Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 2021 review | Chasing Cars

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We drive the new 2021 Mercedes-AMG and see how this sports SUV compares.
So, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 is back for a second generation, and this one is even better. The GLA 45 was the pick of the first-gen ’45’ cars from AMG, which introduced a two-litre turbocharged petrol engine to Affalterbach’s lineup for the first time. Well, the new car brings a higher quality interior, a trick new rear-biased AWD system and an even more ballistic motor, but it keeps the pliant, comfortable, feel-some chassis. How good!
Would you go for a GLA 45 AMG or the more affordable Audi RS Q3 - or do you prefer a hot hatch over these pumped-up sporty crossovers?
In today’s video, Tom takes a detailed look at the new ’S’ variant of the GLA 45 2021 to give you detailed insights about this vehicle.
What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.
While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.

[@autonewstv86]

Great review again 👌 this and the A45s are the last of there type, with the drive towards electrification increasing

[@dirkirsche4321]

Great review, CC.

[@paulreid179]

Is this the year of AMG's thats about 4 so far, Great cars any way. Keep up the great reviews guys like the improved format. BIG UP!

[@avuazahc1966]

Those wheel arch are damd huge even swalowing 20" like its just 17". . . .Nice vid from South Africa

[@shaheenevans]

Very thorough and thoughtful review, Mercedes filling all the niches and creating new ones

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! Hope I covered off most of the points.

[@AnonymousBloke]

“Friends don’t let friends buy alcantara steering wheels”. Words to live by.

[@philiplee7604]

Completely agree!... Absolutely no substitute for a quality ( ideally perforated like Skoda and many others ) LEATHER STEERING WHEEL FOR UNSURPASSED DURABILITY AND FANTASTIC TACTILE FEEL BEHIND THE WHEEL! ... shame on Mercedes for this cost cutting in a 6 figure car.

[@TRGracer]

2:33

[@markludwig3759]

Yes, someone at MB needs to understand customer needs. Terrible decision making. BTW., the GLA35 has a perforated leather sided steering wheel, but, no, you cannot order this wheel with the A45S. Very, very disappointing.

[@sjp3003]

If you build your order you can spec a non Alcantara AMG wheel (I did).

[@sjp3003]

If you build your order you can spec a non Alcantara AMG wheel (I did).

[@tonedwithtj6847]

That was such a good review

[@richieduck67]

Sterling review as always Tom manic mini SUV

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! Manic is a good word for it. But it can also calm down, which is quite the Jekyll-and-Hyde talent.

[@ezekielwebb9335]

Can you please do a review on the mg zs ev please and great review

[@chasingcars]

Filmed and will be published shortly.

[@camerontait9132]

Thanks Tom

[@nicolasgeorgievski4367]

great review, also spotto the police undercover Isuzu ute speed camera @7 min 52 sec

[@mrdudebloke744]

Totally agree with you regarding the steering wheel.

[@elfkc13]

Hi Tom, What your comment be in terms of ride quality driving it on the country roads. I’m tossing between the gla45s or the glb35. Thanks

[@jeremyhill3837]

Nice review and a great car. With 3 kids, if I HAD to drop $100k on an all-weather weapon to do the school run, this would be top of the list. A VERY hypothetical situation, but it’s nice of AMG to be thinking of everyone 😀

[@vsboy2577]

I cry with envy of such cars.

[@philipc239]

Love your review but wish to see the driving experience first before any practical stuff, especially with exciting cars like these

[@sha6577]

Hey bro what brand is your jacket?

[@avuazahc1966]

nice sound

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, it sounds pretty good.

[@Alan-mp2vu]

Great review, would you choose this or the RSQ3? It would have been an easy RSQ3 for me if the exhaust pops and crackle hasn't been removed (compared to pre-particulate filter cars with the same engine).

[@chasingcars]

Thanks Alan. I'm surprising myself by saying that I'd actually take the GLA 45 - I much prefer the styling (inside and out) of the RS Q3, but the GLA combines a brilliant chassis with more theatre than the Audi. And in a car like this, the whole package matters.

[@Alan-mp2vu]

@@chasingcars I agree, love the styling of the RSQ3, but the fact that they have kept the last generation parts and removed the theatre of the exhaust, I have to also pick the GLA45 (even with the comparatively less attractive styling).

[@intellips]

Let’s see a head to head with the RQ3!

[@khofilms]

My Dream SUV !!

[@gavinsolsky5]

I bought this car, totally over powered and indulgent but awesome.! I love it.

[@Keegan3005]

RSQ3 styling/engine + this chassis/handling, if only!!

[@spaztekwarrior]

We don’t have the A45 here in Canada but we do have the AMG GLA 45, so this is a no brainer for me. Plus this car has additional room in the back for passengers. What is the name of the colour of your tester?

[@khronin]

This will be my next vehicle.I just got a Mazda CX-30 premium Plus Turbo after selling a Stinger.I love being able to sit up high and they had no AMG 45s near me--150 miles away was the closest one so I decided to get the Mazda and pocket the extra money I saved,Europe has an S version of this with 400 HP and hopefully it arrives in the US in the next 2 or 3 years and stays under 65k.I started out with sports muscle cars--then super sedans and now will probably always get these sporty CUV's from now on.I like not worrying about scraping my front end or damaging my rims on super low profile tires,BTW--those electronics work wonders and keep these vehicles very stable with the increased ride height.BTW after selling the Stinger I have driven in both an ice storm we had in GA 2 weeks ago and through a flooded backroad that was up to my front skirt in the CX-30 and could have damaged my Stinger because the flood was in a spot where you could not turn around once you got to it.This is the KING of this class of sporty CUV's and a fantastic vehicle.Even though I have the money--I will not pull the trigger unless this also gets good reliability.

[@Darrenraitt]

Love that car........

[@chasingcars]

Lots to like here Darren!

[@azadr9231]

What is your watch? Omega Seamaster?

[@dirkirsche4321]

Only one bracelet like that beauty, AR! U R Correct!

[@sujpuj]

Is the exhaust note quieter than the 1st gen bro? Does it have the opf filter?

[@chasingcars]

No, about the same level of noise. Maybe a bit quieter outside but not much. Not sure about PPF for Australia. I’ll find out.

[@sujpuj]

Chasing Cars Thanks for the reply!

[@kidgrayskull9978]

Yes, all 2021 models in Aus have the opf fitted.

[@MatthewGaither]

I really like the color on this GLA 45. What's the name of that color?

[@kidgrayskull9978]

Mountain Grey

[@teddym2808]

Audi should do the same thing on export RSQ3 since the Euro 6 laws aren't into effect here yet and allow the 5 cylinder exhaust to still crackle and pop like this.

[@fale892]

This over the hatchback, without the wing. Weird theres no arm rest.

[@dirkirsche4321]

That is a review car. Mine has it and also rear adjustable seats.

[@alexandermathar7780]

The ADAC recently recommended the GLA as a car for elderly drivers. 😅

[@richieduck67]

Looking at an immac 2017 GLA45 for 62k that is 1/2 the price of a new one insane

[@chasingcars]

Good car that one. Still fetching decent money I see.

[@BennnWJK]

Could do without the rear spoiler. It works on the A45 but looks tacky on a crossover...

[@chasingcars]

Thankfully, it’s optional.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Looks like a B45 AMG to me which is no bad thing yet price is OTT - give me a mk8 Golf R please :)

[@koreanfriedchildren]

This or the Audi RSQ3?

[@chasingcars]

I like both for different reasons. The RS Q3 looks better inside and out, and the five-cylinder engine is a classic. However - ultimately - the GLA 45 actually drives better, and sounds better, even if the design isn't really my thing.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I agree Tom, the A45S is the better buy. It's lighter, quicker, looks better and a damn sight cheaper. Fail to see where the extra $20K has gone. Are longer springs and a silly bubble roof that expensive? The previous GLA45 has a better power to weight of 182.2 kW/t, this 'S' despite the extra 30kW is 171.6 kW/t due obesity. 1900 kg vs the A45s 1600 kg... Upon scrutiny SUVs really make no sense, simply a fashion statement to haul a McLaren pram.

[@chasingcars]

I'd go the A45, yes. But the impressive thing is that despite the size and the weight, the GLA45 still comes together as a marvellous thing to drive - and extremely supple to boot. Good car, even if it isn't in the form factor you or I would pay our own $ for.

[@dirkirsche4321]

Comparing the A to the GLA is the same as the theater experience, when someone stands up in the front row. Everybody else has to follow suit.

[@sjp3003]

Better buy provided you don't need the extra bit of ground clearance

[@markludwig3759]

Totally agree regarding the steering wheel. Would you believe that M. Benz is so anal that they will not swap the wheel for Nappa leather (because of compliances???????), yet, the wheel is fitted in the lower class GLA35.

[@sjp3003]

I ordered mine with the leather AMG wheel, non alcantara

[@markludwig3759]

@@sjp3003 I will be very surprised if you get it

[@m_thebox]

What’s your car, Tom?

[@kaotictube]

"Power oversteer" - has the PC movement got to the car industry, too?! Sheesh!

[@chasingcars]

What are you talking about?

[@kaotictube]

@@chasingcars Drifting is the petrol head term lol, not having a go, just being cheeky. Nice review.

[@limpunsing224]

I'd prefer the AMG CLA 45 S if I were to spend this much money for a small car

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough. I imagine that’s why Benz offer all three of the A45, CLA45 and GLA45 - to capture each different audience

[@stuartc1936]

The only thing about Mercedes is the air vents they just bring down the interior

[@felix_five]

Yo Yo

[@chasingcars]

Yo!

[@richieduck67]

AMG lite?

[@chasingcars]

Strictly speaking the GLA 35 is AMG-lite - but I know what you mean. It'll be interesting when the C63 gets this engine (very likely!) with some electrified gubbins...

[@koreanfriedchildren]

@@chasingcars is it wishful thinking now to hope for the C63 to have a V8, specifically 2 of these A45s/GLA45s engines stuck together in a V formation?

[@shanejumbo4432]

Worst ever experince buying a Merc in Australia. I sold it just recently after the dealer faked the first service and nothing was actually touched. I sold the car after two years pretty much with a loss of 10k but i will never again buy a Mercedes

[@kidgrayskull9978]

Sorry to hear, mate. What service centre would you recommend steering clear of?

[@shanejumbo4432]

@@kidgrayskull9978 Toowong Merc in Brisbane. Don't go near the scumbags

[@kidgrayskull9978]

@@shanejumbo4432 I'm actually moving over to an A45s from a Focus RS, due to very similar experiences from Ford.

[@shanejumbo4432]

@@kidgrayskull9978 Bro you will waste your money. I had an Evo 10 not the final edition it had only done 5k on the clock. Traded it in for GLC63s. An awesome car. But they are fraudsters. So i sold it and got myself a V8 LC200 and a M2. BMW customer service is by far nearly 10 x better brother. And i love both of my cars

[@shanejumbo4432]

@@kidgrayskull9978 But if i were you i would buy neither and wait for the new Golf R brother. Matt from Carwow in UK gets 3.9s 0-100 from a stock Gen 8 new Golf R. That's just nutts for a 55k car dude.

[@stevenagy88]

Overpriced throwaway tablet on stilts for people with more disposable income than good taste. Will age and depreciate horribly too.

[@dirkirsche4321]

My M139 is so advanced, it is otherworldly. There is as much hp/liter as the competition’s 2 liter in-line 4 cyl! If the secret to life is being present, I can easily appreciate how easily it is to get into ‘flow’ even in bad heavy traffic. Contrare SN, but to drive one is to realize how in-expensive it really is.

[@Tigers529]

Jealous or what

[@franka1621]

It’s a keep-only-during-warranty proposition. The depreciation is pretty high, given the expectation that they will have been thrashed to within an inch of their lives. The previous model doesn’t seem to have aged very well, both in terms of interior quality and the over-stressed engine. Plus, MB Aus don’t seem to be too overly focused on customer service, beyond the free cappuccino in their lounge…