After one year from its world premiere, the latest H247 Mercedes-Benz GLA has finally been launched in Malaysia. As a small SUV, it rounded out Stuttgart’s new-generation compact car range in Malaysia, arriving in the same two variants as before, albeit with the latest Modular Front Architecture (MFA).
Prospective early-bird buyers would be happy to know that if they move fast enough, they will still be able to snag a 2020 model, which ensures that they would benefit from a 50% cut in sales and services tax (SST). The GLA 200 Progressive Line is priced at RM244,200 on-the-road without insurance at current rates, while the GLA 250 AMG Line is priced at RM285,337.
Take note that it will cost RM252,888 and RM295,888 respectively for vehicles registered after January 31. These prices are RM8,000 (against the previous GLA 200 Night Edition) and a whopping RM21,000 more costly like-for-like compared to the outgoing X156 model . The latest GLA is as before, directly imported from the Rastatt factory in Germany and is sold with a four-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Engine & Gear
The GLA is provided with two engine choices here, as with the local A-Class. The GLA 200 is powered by a 1.3 liter turbocharged petrol four-cylinder Renault-sourced M282, generating 163 PS at 5,500 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 1,620 to 4,000 rpm. A long with the seven-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission, it is enough to get the car from zero to 100 km/h on its way to a top speed of 210 km/h in 8.7 seconds.
In the meantime, the GLA 250 gets an in-house combination of engine and gearbox – an M260 2.0 litre mill that delivers 224 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm, paired to a new DCT of eight speeds. Despite not being fitted with an all-wheel drive system as per the previous GLA 250, this one makes the century sprint in 6.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 240 km/h.
Exterior
Most notably, unlike the A 200 with its torsion beam, all models of the GLA come with four-link independent rear suspension. While the GLA 250 has a lower ride height than the GLA 200, the passive dampers come as usual. The AMG Line-specific front brakes with cross-drilled discs are one thing that the 250 lacks in this generation, which is the case globally.
You can see a more commanding face on its front, which consists of a wider grille and curvy LED headlights. With a fake full-width air intake and a functional center inlet underneath, both models come with a similar front bumper design, although the GLA 200 also comes with a chrome skid plate.
Mercedes has cut down the number of character lines along the side, added an additional rear side window and extended the doors downwards to cover and keep the side sills clean. The two-piece trapezoidal LED taillights are slimmer than before and come with rectangular light guides, and although the GLA 250 has extra fake vents and a more sporty diffuser-like bumper insert, both models feature twin integrated tailpipes.
Interior
Inside it, the GLA is almost identical to the B-Class MPV, sharing the same design of the dashboard that incorporates cutouts for the freestanding display panel and the decorative trim on the passenger side, as well as the doors with the same metallic tubular grab handles.
The GLA showcases the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with twin 10.25-inch instrument and infotainment screens and the "Hey Mercedes" voice control system, much like its other compact car siblings. The wheelbase has increased by 30 mm, although the car is 14 mm shorter than before, adding an additional 114 mm of rear legroom and a 435-litre boot that is 14 litres wider. A split-folding rear bench of 40:20:40 is standard.
The GLA 200 and 250 both have power-adjustable memory front seats, upholstered in Artico faux leather in the case of the 200. The 250 features a flat-bottom steering wheel, microfibre seats from Artico and Dinamica, brushed aluminium trim, paddle shifters and illuminated tread plates from AMG. The standard single-zone climate control sadly means that you still don't get rear air vents on either model.
Other Features
Keyless entry, push-button start, parking assist, a reverse camera and a hands-free powered tailgate are standard equipment, with the GLA 250 also throwing in 64-colour ambient lighting. Both cars have automatic emergency braking, door opening warning and Pre-Safe in terms of protection, but only the 250 is equipped with blind spot monitoring.