MUMBAI :

Let’s admit it – driving a Mercedes-Benz AMG is always a Yabadabadoo moment for most of us – and so, when we got the keys to a shiny new Mercedes-Benz GLA 200d 4MATIC AMG, inevitably a little madness ensued. No, we didn’t do a little birdie dance around the GLA, instead, we just sped off and as soon as we were on the highway with other cars seeming like little flying saucers in our ORVMs, we managed a little wiggly dance – with the GLA – merely an attempt at getting to know each other a bit better. So, did we hit it off? Read on to find out.

You will agree…the GLA, which takes on the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40 is not the most devastatingly handsome compact SUV out there. Sure, it gets the fabled Mercedes-Benz build quality and no doubt, it certainly looks solid and well-made but let’s just say that there are other more handsome SUVs in the Mercedes-Benz stable. However, like they say, “handsome is what handsome does” and make no mistake, the GLA certainly “does” quite a lot. (More on that in a bit.) 

For starters, it gets their famous diamond grille, and the Mercedes logo sits at the centre which looks rather attractive. The diamond grille is flanked by LED headlamps with really classy DRLs that instantly make the GLA recognizable even from a far-off distance. The ever so slightly scooped-out bonnet exudes a quiet strength with classy crease lines on it. One of the things we really liked on the GLA were the shutlines… incredibly well executed. We also felt that the squared off wheel arches looked striking on the GLA and that combined with the 19-inch double-spoke alloys on tsure did make the GLA stand out.

We also took a fancy to the way the roofline sloped sharply towards the rear, giving the GLA  a slightly rakish feel. The 435 liters of boot space can accommodate your family’s bags for those trips to the airport but frankly, when you see it with the spare wheel, it doesn’t feel like a whole lot. The rear, also, you’ll notice, isn’t anything to write home about. However, it is the unique LED tail lamps that we really liked and which do their bit to truly make the GLA stand out, especially during the night.

Inside, however, is a different story. The interiors of the GLA are first rate and exude a sophistication – the kind that Mercedes-Benz is renowned for. Metal, leather, glass, chrome, and satin aluminum finish are some of the materials and finishes used inside the GLA and each material and finish has been so well-employed that it truly elevates the GLA’s cabin to the next level.

Everything inside feels really well-built, and by that we mean, the seats, the dash (which uses hard plastics as well as metallic bits), the buttons and knobs – all of them clearly speak volumes about the attention that has been paid to the cabin to give it a modern and refined look and feel.

There is also the Mercedes-Benz MBUX system with a crystal-clear touchscreen which offers a host of comforts and safety features that you can avail of whilst seated in the GLA. Needless to say, Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also on offer.

The cabin also has enough stowage space for you to keep your knick-knacks while on the go and what you also get are a slew of other goodies such as wireless charging and 64-colour ambient lighting so that you can pick a colour to suit your mood.

An anomaly (now) or what we can also call – the future are the USB-C ports in the cabin, clearly a direction in which Europe is moving forward. The seats, both for the driver and occupants in the front as well as at the rear offer excellent thigh support and in fact, while the GLA also allows you to configure your seating the way you like it, the rear seat passengers can also get really comfortable with plenty of room behind, thanks to the unique way in which the front seats have been scooped out, thereby allowing for more leg room for the rear seat passengers. All in all, the cabin of the GLA is a very comfortable place to be and the overall visibility too is excellent, thereby making it a great choice for all those who prefer something more distinguished.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA 200d 4MATIC AMG is powered by a 4-cylinder 1950cc, diesel engine which is mated to an 8-Speed twin clutch gearbox that puts out a whopping 400 Nm of torque and 190hp@3800rpm. This is a beautiful diesel engine and though initially you will be able to hear the typical diesel clatter, drive it beyond the 2000rpm mark and you’ll notice how the engine just loses all the clatter and begins to purr beautifully. It is between the 2000-2500rpm that this engine truly shines. The steering isn’t heavy and makes for easy maneuvering, thereby making getting in and out of lanes super quick and super easy.

Overall, what the GLA offers is a pliant ride, and yes, though there is some body roll frankly, it is is barely noticeable. Rest assured, that when it comes to the driving dynamics of the GLA – you’ll definitely not be disappointed.

In terms of safety, you know only too well that Mercedes-Benz is not one to leave any stone unturned and so the GLA 200d 4MATIC AMG besides getting the regular safety features such as airbags, ESC and Hill Start Assist, also gets the more advanced features such as Autonomous Active Brake Assist and Active bonnet protection, to name a few and with these well-chosen safety features, you can be pretty sure of being safe on our highways, unless there is some pretty reckless driving involved. 

Overall. the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200d 4MATIC AMG is a great choice if you're looking for something compact that  fits within your INR 50 Lakh budget. It is well-built, feells extremely stable, is very comfortable inside, and comes loaded with a lot of Tech. As for us, we sure had a great time with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200d 4MATIC AMG.