A German, you say?
Yes. This is the GLA 200 AMG Line, a tiny crossover straight from the Stuttgart brand. Emphasis on tiny, because this looks more like a coupe than a quasi-SUV out of the box. Benz describes it as, “the ultimate companion for a versatile life.”
Well, is it?
In some ways, yes, its design might make it look small. But it’s actual dimensions (4,410mm x 1,834mm x 1,6111 with a 2,729mm wheelbase) make it bigger than the new and popular Toyota Raize, a rather small crossover in its own right. Still, it sits low to the ground for its segment, making ingress and egress a breeze.
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Where it fails in the versatility department is its interior space. Its crossover, yes, but the space inside is rather snug. It has a more ‘personal car’ than ‘passenger-friendly small SUV fit for your whole crew’ feel going for it. On the plus side, the rear hatch offers a deceptive amount of cargo space.
What about the design?
It’s quite a looker, this. Its coupe-like stature, long wheelbase, and low stance give it significant road presence. It looks cool from all angles, especially for the younger crowd it’s targeting. Up front, you get a trippy dotted fascia for a grille, with a big and bold Merc badge in the middle. These are complemented by black cladding along the lower part of the grille and air intake. The wheels, meanwhile, are stylish AMG-badged five-spoked numbers.
Along the sides, it gets a bunch of curves and a subtle line at the bottom to give off a bulbous appearance. In the rear, Merc keeps things simple, though you do get a chrome strip and twin exhaust tips at the bottom.
What else does it offer?
The Philippine-spec GLA runs on a 1.3-liter turbopetrol mill with 163hp and 250Nm on tap, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Its a zippy thing, this—not groundbreaking by any stretch, but certainly enough to make driving up empty multi-level parking lots interesting. Road comfort is mostly on the plush side, just as a good German should.
There are gadgets aplenty, too. There’s a 10.25-inch display in the middle with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, controlled either by touchscreen or the customary Benz touch pad. Other conveniences include active brake assist, active parking assist, multiple driving modes, power tailgate, electronically adjustable driver and front passenger seat with memory function and rain-sensing wipers,
Cool. How much?
Quite a bit. The advertised sticker price here is P3,850,000. For that, you get some of the conveniences of a crossover paired with a car-like driving experience, packaged in a stylish exterior that’ll give you confidence on whatever road you find yourself on. Think it’s worth it? Sound off below.
