GLA45 AMG

[Dazzler83]

Hi all. Apologies, first post and it's a 'what car' type (although been a lurker for many years!).

I am keen to get back into something more sporty, agile and fun - currently driving a Skoda Superb Sportline 2.0Tsi Mk3. While it is a very capable car and offers the luxury of space for the family, it is a bit dull.

Really keen on the styling and performance the GLA45 offers, but concerned the size may be an issue for a family of 4. Anyone have one of these and use it as their main family car? I'd be lugging around my 2 kids and wife on occasion, as well as using it for my hobby of carp fishing - another concern as to if it has useable space with seats down to get all my gear in.

I have coped in the past with a focus ST mk3 and a mini clubman, so hoping real useable space will be similar to that. Open to suggestions of other 'interesting' daily cars - I did really ponder over a mk3 RS but with the AWD system the dimensions seem to offer very little useable space.

Edited to add - budget circa £25-27k

Edited by Dazzler83 on Wednesday 19th October 11:36

[Belle427]

We have a 2021 Gla200d and I'd say its no bigger than a standard hatchback really.
Lovely car and serves us well as a family of 3 though, we use a roof box for holidays.
Maybe another focus ST in estate form may suit you or an Octavia Vrs estate.

[J1990]

I wouldn't expect it to be up for the duties as a main family car if you've got two little ones, especially if you're downsizing from something as huge as a Superb. However, for a similar price you're going to have a few options that would be larger in capacity and still fun to drive:

- i30N - Amazing fun, probably the only car from my history that I 'miss' and it's fairly cavernous inside. Add to that the 5 year warranty which includes track use and you can see that Hyundai have got good faith in this car's reliability.
- Golf R Estate
- Octavia VRS in either saloon or estate
- S3 Saloon, maybe. Not sure how much additional space this actually has but certainly a fun driver's car.
- Focus ST estate
- Cupra Ateca (Possibly one of my favourites in this section)

[Dazzler83]

Thanks for the replies, certainly plenty to consider. The i30N has certainly caught my eye, not knowing a great deal about them I will have to look further into them, but they seem to offer quite good VFM!

[samoht]

On the A45 platform you could also consider the CLA45 shooting brake, which I think is slightly bigger than the GLA
https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/cla/202850/mercedes...

[J1990]

Dazzler83 said:

Thanks for the replies, certainly plenty to consider. The i30N has certainly caught my eye, not knowing a great deal about them I will have to look further into them, but they seem to offer quite good VFM!

The added benefit is that all of them, except for the very first batch, came as standard with full specification (Very first models had heated seats/wheel as an optional extra). The ride on the fastback is a little softer but I'd have either of them again in a heartbeat if I wasn't looking for a 2 seater instead.

[Dazzler83]

samoht said:

On the A45 platform you could also consider the CLA45 shooting brake, which I think is slightly bigger than the GLA
https://www.evo.co.uk/mercedes/cla/202850/mercedes...

The boot space is far more workable on the CLA45 shooting break, but the rear end is very much marmite, and in my case I am not a fan of marmite!

Boot dimensions are an interesting one;
- GLA45 AMG Seats Up = 481L / Down = 1235L
- I30N Fastback Seats Up = 450L / Down 1351L

It is making me think the GLA45 may be workable. Kids are of an age where no 'baby paraphernalia' is required, just needs to fit a couple of suitcases on for the annual holiday and fishing gear (seats go down for that!). I do taxi the kids around, but neither me nor the Mrs are of a tall stature. Think I need to get out and have a physical look at some - I really do want the GLA45 to work as the appeal is quite strong.

[Danzelp]

I'm in a similar situation to you. Downsizing a family car to something abit more fun but that will provide some practicality on occasion.

Have you considered a new shape M135i? you may get into one at the top end of your budget and they are surprisingly generous for space for rear passengers and stacked with tech. Feels similar to all the new gen BMWs in the cabin.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say as someone who has a Mercedes bias if I was looking at one of these then I'd really take a good look at the RS Q3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...

Or the RS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

You'll also get a nice M3 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

Somewhere in the middle is the C43 Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

[Driver101]

ZX10R NIN said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

A private sale that hasn't sold in 11 months.

I'd throw the Volvo V60 Polestar into the choice for consideration.

[Dazzler83]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say as someone who has a Mercedes bias if I was looking at one of these then I'd really take a good look at the RS Q3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208028...

Or the RS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

You'll also get a nice M3 for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

Somewhere in the middle is the C43 Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...

Some good suggestions in there, thanks! The M3 would not be able to be considered due to boot size and access - this would need to double up as to take my fishing stuff, so reasonable boot access is paramount.

[ZX10R NIN]

Dazzler83 said:

Some good suggestions in there, thanks! The M3 would not be able to be considered due to boot size and access - this would need to double up as to take my fishing stuff, so reasonable boot access is paramount.

Fair enough the M3 is out but that does bring the V60 Polestar in:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

Or a leftfield option is the Kia Stinger:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210180...

You'll still have a fair bit of warranty too.

[Dazzler83]

So I ended up going completely against what I said ref the cla45 amg shooting brake. After viewing one in person it looks far better than any pictures, and although not the biggest certainly will be big enough for my needs.

Should liven up the commute into the office!

[ZX10R NIN]

Good choice OP, you'll enjoy it.