2605]

Congratulations for your videos. I saw all of them since nr 1. They are getting better. Best regards from Protugal.

[@tdc485]

Best review of the car I have watched yet. Great job and love your videos.

[@goncaloveiga2605]

Your driving skills are getting better!

[@nathanneudecker6516]

That section of road out by Vista House is one of my favorites in the area - perfect testing ground for this car!

[@reverentrebel]

Holy crap! awesome video and car, and apparently it's been awhile since I've checked in, because you are really pumping out the videos!! I've got some catching up to do!

[@joshehutch]

Red makes you go faster. Seatbelts are supposed to keep from going fast through the front of the car. I don't think red was the right choice for seatbelts.

[@2008tourer]

Ash tray is actually great place for other trash and shit. Mine is always full of empty gum packages or receipts from highway or a parking. ;)

[@Spankmachete]

I really enjoy your reviews! Greetins from italy

[@manjunathbs]

I love it when a techie goes the review.

[@shmoofgang]

Amen

[@hartifartblast]

Great overview, just got the 2016 with pretty much the same options and I love it!

[@GlennsCarCollection]

I bought one and it's an amazing all weather daily driver

[@cls63amgwagon34]

YES!!! I've been waiting for this one for sooooo long. I want to work for AMG SOOOOOOO BAD

[@bigguix]

that smile on the 0-60 ! gtood video ! hey i was wondering if you have been logging all the datas for all the cars you'Ve tested. It would be pretty amazing to get some basic online spreadsheet with your ratings on DB, handling, brakes, body roll, space, etc so we can compare one vehicule to another. tyvm !

[@EngineeringExplained]

***** Yes, I have a big spreadsheet with all the data. I provide access to it for my Patrons on Patreon. Link in the video description. :)

[@EmuGamesMaster]

Best review on youtube thanks a bunch 👍

[@jyoung188]

Another great review. Keep up the good work!

[@ebramful]

Well equipped car, it is. Good job Jason.

[@carterhurd1211]

Great review as always! Everyone seems to thing this car is ugly, but in person I thought it looked pretty great, if over-styled

[@eric_limitless]

Awesome video! Awesome review! Your good! I really like the car!

[@dhgoodall1]

You should do more car reviews. I’d definitely watch them!

[@findingnismoz]

awesome job. glad you are getting some of the "cooler" cars now :)

[@totszwai]

Nice review. But you should try to find a flat road for 0-60. Keep it up~

[@EngineeringExplained]

totszwai The 4.5 was done on a flatter area than the video shown (which did a 4.6). Fairly surprising.

[@noreworks]

Growing up with gran turismo i thought the limits of a stock 2liter engine is 280hp. So when this 2l from amg came up i sure need several weeks to let it sink in my head.

[@StrongTyer]

Great review. Looks like fun!

[@AngelManuelPerez]

Love your videos! Keep them up :D One question though. Does the transmission auto shift on "manual" or does it allow you for full control on the revs?

[@supercooled]

Do you need a mechanic with a PHD to do an oil change on this car?

[@glasser2819]

for the transmission ATF you do need a scanner to read ATF Temp. The fill bolt is also the drain bolt so it takes a pump to refill this gem

[@TheBadMadMan786]

I love your reviews man. Very detailed. Will you be getting to test the new Honda Civic Type R anytime soon? :)

[@travism8597]

that is the happiest mood I've ever seen you in.

[@giantenemyllama]

Great video as always! I missed the wheel off/look at suspension section though.

[@naperking]

Great review. I'm in Oregon also. Our drivers tend to move slower than the posted speed limit, and their heads are often in the clouds.

[@EngineeringExplained]

KingPNW And they have zero idea how to merge. You just drive till the lane ends, right? ARGH!

[@bryandoherty9399]

I wish they brought the lower version of this car, the A45 AMG to North America

[@bryandoherty9399]

***** it is a lower version of the car, and that's pretty much the only difference. This is the same car as the CLA, and the A class is the hatch back of that. The GLA is the raised up A class, minus some plastic cladding

[@JoJoJoker]

+Bryan Doherty that was my belief until further investigation. Learned the GLA has a larger body as well. It is more than some black cladding, unfortunately. Good news: rumor has it MB USA is bringing the A240 and A45 here after the success of the CLA/GLA. Hope so. The C & G don't interest me.

[@bryandoherty9399]

Joel deSanto i guess you have to see them next to each other to see the difference. Aside from the plastic cladding. Hopefully they do bring the A45, I'd love to have one

[@JoJoJoker]

Bryan Doherty it's obvious when side-by-side: wider and taller rear proportions. My hope was it is simply a raised A45; a suspension upgrade could remedy that. If they offer the A45 my order will be in for one in Cocoa Brown Metallic. If not, 997.2 C4S PDK it is!

[@bryandoherty9399]

Joel deSanto Yea I'm used to Subarus, and the Outback is just really a lifted Legacy wagon, which they don't sell in North America, but you really can just put legacy struts and control arms on the Outback and you have a legacy. The same with the XV Crostek, it's just an Impreza hatch with Forester struts and control arms. Because the Forester and Impreza are the same chassis

[@roodick85]

What a lil monster!! I think I may get one now 🥰🥰

[@meady200]

Nice! More rapid car reviews, please!

[@BaronVonPwn]

Oh god that engine noise. I want lol. Amg always feel special. The e63 I drove wasn't as powerful as the gt500 I drove . Buy it just felt faster .

[@damianotoole]

excellent review. will subscribe! would this be your choice out of this and RSQ3?

[@zee9276]

this is such a beautiful car.

[@anexiole]

hi there :) would love to see a video from you and your thoughts on the A45 AMG :)

[@Winstonsmith63s]

You may know this by now but the large coolant reservoir on the fender (the black one) is your regular one. The small white one on the engine is the intercooler one.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Javier Godoy Ahh, I had them mixed up then!

[@dreiz.]

Nice car! Wish Subaru would make a Turbo "STI" version of the Crosstrek to compete with this, but much cheaper.

[@goncaloveiga2605]

If price is not an issue, which one you prefer: A45AMG or Subaru STI? What about a comparison between both!

[@6spdkeg]

Trying to be apart of a community? STi. Anything else, AMG. But I did hear that Subaru is getting better about warranty claims for people that have damaged their cars on track. Not sure about AMG and track related failures.

[@hanst7218]

A45

[@kcwalkman]

Thanks Jason for another fantastic car review and I think that car is awesome because I could tell you were having fun driving it. Thanks again.

[@ANCD7_]

Hey Jason, great video. How would you compare the acceleration/pull feel against your STI considering similar specs (power/displacement/traction) obviously not taking transmission into account?

[@EngineeringExplained]

ANC Similar, little bit faster, better response. Both are geared pretty aggressively (especially in the lower gears) and so you get a large amount of wheel torque.

[@dodgehemi5045]

$66k , that is NEW c63 coupe sticker, the S option tuned makes Hellcat HP

[@brettoberry3586]

Still just as quick as the c63.

[@mattd1201]

Thanks Jason! Wondering how this compares to the new Golf R, and if I should wait to see the new Audi. 🤔

[@thomaslibonati]

Is it worth going from the 250 to the 45 on the used market. Was looking at a ‘15 250 model with 32k miles for $18k. To get the same year and mileage 45 model it’s going to be like $30k. I am 21 years old, my sweet spot for budget is $18k-$22k so I’d be stretching the budget a bit to get the 45. Is it worth it?

[@Freerider93]

Did you get it???

[@StayPuft80]

This is an amazing car

[@mattb-uk]

I have a 2017 GLA 45 “Yellow Night Edition” it’s awesome. Reminds me of a rally car. The thing goes like warm crap off a shovel. My only criticism is that in the uk there is only 1 type choice for the 20” rims (well that and the performance seats could be a little more forgiving)

[@PhilbyFavourites]

I’ve got the 2018 in the metallic grey (it has an MB name but for the life of me it escapes me). Interesting analogy you use: I refer to mine as the old Subaru Impreza rally car - “in a suit....”

[@DarkMan2555]

My initials are AMG :)

[@snowjammma]

OMG!

[@gerardomorales4959]

please do a toyota highlander 2015

[@jminaya90]

try to do next time the ram rebel

[@910Amey]

please review Land Rover Discovery 3 or 4. It is my favorite SUV

[@MachoChacho]

Awesome

[@saeedkobiakov8351]

Hello, Would know how to do a boost leak test on this car?i looked for a long time and no luck.Thanks an advance.

[@divdac]

Seems silly to have cup holders that would normally have a cup with liquid in it so close to all that technology... I wonder if it's IP66 rated

[@dbeckMSP]

is the aero actually functional? A lot of manufacturers these days are putting stuff on to make it better and not just look good, so has mercedes followed suit?

[@ascendantP]

I test drove this car last week and it was an amazing machine. My biggest complaint is the initial throttle response from stepping on the gas from a complete stop. I would have to depress the petal down at least 25% before getting any response from the car. I haven't seen any other car I've driven ever do that. To me, it's almost a safety issue since the throttle can be unpredictable if you're not used to the car. I was hoping you would address that in your review. However, that exhaust sound is pretty spectacular though, hard to divert your attention from that sound!

[@EngineeringExplained]

ascendantP Actually you're right now that you mention it. I was figuring it was due to the DCT, they wouldn't want to engage the clutch much unless you were going to be moving a decent speed.

[@ascendantP]

Engineering Explained After doing some research, the aftermarket seemed to provide a work around system to the throttle response issue called, "GLA 45 Throttle Response System". It modifies the signal from the petal to the ECU and also allows for more power than Mercedes conservative settings. The GLA forums says it solves a lot of issues with the throttle. Hope you can get your hands on a Porsche Macan, I think it's the only competitor to the GLA 45 in terms of price/performance/utility. I'm torn between purchasing these two. Keep up the good work on your car reviews. I always enjoy watching as your reviews are equally comprehensive as they are informative regarding the engineering details

[@swayingGrass]

When you said about ventilated disc brakes I realized that you did not review the brake, suspension, and tyres/wheels, youtube limiter? I also noticed that it has so I called "nail lock", is there any reason for that? Oh and can you do a review with the cheapest option? :v Btw, laughed really hard when you said "not American sized cup holder" and "red seat belts"!

[@jdavidblais]

Hi im owner of a GLA45 2017 and i experiment a lot of brake noise, did you experiment it either while your review ????...thx you.

[@MDCYF]

Race brakes makes noise No worries I had an C63 before Changed the brakes to carbon fibre for track and it screaming Looking at this review cuz I wanna get rid of my Civic :)

[@topepmc]

haha... Awesome car, good engine, good interior... better not to buy it because the cup holder isn't big enough xD keep doing this good reviews

[@HellzHonour]

Is this DCT transmission the same one in the CLA45? Because I have heard the CLA45's DCT isn't that great.

[@andrewfirth1497]

Yes it is, but has had a software update to make it better! All CLA are being updated now as they go in for services.

[@Daneo85]

does this have ambient lighting '

[@mach1_v1]

test the hyundai genesis 2015!

[@keithwenttothemoon]

You're from Oregon?!

[@dougdeboer3907]

Are they dive planes or canards? I thought dive planes were much more drastic aerodynamic pieces and canards were more subtle like on this car.

[@pacoflyer]

Now that these are $40,000 barely used would you buy one over an STI?

[@RummyAndKoch]

this^. I have the same question.

[@madtonesbr]

I think I would. Maybe not an STi as those are rough but if I was in the market for a new Golf R that would definitely be an alternative.

[@orangetd88]

Absolutely.

[@cashmoney1127]

Yes

[@Jets613]

Yes, Subarus are hot garbage

[@trevormacdougall9385]

Does the transmission blip the throttle on downshifts?

[@bradleyclark6970]

I recently drove in one of these... To me the transmission is much slower than a DSG or S-TRONIC.

[@rgfromkl3594]

Why should cables run from door switches to seat motor directly? will it not be run between switch to control module located elsewhere and from there to the seat motor?

[@supercooled]

How does it compare to your STI, Jason?

[@EngineeringExplained]

+supercooled Glad you asked! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJTLamOHhcqdhqs

[@slyke30zx]

Nice

[@MandeepPanesarkenya]

Very confusing car indeed. I've been looking at a good compact crossover as i'll soon have a little family. The vehicle had to be able to not be too long or wide (for city driving), but at the same time do 100 mile plus motorway journeys, have a 5 star safety rating, be comfortable, have decent boot capacity to be able to fit large pushchairs etc. So we are talking about a vehicle with a small footprint overall, but at the same time being spacious enough for a small family. Somehow the GLA ticked more boxes than the Hondas, Mitsubishis, Audi Q3 and BMW X1. SIze was the main consideration. seems like the overpriced GLA hatchback somehow won out, even though it is not a proper SUV which is what i was sort of looking for initially. Being smaller than proper crossovers like the BMW and audi, it just about won out (the GLA 250 is what i was looking at). But because i wanted a performance version (the GLA 45), the natural competitor was its own A class hatchback. The performance of the A-class was better but due to the increased boot space, much better comfort and overall looks, i much preferred the GLA (surprisingly). Even though i was stung by around £5k more for the base GLA vs the A class, i somehow justified the purchase. I have kitted out the vehicle with the premium package (HK sound, moon-roof), COMAND online and driver assistance package (distronic plus etc). I didnt pick any performance type options like the performance exhaust or limited slip suspensions. So what i've ended up with is a comfortable, compact vehicle, with crazy performance too and very nice kit. I've got it on a 3 year lease so at least the cost isnt totally prohibitive either. Now if width dimensions werent a consideration, i would have got a GLC 43 AMG coupe over this GLA 45 any day of the week as I think that one justifies its price more than the entry level GLA, and the GLC is slightly more of a proper SUV than the GLA which is a hot hatch.

[@natewallinger9270]

Does the multimedia package include a hotspot or not?

[@sebastiandembny2931]

A

[@lesher27]

Is it safe to say you are Mercedes fan now? Or at least an AMG fan? :)

[@emal1975]

You didn't mention any trouble with the dual clutch transmission. I have seen other reviews as in depth as yours stating that there is no turbo lag (as you do), but they have been disappointed with this car's ability to choose which gear to go into quickly when accelerating hard - Particularly, when it is "deciding" between 2nd or 3rd. Did you not experience that lag at all? Thanks.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Eric Leach Only if I was light on the throttle. If I had the brake hard or the throttle hard, I felt the logical gearshift (down for braking, up for accelerating) was quick.

[@emal1975]

Engineering Explained Gotcha....In other words, drive it hard! - Thanks for the review and comment, much appreciated.

[@WannabeGearHead]

Do you know roughly what the ground clearance is? Granted it's an SUV... do you think it would compete with the STI?

[@EngineeringExplained]

WannabeGearHead You'll enjoy this Friday's video. It's no SUV. :)

[@WannabeGearHead]

I thought you mentioned SUV when you were talking about weight on the video?? and Oh.. are you going to do a head to head with the STI?!

[@TheRyanmanVideos]

WannabeGearHead He's obviously not going to spoil it. lol. Possibly.

[@desirejames5417]

Is it keyless entry and go?

[@carnagefxmarketslayers7795]

I hate that the amg name clip is not on the steering wheel instead it says airbag.

[@Freakyfetus]

Hey boss ive always wounderd at the gas stations when you fill up with premium how in the hell do we actually know we are geten premium just thougjt mabey you could do vid on gas stations so we really know if we payen extra for better gas or we really get all the same gas just curiuos!!!! Hope u can find out lOl !!!

[@lolatmyage]

If you filled a car that wants premium up with the cheap stuff then the difference is obvious

[@chrisedmonds6794]

This was a wonderful video until the last moment when you got passed by a semi. 🤙🏿

[@Mak12368]

I hope you will someday get to review a Lamborghini.

[@Rafael-kv8le]

Engineering Explained can you tell me why it's produced the Crack noise ?

[@emal1975]

Wapo totote I'm pretty sure that sound comes from the butterfly valves opening and closing in the exhaust.

[@gvvvv2300]

cla45 or gla45 in terms of performance? difference between gla45 and a45? thanks!

[@EngineeringExplained]

gvvvv2300 I think the CLA is slightly quicker. I don't know what the differences are between the GLA and A, the A is not sold here but it looks to be about the same car.

[@gvvvv2300]

Engineering Explained thanks for the reply:-) so there is not much difference in performance and handling between GLA and CLA? is it the same powertrain just in different forms (sedan vs "suv")? thanks again. btw, great review. i really like the power and fuel efficiency of this engine.

[@Honeypepper.]

i can't believe you still have to stick a key in the engine instead of having an automatic start button

[@LoganSLRLockwood]

Wildhoney there is a starter button; you can pull it out if you want to use the key instead All push button Mercs to have a way to start the car with the key in case the button doesn't work for whatever reason

[@brettc6730]

Can you review a dodge charger hellcat... :D

[@grantjones2863]

Is the charger in the center console micro usb?

[@waltodets4369]

I'm wondering how you determine you interior DBA levels. You say 78 on this car, and I remember another where you mentioned 72 or 74 on a car that you described as "extremely quiet" (a Chrysler I think). These numbers sound very high to me. I'm thinking of "extremely quiet" as something down in the mid-sixties at 60 or 70 MPH, which is what my BMW 750 does with a set of Pilot Super Sports at 70 on unbroken concrete. I'm crazy about your reviews, and I'd like to support you with some single-time donations, but you seem to want a monthly schedule, which would mean putting credit card number someplace. Many thanks.

[@EngineeringExplained]

+Walt Odets I use an app on my phone, also, the highway stretch that I record it on is very harsh. I would expect normal highway driving to be better than pretty much any of dB levels I give, simply because the road I do it on is poor (but that's what we have in Oregon!). Also, you can do a single time donation on my channel page. You'll see a tab "Support this channel." Appreciate you considering it!

[@waltodets4369]

Engineering Explained Jason, thanks for the response. I'll send some money. Best, Walt

[@EngineeringExplained]

+Walt Odets Very kind of you, thank you Walt!