2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
- Roomier than you’d expect for a luxury urbanite
- Handsome interior
- Sporty by nature
- Generous standard equipment list
- MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) comes standard
- Pricing starts at $36,230 (plus $1,050 destination charge) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com
Giving the Audi Q3 a run for its money at the top of the subcompact luxury SUV ladder, the new-for-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 has displaced the little Audi from the top of our Best Buy podium for subcompact luxury SUVs for 2021.
At a time when the segment is hotter than ever, Mercedes committed itself to doing great things at the entry level. The company replaced the old GLA with a model that’s shorter, but roomier, and packed with style and substance. This new 5-passenger subcompact strikes a modern look that is more SUV than ever, while still lathering lots of Mercedes-Benz elegance and ability.
Hey Seattle, San Francisco, Boulder, Burlington: Your ride is here.
No matter the city in which you live, if you’ve ever considered your daily routine to be an adventurous, upscale urban “lifestyle,” then the Mercedes GLA is bound to find a spot on your short list.
Smart engineering on the behalf of Mercedes achieved a very light platform that makes the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine’s 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque more substantial than it would be in a heavier vehicle. The 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission does a great job of distributing that power to the front wheels, or, if you decide to up your game to 4Matic all-wheel drive, all four corners.
Our test notes for the GLA include the phrase “blind easy to drive,” which sounds a bit odd now that we see it in print. What it means, however, is that the GLA 250 has no fussiness, quirkiness, or moments when its focus is on anything but fulfilling the driver’s wishes. Hoofing it hard around corners requires that you pay appropriate attention, but the solidity of the chassis and the ability of the GLA to work corners is never in doubt.
Plenty of Mercedes character in a subcompact SUV package
Great-looking both inside and out, the GLA 250 displays its German roots proudly, from the LED headlights and strong exterior stance that belies its size to the firm, supportive seats on the inside that make long journeys easier on your back. Modern but elegant, the interior is set off by the edgy air vents, the digital instrument panel, and the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.
Standard equipment highlights include a power liftgate, 8-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, and a 7-inch digital touchscreen that integrates the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. Answering to the voice command: “Hey Mercedes,” MBUX can be configured to do everything from adjusting vehicle settings to answering questions (much like Siri or Google Assistant).
While interior headroom is abundant, 2nd-row legroom can feel compromised. What starts off as moderate rear cargo space expands to a generous 50.5 cu ft. of very usable space with the rear seats folded down.
Highly accessible luxury value
In many ways, calculating luxury value is different than assessing the straight-ahead dollar-saving. People just feel different about their vehicle when it has German luxury heritage. No other German carmaker – with the possible exception of Porsche – buttons up that feeling of assured pride than Mercedes-Benz. The new GLA reaffirms that pride from every angle and at every touchpoint.
Even luxury value, however, requires some of that good, old-fashioned money saving to win a KBB Best Buy award, too. And the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 nails that smart-money bullseye at most every level.
The initial price of a front-wheel-drive GLA 250 is $36,230 (plus $1,050 destination). That starting price is a bit higher than the competition, but the fuel economy – 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway – is better than most (we dare you to pretend that doesn’t matter). Bigger and better still, KBB calculates that the GLA will hold its value superbly over time, eclipsing its rivals when the time comes to sell it as a used car. With depreciation being the biggest cost that a car owner needs to contend with, that holds massive value.
If peace of mind is how you define value, the new GLA offers some of the most popular safety features at every level. These include forward-collision automatic emergency braking and an active blind-spot monitoring system that not only warns you if there’s another vehicle in the lane you want to turn into, it’ll also apply the brakes on one side of the GLA to direct you away from a possible impact.
Photo Tour: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
More 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Build and price your 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com.
