2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class - Review and Road Test 

I just scored a 2015 GLA250 for a sweet price, and I am loving everything so far. I put 180k miles on my old pathfinder, we were struggling for the past year, so it was quite the upgrade for me. Since i am small, the compact size is a non-issue for me. I cannot wait for my first road trip! Music up, windows down!! \m/

The GLA 4matic works for me (I am in my 50's, but feels and act like a 30 year old). My GLA 4Matic climbs hills really well. I take the canyon roads and can be at the beach in 20 minutes. I like the glass sunroof. I installed parallel racks and can pretty much strap anything down (kayak, surfboard, etc.). The back seats are a bit tight for anybody over 5'8''. The leather seats in front are pretty comfortable. The navigator and stereo are very good. Although, I still use my iPhone to find the fastest route. Now that my kids are out of the house, it's just my wife and I, so I smaller car works well for us. Cheers!

Drove one as a loaner .I am 5 foot 7 .I was very comfortable.Not as quiet as the E350 but still nice.

After 8 months of driving a GLA250 4MATIC, I have to honestly say the best thing about it is its design. It's gorgeous inside and out. BUT, the ride is honestly terrible for a Mercedes. You would be shocked at the difference between the ride of the GLA and the C class. The GLA is WAY too firm, and you feel every imperfection of the road beneath you. There is too much body lean on turns. The transmission is smooth some days and choppy/sluggish on others. It also rattles, which is extremely annoying. Visibility is mediocre and the car seems a bit claustrophobic sometimes. No headroom. Mine was 44k and still didn't have real leather, a sunroof, a keyless go, a parking sensor, or xenon headlamps/LED tail lamps. Of course, I'm complaining about a Benz. It's still a good car; it just lacks refinement. Oh, and get rid of those nasty plastics on the dash. For the next GLA: 1 inch larger in every dimension, give it the new 9-speed, make the suspension softer, get rid of the excessive plastic, and give it standard xenon.

I only paid 11,000.00 cash for a 2015 GLA 250 GLA Class AMG Red Cherry 130,000 on it , and it drives like a car that only has 30 ,000 on it, so smooth, so quiet , so immaculate, it was kept up on all its maintenance, no accidents, excellent Car fax , I feel great about my purchase ! I am so enjoying this car , I'm 55 and only 5'2 145 lbs so it's just me and my cat so it's my retirement car I'm about to start traveling and just enjoying life , I'm a retired Sous Chef and I own a Transport Taxi service, ex Rideshare Driver, about to work part time, take it easy

Your reviews are awesome! Keep it up!!

5 days in a Mercedes GLA250 4Matic was enough for me. The car had huge blind spots as a result of the "dramatic" rear styling; C-pillars were wider than any other car I've seen in this class. I hit my head several times in routine driving on the encroaching B-pillar plastic trim inside. The driving dynamics were all but masked by overly aggressive electronics- everything is so automated or lacking in feedback it was more like piloting a video game than driving. The gimmicky electronic gear shift that looks like a turn signal stalk was touchy. The car engaged the electronic emergency brake EVERY time you put it in park. Auto engine start/stop would shut the car off when you come to a stop, only to start up again when putting the car into park even if you didn't move. I can't imagine a starter lasting more than just a few years because of this. The Harmon Kardon stereo was hollow and tinny even after attempting to "fine tune" it. Mercedes gives you bass, mid, and treble adjustments only?! Station information failed to update and the default home screen on the multi-purpose display had a layout which included a clock in size 6 font and song/artist information scrolling in the very center only. If you wanted to know what was going on you had to take your eyes off the road and search the middle of a 1"x2" section of the otherwise blank 8" display. The automatic windshield wipers either went too fast or too slow for conditions. The power driver seat even with all the adjustments had a seating position so high that both myself and the girlfriend (5'10") were within a half an inch of forehead meeting roof. This was not a sunroof/glass roof model so I presume it would be even worse on a higher trim that typically loses headroom to accommodate the sliding mechanism.Short of being impressed by the very thick door hinges, and admittedly great fit and finish, I cannot think of a bigger waste of $36k for a sub-compact suv other than those concerned with badge envy. No offense to any who drive a Mercedes, but for me this car was uncomfortable, loud inside, and rode poorly.

It´s a hot hatch !!! I love it .

Having driven a rental GLA 200 CDI from Europcar in London early this month, I can safely say that its attractive car which catches the attention of many enthusiasts . I drove it 1600 miles all over UK . But its cramped for the driver. I am 5' 9" and my left knee was getting ja,,ed against the steering wheel and the center console. The aluminum fascia looked cheap and the backseats were cramped. It will not take two airline check in bag in the trunk and the rear visibility is poor. Its drives spiritedly , the diesel engine is responsive and gave me 55mpg on the motorway and 35 mpg in the city. Column mounted shifter is very nice as it frees up center console for storage. I did not like the engine shutting at traffic stops when brake pedal is fully pressed. But does starts promptly. Parking is easier as it has a tight turning radius. But its a small car for short women. :)) Not worth the money they charge for it unless you are a short woman who wants to drive a Mercedes Benz for showing off.

❤ I got a great deal on this car loving it !

A useful car in Europe where something like an ML320 would be way too big to navigate small streets, and park.

Great review!!

To me, the CLA seems like the better buy -- if you're going to get something that isn't super-roomy, you might as well have it in a slicker (and slightly more affordable) design.

Just saw this car in person for the first time today and it actually looks very nice and expensive...looks like a 50k car not 35k.

I love it!

Should I pay an extra six grand for a Mercedes glc?? It has more room

I'm getting one

305hp? I thought it was 355

but does it AMG 65?

whats next mercedes!? A100 AMG?!?!?!??!?!?

Can someone explain why it’s not good to buy these cars at 129,000 miles ? Do cars keep running well? I was told they stop working around 200,000

pretty sure the gla as 355 ??

something about Mercedes new exteriors and interiors just seems uninteresting.

this whole segment doesn't interest me. posche 911 or cayenne for me. plus a prius for that gas mileage.

my grandam going to get one of those pieces of shit

Do a review on the 2016 kia sorento

A Buick should never be compared to a Mercedes.

BMW X1 is much better than GLA

I thought the GLA has less cargo behind the rear seat than the BMW X1. You guys may need to fact check on that one!

Nice

LOL

Status car...good luck getting mug.

Wow...one of the first times the AMG version looks worse than the standard model. Looks like a 90's Civic.

If you buy this particular Mercedes you are buying it for the brand. This car is cramped, slow for the price and visibility is poor. It looks nice and that's about it. You can get better options and more premium options in a new 2017 Buick Encore which is what I'm waiting for t come out. It's a shame because I really wanted to get the GLA until I sat in one and felt like I couldn't breathe. I'm a woman and I can't have my hair up in this car which is important.

GLA45 has more than 305 hp...cmon you couldn't get that straight ?!!

It's so ugly though

they look terrible, like squashed toad, in real life