Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA

Here is the most affordable new Mercedes-Benz SUV. Yet it still comes with the kind of features that make the company’s vehicles so desirable. The current generation GLA debuted for the 2021 model year, and won our luxury subcompact SUV Best Buy award two years in a row.

A subcompact SUV is ideal for city driving. The raised driving position enhances outward vision, and the modest dimensions make parking or getting through that tight gap nice and easy.

That’s how the 2023 GLA rolls — in a luxurious way, of course. It’s comfortable, yet quite lively. Or thrilling in AMG form. And all-wheel drive (AWD) is available for when the weather turns ugly. Standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking provide extra reassurance.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of luxury subcompact SUVs, including this Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

For the most part, the 2023 GLA meets the luxury subcompact SUV class standards in materials, build quality, comfort, and interior design.

The minor exception is sound insulation. Considering this is a Mercedes-Benz, and the GLA is among the priciest contenders, road noise should be almost nonexistent. It does exist, though. Not at unbearable levels, but enough to notice.

Occupant space, however, is one of the many virtues of the GLA. Rear legroom beats the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. That’s good news for adults sitting in the back as well as parents wanting to fit rear-facing child seats.

That does mean a trade-off with cargo. Behind the rear seats is just 15.4 cubic feet of luggage space compared to 23.7 and 25.7 cubic feet of the Q3 and X1, respectively. That’s a call each buyer will have to make according to their requirements.

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
The navigation system in the Multimedia Package uses a forward-facing camera to show 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 Package
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. This package also includes front/rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system.

Driver Assistance Package
Although the 2023 GLA has some driver aids as standard, this package is more comprehensive — with active assistance for changing lanes, evasive steering, and emergency stops, plus adaptive cruise control with route-based speed adjustments.

Burmester audio
This is optional across the 2023 GLA range. It’s a fantastic 12-speaker/590-watt surround-sound system. Considering how often we all use our cars’ stereos, it’s almost a necessity to have a high-quality setup.

AMG models
OK, they cost quite a bit, and not everyone needs their luxury subcompact SUV to zip from a standstill to 60 mph in five seconds or less. But these machines are much more than just powerful engines. They have upgraded suspensions and brakes to match, along with more equipment. And there’s no real rival to the GLA 45.

Every 2023 GLA SUV employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine on a diet of premium gasoline, but there are some crucial differences that we’ll get into right away.

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). 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 258 lb-ft of torque.

At the pinnacle of GLA performance stands the GLA 45; its hand-assembled engine (an AMG tradition) generates 382 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This goes to all four wheels.

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.

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 city/highway fuel economy: 24/34 mpg (FWD), 23/32 mpg (AWD)

AMG GLA 35
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
302 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg

AMG GLA 45
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
382 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
354 lb-ft of torque @ 4,750-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/25 mpg

More Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

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 luxury vehicles.