THE 2024 MERCEDES-BENZ GLA IS PURE DRIVING PLEASURE

When it comes to luxury and pure driving pleasure, this small SUV dazzles.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA pricing

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA starts at $42,150. This is for the GLA 250 with FWD. Adding AWD is another $2,000. The priciest variant is the AMG GLA 35, with an entertaining 302 horsepower and AWD as standard, and costing $56,450.

The pricing of the GLA is similar to its closest rival, the BMW X2.

These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and do not include the $1,150 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Before buying a new GLA subcompact luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The GLA is among the class leaders in resale value.

See: The BMW X2 is totally revamped for 2024, with more interior space and the latest tech

What’s new for 2024

The Mercedes-Benz GLA gets a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year. It gets an aesthetic refresh that includes new LED headlights, a hybrid-assist system for the engine, and a new standard infotainment system with a 10.3-inch screen. The high-performance AMG GLA 35 model gets similar updates, but the more muscular GLA 45 has been discontinued.

Driving the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA

If we didn’t already know, you would have a hard time convincing us that the GLA is Benz’s entry-level vehicle. It neither feels nor drives that way. You don’t even need to step up to the higher-performance AMG version to appreciate the GLA’s nimble handling and satisfying acceleration. No, it doesn’t possess blistering quickness; however, it gets up and goes with determination. We also applaud how easy it is to maneuver through traffic and squeeze into parking spaces larger vehicles simply can’t negotiate.

Of course, if you crave more performance, the AMG GLA 35 stands at the ready. Moreover, if you live somewhere requiring all four wheels to motivate your ride or want to do some light off-roading, pony up another $2,000 for the 4Matic AWD system.

With rivals like the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3 also delivering excellent driving dynamics, the GLA more than holds its own in terms of performance and handling among subcompact luxury SUVs.

We would like the cabin to be a bit quieter but that’s about our only caveat to the driving experience.

Also see: Why the Genesis GV70 is a best buy among compact luxury SUVs

Passenger-friendly cabin

A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is now standard on all GLA models.

In terms of the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship, the GLA cabin generally rises to the standards of the luxury subcompact SUV segment. However, as one of the pricier entries in that arena, we would expect a quieter interior. Road noise, in particular, seeps through whatever sound insulation the GLA provides. It’s not unbearable but noticeable. Mercedes hasn’t promised a quieter cabin as part of the 2024 enhancements, but we’ll report back when it’s available to drive toward the end of 2023.

A benefit to adult rear-seat dwellers, backseat legroom is better than that of the Q3 or the X1. That also is convenient for parents concerned with rear-facing child seats.

Sadly, that extra rear leg space translates into less cargo room. At 15.4 cubic feet, the GLA has less behind the second-row seat cargo capacity than the Q3 at 23.7 or the X1 at 25.7. It’s a tradeoff.

Also worth mentioning is how interior space in the slightly coupe-like GLA compares to the more traditionally styled Mercedes-Benz GLB. The GLB wins the day with more maximum cargo space (62.0 cubic feet vs. 50.5) and the more squared-off roof does make a difference. Consequently, we find we have a better chance of loading odd-shaped cargo into the GLB than the GLA.

Check out: 10 of the best luxury cars you can get for less than $40,000

An updated nose

Mildly revised front and rear styling add a freshness to the 2024 model, but don’t much impact the overall appearance of the GLA.

Our favorite features and tech

MBUX

The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is the grand title of the infotainment system, responding to voice commands using natural speech (start by saying: “Hey, Mercedes …”). Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.

Augmented Reality

A forward-facing camera shows real-time images on the touchscreen, which then superimposes things like house numbers and direction arrows, making life easier when driving to an unfamiliar location.

Parking assistance

This is a self-parking feature working for parallel and perpendicular spaces. It finds a suitable spot, then does the steering, gear shifting, and braking.

Driver assistance

Active assistance for changing lanes, evasive steering, and emergency stops, plus adaptive cruise control with route-based speed adjustments.

Burmester audio

Even the lowest-priced Mercedes offers high-end sound via available Burmester audio. Considering how often we all use our cars’ stereos, it’s almost a necessity to have a high-quality setup.

AMG model

OK, it costs quite a bit, and not everyone needs their luxury subcompact SUV to zip from a standstill to 60 mph in five seconds. But this machine is much more than just a powerful engine. It has upgraded suspensions and brakes to match, along with more equipment.

You might like: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA review: Pricing, specs and more for this stylish, subcompact, luxury sedan

A powertrain for every need

The most affordable new GLA is the 250, with 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. In entry-level form, this drives the front wheels (FWD). That horsepower number falls between the Q3’s 184 and the decidedly more powerful X1’s 241. Of course, with the MHEV comes that brief burst of 13 extra horsepower. Although the acceleration doesn’t pin you to your seat, we find the power more than sufficient for people-hauling duties.

The Mercedes-Benz corporate term for all-wheel drive (AWD) is 4Matic. Unsurprisingly, this comes with the GLA 250 4Matic. Same engine, same power.

Things take a spicier turn with the AMG-tuned GLA 35, which has AWD as standard, plus an engine developing 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It also benefits from that MHEV 13-horsepower burst.

All GLA models also have an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like their engines, the AMG versions have their transmissions and AWD systems tuned to take the extra power and respond quicker.

Mercedes has yet to release the updated fuel-economy numbers for the GLA. At this point, we don’t know if adding the MHEV system into the mix will affect the government’s estimated mileage. We’ve included the 2023 estimated mileage as a reference. The X1 delivers an estimated 28 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, while the Q3 gets 25 mpg.

GLA 250/250 4Matic

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine

221 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm

258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm

EPA fuel economy (2023): 28 mpg (24 city/34 highway), AWD: 26 mpg (23 city/32 highway)

AMG GLA 35

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine

302 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm

295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,000 rpm

EPA fuel economy (2023): 25 mpg (22 city/29 highway)

4-year/50,000-mile warranty

The new-vehicle warranty that comes with a 2023 GLA-Class lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury vehicles, but many luxury marques offer longer powertrain warranties.

KBB’s car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.