RE: Mercedes GLA45 AMG: UK Review

RE: Mercedes GLA45 AMG: UK Review

Tuesday 17th February 2015

2015 Mercedes GLA45 AMG | UK Review

£50K for an A-Class based crossover; world gone mad or actually the best of the '45 AMGs yet?


Even given Mercedes' 21st century fascination with niche-busting fast cars (R63 anyone? A210 Evolution maybe?), the GLA45 AMG is a very bizarre car. It was a bemusing prospect at launch last year, but now the '45 range has been further expanded with the CLA Shooting Brake. The GLA's role has a more practical A-Class derivative has apparently been usurped.

But it would be wrong to discount the GLA too swiftly. There is an awful lot to like about this range of cars and the GLA in particular. There are some fairly significant gripes too, but we'll come to those. Let's deal with the positives first.

Bloody hell it's fast. On the launch a couple of cars felt slightly under the weather; no such problems here. Remember the GLA is only 30kg heavier than an A-Class, a car that has been timed to 100mph in 10 seconds. The optional AMG addenda may look a bit extravagant but it's certainly not making false promises. Conventional AMG owners beware: these four-cylinder cars don't want for any performance.

A big dump
Moreover, the 2.0-litre is a fabulous engine. When discussing most modern turbos, it's a case of a huge torque dump before 2,000rpm with no real incentive to rev it. Fast and easy, yes, but not the most exciting. The Mercedes is very different. There's a bit of lag and plenty of low-rev torque too but a second wind at about 5,500rpm that still comes as something of a shock. It's properly ferocious round to the limiter, revving with an intensity you would never credit such a heavily turbocharged engine with. Indeed upshifts can occasionally be missed (it's not always the gearbox...) as the engine convinces you it has another 1,000rpm or so left to run. A Black Series going beyond 7,000rpm would be something to savour.

Perhaps it's due to unfamiliarity, perhaps Mercedes has introduced a sneaky software tweak or two, but the dual-clutch 'box did feel sharper in this GLA than other 45s. It feels more responsive to downshifts than previously, upshifts seem a fraction quicker and the whole experience less dim-witted. Still not perfect but a tangible improvement. Odd.

If the old AMG V8 bruisers need to be mindful of the new breed in a straight line then they don't stand a chance around corners. Yes, even the GLA45. As with the A and CLA, it's the tautness and the precision of the damping that shines through, the body's resolute control giving the confidence to attack bends faster and faster. The brakes are stellar too, with exemplary feel and performance. There can't be much faster down a British B-road. Perhaps not the conventional AMG skillset but a thrilling one nonetheless.

Blunt force
What a shame then that the Haldex-derived four-wheel drive just isn't as crisp as the rest of the dynamic package. Only very seldom does the GLA feel anything other than a very capable front-wheel drive car. Attempt to neutralise it with a lift or more power results in a lot more push before any power is distributed rearwards. On occasion there's that sensation of all four wheels powering you out of a corner but it requires too much commitment on the road.

There are many good points to the interior (driving position, steering wheel, seats) but the fundamental design does now look a little dated against the C-Class and AMG GT. Perhaps that's a shallow observation but if you're spending £50K on a car it needs to make you smile during the dull drives as well as the pants-on-fire journeys. On seeing a new C-Class cabin the GLA45 may not do that.

And no, that £50K isn't a misprint. In fact KP14 CJZ had a list price of £53,080 through options such as an AMG Aerodynamic Package and, er, AMG Night Package. Mercedes insiders tell us this is in fact a typical options spend for many '45 buyers so the prospect of most equivalent GLAs leaving with a price in the 50s isn't unrealistic. Wow. The GLA is an endearingly daft though, and anyone who dismisses it on styling or a perceived engine deficit must drive it. It really is very good. However, it's hard to escape the feeling that most customers would be better served by a regular A45 hatch or the upcoming Shooting Brake.


SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES-BENZ GLA45 AMG

Engine: 1,991cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 360@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@2,250-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 4.8 seconds
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
MPG: 37.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 175g/km
Price: £44,250 (£53,080 as tested including AMG Performance exhaust at £470, AMG Night Package (consisting of 20-inch wheels, aluminium roof rails, beltline strips in high gloss black, door mirrors in high gloss black) at £1,150, AMG Exclusive Package (consisting of red designo seat belts, electrically adjustable seats and mirrors, AMG floor mats, lumbar support, leather and memory package) at £1,695, Drivers Assistance Package (consisting of Distronic Plus, Lane-Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system) at £1,495, Premium Package (consisting of Harman Kardon Logic 7, Intelligent Light System and panoramic sliding sunroof) at £1,795, carbon fibre trim at £695 and AMG Aerodynamic Package (consisting of 'additional flics in high gloss black on front apron', AMG rear aerofoil in high gloss black, large front splitter in high gloss black) at £1,530.

   
   
Author
Discussion

court

Original Poster:

1,485 posts

215 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
The clickbait is strong with this one laugh

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
As compact SUV cross-over things go, I suppose it's quite nice. The styling certainly works better on the taller platform than on the A-class.

I believe that could be considered to be damning with faint praise, though.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Dunno why, but I find myself liking the look of this more than the A45, and I do not like pseudo-SUV/crossovers/whatever they are called nowadays.

I'd have the CLA shooting brake though if I was buying.

daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
The worst looking Mercedes ever made??

It's actually bordering on being offensively ugly laugh






hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
You know what, I'm going to say it. I like it. But I can't quite help the nagging thought at the back of my mind that it's just a posh equivalent of a Zafira ZXR...

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
You know what, I'm going to say it. I like it. But I can't quite help the nagging thought at the back of my mind that it's just a posh equivalent of a Zafira ZXR...
Likely to be driven a whole lot less angrily though.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
If you're going to buy a compact crossover, you might as well buy the fastest! Wonder if an RS Q3 is as quick?

Hillbilly75

34 posts

114 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Had a CLA 45 AMG (I know not quite the same but basically is) on 5 day test drive a few weeks back, honestly - so uncomfortable it is untrue, rock hard ride and vile seats. I was exhausted after a 400 mile journey and I am under 30 before you all call me an old fart! I also found it quite jumpy on the edge, not exactly inspiring. S3 by contrast was so much more comfortable and useable, felt planted and exploitable - although I will confess the noise from the AMG in sport mode, especially in the Blackwall tunnel is nothing short of pornographic - the crack on the upshift - oh my days!!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
When will the people arrive to claim that this car is pointless, or they would rather buy a second hand etc etc

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
When will the people arrive to claim that this car is pointless, or they would rather buy a second hand etc etc
They are on half term so won't be up yet.

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

203 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Tried the A45 a couple of years back. It was very fast but didn't feel at all refined. Slightly odd car IMO as is something I probably would have loved at 21 - but could never have afforded to buy or insure. Now
I'm old enough to buy one it doesn't appeal. I presume Merc are selling enough of them to make it worthwhile but it would be interesting to know what the profile of the average buyer is.

Tom1312

1,015 posts

145 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Well they are popular.

Spoke to a lad in an A45 the other day.

Said he'd wanted one of these but didn't fancy the 4-6 month wait.

Remagel2507

1,456 posts

191 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
I liked the A45 when it came out but now I think out of all 3 the CLA looks the best IMO especially in this colour, though having said that the CLA looks good in all its available colours




Oz83

687 posts

138 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Wow £50K! And the PH masses said the RS3 is too expensive...

P4ROT

1,219 posts

192 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
That looks so stupid.

Sheepshanks

32,530 posts

118 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
£53K? rofl

Imagine the p/x price you'll be offered in 2-3yrs. yikes

pSynrg

238 posts

181 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Erm... World gone mad, yeah.

alexpa

644 posts

171 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Sheepshanks said:
£53K? rofl

Imagine the p/x price you'll be offered in 2-3yrs. yikes
3 yrs.. hmm, i'd say 40% of basic list?

moffat

1,020 posts

224 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
I also think MB have gone mad with this one.

My C63 went back last month and when looking for a replacement I had a good look at CLA45 and there were just too many negatives:

1. Higher monthly cost to pay for and RUN than my C63 Coupe
2. It was cheaper to buy and M3/M4
3. The interior is very cheap
4. The ride is terrible
5. It needed a minimum of £7k in options

I'm not really sure why these are selling, I just get the A45 if it's specified to a poverty type spec.

The CLA45 will make the new C63 look like a bargain.

My wife has an A220 CDI AMG Sport and both us are counting down the days for it to go back, nice looking car but overall I really dislike it to drive, but mainly the lower rent feel. It's likely to be replaced with an A3 or 2 series.

Edited by moffat on Tuesday 17th February 13:19

soad

32,829 posts

175 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
quotequote all
Porsche Macan (in Turbo guise) costs even more...