Having the words subcompact and luxury in the same sentence seems like an oxymoron but with that said, the subcompact luxury SUV segment has become one of the hottest in today’s automotive landscape. Buyers are looking for that luxury car look and feel but don’t want a massive vehicle. They’re also looking for enough usable cargo space, AWD and enough ground clearance for every season.
Mercedes-Benz introduced its first GLA model to the segment in 2015. We were not huge fans of the first generation. The vehicles' elevated center of gravity and low roof line made the cabin feel very cramped. Mercedes-Benz's choice of design over function, made the cargo space limited. The materials used for the interior were mediocre and the same can be said of the driving experience. The dash was designed was composed of hard plastics, which felt cheap. Most disappointingly, at low speeds, the transmission response was noticeably delayed.
Mercedes-Benz has addressed all these issues with the brand new 2021 model. The vehicle is larger both inside and out. Overall the car is much more comfortable and has practical cargo space.. The engine produces more power and the transmission has been improved as well. The GLA now comes standard with an 8-speed transmission which provides for a smoother ride around town.
While the 2021 GLA is similar in size to the first generation here are the specs. The 2nd gen is 14mm shorter in length, 2 mm narrower, 104 mm higher than its predecessor The wheelbase has been stretched by 30 mm which helps give the car a smoother ride than before. The cabin has an extra 116 mm of headroom, 45 mm of elbow room and 43 mm more shoulder room. The trunk space has also been increased from 421 L to 435 L when the rear seats are in an upright position.. Drop them down and the GLA's cargo area expands to a whopping 1430 L, a significant increase from its precursors' 1235 L.
The second generation GLA continues to impress with a crucial leap in terms of interior style and functionality. The Mercedes-Benz Command System, which was controlled by a 7-inch screen above the dash, has been replaced with the new MBUX system. MBUX includes a larger screen, which can be manipulated by touch or tactile pad on the center console. The system also has impressive voice recognition capabilities, able to understand casual language. A simple command such as "hey Mercedes, I am cold" will prompt the climate system to increase the temperature.
Under the hood the 2021 GLA maintains the same 2.0L turbo, 4 cylinder. Horsepower has been increased by 13 for a total of 221. Torque output remains the same at a respectable 285 lb-ft. The major change in the driving experience is in the transmission. The first generation vehicle came with a 7-speed dual clutch unit. We always found the transmission shifted quickly at high speeds but struggled to operate smoothly in stop and go traffic. New for 2021, is an 8-speed transmission, which feels much smoother and predictable in and around town.
Overall, the dashboard and cabin have been noticeably refined compared with the previous generation. The plastics are softer and the switches feel as though they are of higher quality befitting of a high end vehicle. The car simply feels more luxurious and no longer as though it were compiled of low-end materials.
The second generation GLA has been revamped so noticeably over the previous model, that it feels as though Mercedes-Benz skipped a generation in producing it. If you find yourself amongst those who liked the first generation, you will absolutely love the second. Every aspect of the car seems to have undergone a monumental improvement. With that said, those of you, like us, who felt the first generation fell short of expectations within the luxury subcompact SUV segment, you might find yourselves in for a pleasant surprise.
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