The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA packs luxury and performance into a subcompact SUV ideally suited for tight city confines. It also makes an excellent choice for empty nesters or singles, although its back seat accommodates two adults comfortably.
Mercedes-Benz keeps the lineup simple, offering the base GLA 250 with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (4Matic in Benz speak) and two high-performance AMG models sure to elicit a smile from driving enthusiasts.
The GLA-Class is a clever piece of work, but not unique. Buyers interested in a subcompact luxury SUV can shop the less expensive Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, and BMW X1 or go a bit greener with the Lexus UX Hybrid.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250: $37,500
The GLA 250 is the most inexpensive GLA-Class SUV. It’s powered by a 221-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine running power to the front wheels via a dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission.
Dynamic Select modes regulate throttle input, shift points, and steering feel via three settings: Eco, Comfort, and Sport.
Right out of the box, the GLA 250 impresses with its ample serving of standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, heated power side mirrors, a power liftgate, and rain-sensing wipers.
The SmartKey system uses a proximity key fob to let the vehicle know you are its rightful owner, allowing the engine to start with a press of a button.
You can remotely start the GLA 250 using the Mercedes me app, which comes with a one-year trial subscription. The app can lock or unlock the doors, find where you parked, and even help locate a stolen vehicle.
The GLA 250 brandishes LED bulbs for headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights. It also features a rear wiper that activates when placing the transmission in reverse.
A peek inside reveals convincing MB-Tex faux leather upholstery in your choice of black, beige, or, when ordering one of the AMG Line packages, two-tone gray/black or black with microfiber inserts and red stitching. Leather upholstery is available in a choice of colors.
Standard equipment includes 8-way power front seats with 4-way power lumbar support and 3-position memory, with adjustable cushion length for better thigh support. A 40/20/40-split folding-and-reclining rear seat makes it possible to carry long items and still fit two people.
Power windows and door locks come standard, as does a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.
The GLA 250 features a robust multimedia infotainment system viewed through a 7-inch touchscreen that users can operate in one of three ways: a touchpad controller, steering wheel controls, or by touching the screen directly.
Part of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) program includes voice control with natural language capability. Say something like “I’m hot,” and MBUX can adjust the cabin temperature. The system can even learn new phrases over time.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow seamless smartphone integration, giving you access to music apps, navigation, and messages. Also included are a premium audio system, HD Radio, and Bluetooth streaming. SiriusXM satellite radio is optional.
The GLE 250’s cabin includes four USB-C ports, three for charging, and one data port.
On the driver safety and assist front, the GLA 250 has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a blind-spot monitor. Also included is a driver attention monitor, a rearview monitor, and Crosswind Assist, which uses selective braking to help keep the vehicle centered when encountering strong winds.
Exit Warning Assist warns exiting occupants of approaching vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians. If an airbag or seatbelt tensioner deploys, the GLA can send an emergency call to the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Service with your GPS coordinates and vehicle information. You can also push the SOS button should you need further assistance.
The GLA 250 offers several optional upgrade packages, including two AMG Line packages that add AMG-style wheels, steering wheel, exterior trim, and sport seats.
The Exterior Light Package adds adaptive LED headlights and automatic high beams.
A panoramic moonroof, lighted 3-point Mercedes-Benz grille star, a rear spoiler, and 20-inch wheels round out exterior upgrades.
The Premium Package upgrades with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and multimedia touchscreens, a hands-free power liftgate, a 115-volt outlet, power-folding side mirrors, and the Keyless-Go system.
With Keyless-Go, you need only touch the door handle to unlock or lock the doors.
The Multimedia package adds navigation with augmented video (superimposing directional arrows onto the navigation screen) and Speed Limit Assist, which displays posted speed limit icons in the instrument cluster.
The Driver Assistance Package adds Distronic adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, and Pre-Safe Plus and Sound systems that prepare the cabin if a collision is inevitable.
Active Blind Spot Assist can steer the vehicle away from a potential collision, while Active Lane Change Assist can automatically change lanes when signaling while using the adaptive cruise control. Active Speed Limit Assist can automatically match your speed to the posted limit, but only when using the adaptive cruise control.
The Parking Assistance Package adds a 360-degree surround view monitor and the Parktronic parallel and perpendicular parking assistant.
Standalone options include a 12-speaker 590-watt Burmester audio system, heated (or heated and ventilated) front seats, rear-seat side airbags, a wireless charging pad, and a heated steering wheel. Also available are 64-color adjustable ambient lighting, a fore-aft sliding rear seat, and the MBUX Interior Assistant that responds to the driver’s or front passenger’s hand and arm gestures.
A note to buyers: Due to the ongoing supply shortage, features such as Distronic and the Burmester audio upgrade may not be available until the start of 2023. Be sure to check with your dealer when ordering.
With the $995 destination charge, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 costs $38,495. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $692. See 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 includes:
- 8-way power front seats – The GLA 250’s front seats feature 8-way adjustment, 4-way power lumbar support, and 3-position memory. The driver’s seat memory also includes the mirror position.
- Power liftgate – The GLA 250’s power liftgate automatically opens via a button on the driver’s interior door panel, the key fob, or the liftgate release.
- Available 10.25-inch digital displays – These large, bright digital screens take up nearly the entire dash, displaying vehicle information, infotainment options, navigation, and climate settings.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic: $39,500
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic is now available for $39,500.
The GLA 250 4Matic features the same standard and optional equipment as the GLA 250 but with the added traction afforded by the 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD). The system includes a downhill “crawl” mode, ideal in off-road situations.
In addition to the GLA 250’s standard equipment, the GLA 250 4Matic includes heated front windshield washer nozzles and a heated reservoir.
With the $995 destination charge, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic costs $40,495. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $728. See 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic includes:
- 4Matic AWD – The 4Matic system operates in front-drive mode when not needed, but it can instantly send up to 50% of the engine torque to the rear wheels at the slightest sign of wheel slippage.
- Downhill Speed Regulation – This system can control downhill descent, holding to a preset speed without the driver needing to operate the brakes.
- Heated washer fluid – The GLA 250 4Matic comes standard with a heated washer system that keeps washer fluid and nozzle warm, repelling ice buildup that might otherwise cause a blockage.
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35: $49,500
The AMG GLA 35 is the performance variant crafted by Mercedes-Benz’s in-house tuner AMG. It builds off the GLA 250 4Matic, with performance upgrades to its AWD system, transmission, suspension, electric-assist power steering, and brakes.
The AMG treatment starts under the hood, where the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gets several improvements giving it a total output of 302 horsepower.
When combined with the 4Matic AWD system, this engine can rocket the GLA 35 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, more than a second more quickly than the GLA 250.
The AMG Dynamic Select system offers four modes: Comfort, Slippery, Sport, and Sport+. A fifth setting for Individual lets the driver create a personalized setting.
AMG Ride Control sport suspension features stiffer springs and 3-stage adaptive dampers for improved cornering, while the brakes get vented and drilled 13.8-inch front rotors with 4-piston calipers.
A sport exhaust completes the performance upgrades.
The GLA 35 rides on 19-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels and features exclusive AMG exterior styling elements such as the front air dam, flared side sills, wide grille, and four round chrome tailpipes.
The interior gets several upgrades, including the larger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and multimedia screens, thick-bolstered sport front seats, a 115-volt outlet, and 64 colors of ambient lighting. You also get an AMG steering wheel and carbon structure accents.
Options specifically tailored by AMG include multi-contour performance front seats with power side bolsters, leather upholstery, three different AMG performance steering wheels, and the AMG Drive Unit.
AMG Drive Unit consists of two control pads on the steering wheel, permitting faster access to features such as shift modes, AMG Ride Control damping, and AMG Dynamic Select settings.
There’s an available AMG head-up display featuring a bar graph tachometer, an upshift light, and a lap timer. In that same vein, a dashcam lets you record action in front of the car and save it to a USB flash drive.
The AMG Track Pace option lets you display track data in the 10.25-inch display, showing top speed, acceleration, and lap times.
Buyers can also choose between 20- and 21-inch AMG wheels and three AMG-specific styling packages: AMG Night Package, Night Package Plus, and Aerodynamic Package.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 costs $50,495. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $907. See 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 includes:
- AMG-tuned engine – Thanks to an increase in turbo boost and several engine components upgrades, the GLA 35 can eke out a respectable 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from just 2.0 liters of displacement.
- Available AMG Performance seats – The AMG Performance seats feature one-piece head restraints and electrically-adjustable side and seat-bottom bolsters, providing various degrees of seat-hugging grip.
- Available Burmester audio – The 12-speaker Burmester audio upgrade is a must-have for music lovers. It may be the only thing more pleasing to the ear than the GLA 35’s sport exhaust note.
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45: $56,650
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 is now available for $56,650.
The GLA 45 builds off the GLA 35, with a hand-crafted 2.0-liter turbocharged engine pumping out an insane 382 hp. With this powertrain, the GLA 45 shaves nearly one second off the GLA 35’s 0-60 time, clocking in at 4.4 seconds.
Like the GLA 35, the GLA 45 gets the AMG treatment to all vital engine, suspension, steering, and braking systems, as well as the exhaust. The GLA 45’s AMG Performance 4Matic system can vary the torque front to rear and between each rear wheel.
The GLA 45 gets the same exterior styling treatment but features 10-spoke AMG 19-inch alloy wheels and power-folding side mirrors with a driver’s side auto-dimming feature. Keyless-Go and gesture-activated hands-free power liftgate are standard.
The GLA 45 includes the same optional equipment as the GLA 35, with two exceptions. When ordering the AMG Dynamic Plus package, GLA 45 buyers get a high-performance composite braking system featuring 14.2-inch front discs with 6-piston calipers and 13-inch rear discs.
The package also adds Race mode to AMG Dynamic Select, recalibrating the throttle, transmission, steering, and suspension for even quicker off-the-line performance.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 costs $57,645. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $1,036. See 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 includes:
- 382-hp engine – With nearly 200 horses per liter, the AMG GLA 45’s little turbocharged engine rates as one of the most potent production 4-cylinders ever built.
- Available composite brakes – Made of a super hard composite, the GLA 45’s optional performance brakes improve stopping power while resisting fade.
- Available Race mode – The Race setting dials back the traction control while sharpening throttle response and gear changes for blistering off-the-line performance.
