Mercedes Benz GLA 220 CDI 4Matic AMG: giving competitors a run for their money

The GLA 220 CDI 4Matic AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s entry in the premium compact crossover sweepstakes.

A free-standing central infotainment display dominates the cockpit. Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

Not many people know that among the big three premium German brands, Mercedes-Benz offers the widest lineup of sport utility vehicles. Mercedes has a total lineup of 21 cars, in fact.

At the same time, Mercedes was the last of the three to enter the C-segment crossover market, a lucrative segment that is fast gaining popularity in Europe and the United States.

A year ago, the Daimler firm introduced the GLA, which ranks below the M-Class, G-Class and GL-Class in its SUV stable, and challenges the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque for market share.

The GLA is available with petrol or diesel engines. Over here, CATS Motors, the Mercedes-Benz general distributor for Daimler in the Philippines, offers the GLA 220 CDI 4matic AMG equipped with the latest generation 2.2-liter, four-inline common rail direct injection (CDI) diesel engine whose max torque of 350 Newton-meters is on tap from low revs: 1400-3400 revolutions per  minute, to be exact. This makes efficient driving at low engine speeds possible.

The CDI’s 170-BHP powerplant is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with cruise control whose shift characteristics can be preset from fuel-saving to sporty.  For drivers who prefer to change gears themselves, the GLA 220 CDI has steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

7 RATIOS. However, I found no need for the gear shift paddles because the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission enables smooth, automatic gear-shifting between its seven ratios as swiftly as manual mode, especially at highway speeds. It is only when you accelerate from a standing start that the gearbox is somewhat slow to respond.

The 220 CDI engine clatters when you start it in the morning and is noisy at low speeds or when idling. However, hardly any noise enters the cabin once the GLA hits the road fast. Top speed is claimed to be 214 kilometers per hour, and fuel economy at 19 km per liter. After all, 170 BHP is a lot of power for a car this size.

Viewed from any angle, the GLA looks good with its sharp crease lines, coupe-like profile, bulked-up hatchback styling, upgraded on-road presence and alloy wheels pushed out to the corners. It has been described as an A-Class with attitude since it is based on the A-Class.

The Night package in conjunction with AMG Line has exterior design features in high-gloss black, such as the radiator grille with chrome inserts, the exterior mirrors, aluminum roof rails, waistline trim, rear apron trim and AMG five-spoke, 19-inch light alloy wheels.

The GLA has the same width, and is longer and a bit taller than the A-Class, but not tall enough to give the driver a commanding view of the road, even allowing for the 15 millimeters lower sports suspension. In this aspect, the GLA isn’t clearly defined as a crossover/SUV.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system guarantees grip on wet roads and slippery conditions, preventing individual wheels from spinning and optimizing traction. The test unit has an optional Dynamic Handling suspension, lower by 15 mm and supplemented by a Sports Direct Steer system giving a greater amount of speed-sensitive power assistance and variable steering ratio for enhanced agility in cornering and directional stability at high speeds on the straights.

On the other hand, an AMG-tuned suspension (front struts and rear multilink), which is closer to the ground than standard with stiffer springs and damping, does not make the GLA the most comfortable Mercedes-Benz to drive or ride. It translates into a very firm ride quality and a real feel of the road—nothing cushy like that offered by an SE Benz.

AMG, if you don’t know it yet, is the high performance division of Mercedes-Benz that represents 40 years of racing heritage. AMG stands for the last name initials of Hans-Warner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher and the town Großaspach, Germany, where they initially set up shop. Aufrecht and Melcher were Mercedes-Benz engineers who left the company in 1967 to modify Mercedes cars for customers who wanted more performance. They were so successful in building cars that won races for the brand that in 1999, AMG became part of Mercedes-Benz.

MORE DELUXE. Going back to the GLA, the cabin resembles that of the A-Class but with more deluxe interior trimmings.  In the GLA AMG, silver chrome trim, high-gloss black and red contrasting topstitching enhance the sporty ambience of the interior with its leather seats, large central infotainment display, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, 450-watt Harman Kardon Logic surround sound system and brushed stainless steel pedals.

The front section of the GLA is roomy and the driving position is good, but behind the B-pillar headroom and legroom are not so.  Sitting in the back could feel claustrophobic as the tombstone-shaped front seats and their integrated headrests block the forward view.

Meanwhile, an article about a Mercedes would not be complete without mentioning the brand’s driver assistance and safety systems, intelligent technologies that make motoring much easier and safer. Mercedes-Benz, after all, pioneered technologies like the crumple zone, antilock brakes and electronic stability control.

There isn’t enough space to list all the safety features that the GLA test unit has, but here are a few: Attention Assist which detects the onset of drowsiness and alerts the driver; acceleration skid control; hill start assist; electronic stability program; ABS with brake assist; active parking assist with rear camera, six airbags and run-flat tires.

Bottom line, at P3.48 million, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 CDI 4Matic AMG is a sporty, stylish, and super-safe premium compact crossover that will give its competitors a run for their money.