I have a '21 GLA 45 AMG, exactly the same vehicle. I came from a '19 Corvette Z06 7-sp manual, and this Mercedes doesn't beat the crap out of me nearly as much. The 650 hp Z06 got better fuel economy, oddly enough, and my '08 Z06 regularly yielded 32 mpg highway. This Mercedes is ignored and overlooked. People don't know what it is, and that's okay with me. I like driving a "sleeper" for a change. If I catch someone in a Charger Hellcat at a stoplight and he's not paying close enough attention, I can take him 0-60 by using Race Start. This thing is a hoot. Also, in the 2 years I've had this crossover, I've had no problems at all, and not a single rattle or glitch. It's as solid as a bank vault. If this thing were a baseball player, it would be a "5-tool player." It does everything well. Fast, roomy, great handling, decent fuel economy, comfortable, luxurious, and it looks great. But the most fun is driving an apparent "grocery-getter soccer mom car" and being able to tick off 0-60 in 4.1 seconds.
I mean, it's Mercedes-AMG, I don't expect anything less from an AMG 2.0L turbo 4 (unless we're talking about the new C63, but that's a different story that we won't get into) I mean 382 HP for a 4-cylinder is nothing to laugh at, this is the most powerful 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder in production, and it's crazy how Mercedes-AMG got 382 HP out of this engine for being a 4 cylinder, let alone 416 HP from the higher tuned versions of this same engine in the A45 S or the CLA 45 S. I mean the GLA 35, which is detuned, still makes 302 HP, which is still nuts for a 4 cylinder.
the GLA makes me wish the MB had brought the A35/A45 hatch to the states instead of the sedan A35. The Golf GTI is popular here and they also launched the a35 right before Covid happened so likely that sales weren't helped by the lockdowns. The US is really in desperate need of a solid hot hatch. Right now Mazda is killing it with the 3 hatch (But that's missing a 6 sp manual in the top trim and AWD) and new Golf GTI has an interior that reminds me of dog water.
I had an A35 and kinda disagree. That sedan if it had the A/GLA 45 engine would sell like hotcakes. Such a tiny lil speed demon in my opinion. Hatch would be cool no doubt, just wouldn’t see like the golf or Mazda.
Ben, I appreciate the review but honestly, making some of the assessments you make on a car while driving in a parking lot and not exceeding 20-25 MPH is not that helpful. Your review, in my opinion, needs to be on regular roads and the highway. I mean, how can you really make a determination on suspension, handling, passing, etc in a parking lot?? I don't think you can.
it's a bad price... this is a luxury hatchback not a lux suv.... I even like it, not a hater but it doesn't make sense for more than 5 people to buy this
@@kheldaryt It's not 4.3. It's more around 4.0. Mercedes inflates their 0-60 times on all their cars. You can look up milesperhr review where he launched the car and got a 3.94 car and driver recorded a 3.9. This is the same case with other AMG models. The price is insane, but people buying this do not care.
@@shungitelover fair enough, just said stated because I'm pretty sure that's still what's stated and Layne wasn't credible.... I don't really have a problem with the car it's fun... just think it's kinda pointless because after a while someone will either realize they should have bough something much cheaper or actually nice.... it's just an expensive in between car... when you could get them a few years ago CPO for like high 30s-40 that kinda a reasonable proposition but just don't see the point.
These are great..... also pointless and a terrible long term value..... suppose if someone is in the tiny segment of people who want something like this and have the money then there aren't many competitors... otherwise not sure why you wouldn't save over 20k and get a golf R... i'm sure someone will say MB/Luxury but lol no one's actually going to be impressed with a small hatch MB.
so I was actually looking for a 2023 Golf R at $45k USD its a great car, though smaller and not as fast. When I talked to the VW dealer they wanted $60k for the Golf R and after talking to 3-4 different VW dealers they also all wanted 55-65K for the Golf R. So I ended up going with a 2021 GLA 45 AMG with 7.5k miles for $50k. MB is nicer all around, no golf R is worth over 45-46k to me
@@theday2learn it’s cool but you bought a used one. I was saying new vs new it makes no sense.. used they could make some sense. I was close to getting one cpo a few years ago…. Also Agree it would be dumb to overpay for a golf r, like them but they aren’t special…. I was just saying the new prices for gla 45 are nuts.
I can't believe you didn't run this thing through the wash rack before doing a video review. Seriously, especially in a dark color, the filthy car looks awful.
