Mercedes-Benz GLA Arrives In Ireland (2020)

Mercedes-Benz Ireland has announced that the new Mercedes-Benz GLA is now available in Ireland.

This is the second generation of the compact SUV from the German brand. The GLA is based on the new generation of the A-Class family of vehicles but with crossover style and a higher ride height than the likes of the A-Class hatchback and the CLA saloon.

The GLA was first introduced 6 years ago and met the demand for more SUV inspired vehicles with lots of rugged features and extra body cladding. It was facelifted in 2017 to keep it fresh. Now the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA builds on the originals success with refreshed looks, updated interior and more space inside the car.

The new GLA joins an expanding line-up of Mercedes-Benz SUVs that includes the first ever Mercedes-Benz GLB compact SUV, the recently updated GLC and the new GLE, which we reviewed towards the end of 2019.

What’s new for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA?

Described by Mercedes-Benz as ‘a sporty, lifestyle-oriented’ partner to the GLB, the GLA will be available here in a choice of two trims – Progressive and AMG Line.

This is a segment that is growing in value for Mercedes-Benz against a sales backdrop of more than 6.5 milllion units worldwide, so the brand has set to the task of enhancing the new GLA’s sporty appeal and interior spaciousness.

In that spirit, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA is now more than 100 mm taller with more interior headroom for driver and front passenger and considerably greater rear legroom for rear seat passengers. Rear seats come with 40:20:40 split.

The new GLA is a still a little bit shorter than the model it replaces but track width has been increased by four centimetres, which should improve handling. There’s a small bit more ground clearance. Buyers will also love that boot volume has been increased. For more practicality, the rear seats can now slide by up to 140 mm. A height-adjustable boot floor is standard and when set in the correct position with rear seat backrests folded down, can be transformed into an almost flat loading area extending to the front seats.

What engines are available?

The new GLA is available with a suite of the brand’s latest four-cylinder petrol and diesel engine series for their new generation compact models. At launch there are four turbo petrols and three turbo diesel versions.

Petrol models include a GLA 200 1.3-litre 163hp, a GLA 250 2.0-litre 224hp, and GLA 250 4MATIC. The AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45 will also be available to order at the launch date.

Diesel versions, are all 1.9-litre units including GLA 200d 150hp, GLA 200d 4-MATIC 150hp and a 190hp GLA 220d and GLA 220d 4MATIC. There’s also a 180d 1.5-litre diesel and a plug-in petrol electric variant on the way.

Inside the new Mercedes-Benz GLA

The interior sports a new generation Benz interior with a contemporary, high-quality look. There is a new free-standing driver instrument and infotainment display with the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system as standard. It can be operated by voice control using ‘Hey Mercedes’ commands as well as by using touch-control pads mounted on the steering wheel.

More typical of an SUV, the seating position for driver and front passenger is higher and more upright while all-round visibility has also been improved.

A host of safety and driver assistance systems are provided in a comprehensive Driver Assistance Package that includes automatic inputs to assist drivers with routine and accident avoidance emergency braking, distance control, parking, steering, lane keeping, blind spot observation, speed limit keeping, driver fatigue alerts, and more.

One intriguing feature is a car wash function. With a single command, exterior mirrors fold inwards, side windows and sliding roof close, rain sensor is inactivated and other settings disabled – all of which can be automatically deactivated when the driver exits the carwash!

Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Ireland said:

“The arrival of the new GLA is being supported with attractive price and purchase finance arrangements pitched competitively against those of its main rivals and broadly in harmony with those of its predecessor.”