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Mercedes GLA car review – Merc joins battle for compact SUV sales

There’ll be anxious looks around BMW and Audi when the new A-Class based compact SUV starts biting chunks out of their market share.
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5 April 2014

 

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Mercedes has entered a booming sector with a premium contender. It will do well

Business Car Manager Verdict

Compact premium-badged SUVs are definitely ‘in’ (just ask Audi with the Q3 or BMW with the X1/X3). So the Mercedes GLA is very much a car of our times and at first sight looks an absolute home run for Mercedes.

Mercedes_GLA_review
The allure of that badge tops a tempting package

After all, what’s not to like in a stylised, convenient, car-sized crossover-meets-SUV that handles well, offers over 50mpg and looks/feels a quality item both inside and out. Coupled with one of the most coveted badges in the business….

Of course, all that comes at a price and it could be that the GLA takes some of the sales action away from the A-Class, CLA and B-Class, so it remains to be seen how that exactly pans out for Mercedes.

Of the GLA launch range, this 220 CDI is arguably the pick of the bunch. Yes, the entry 200 CDI has better/cheaper eco/BIK numbers, but the 220 CDI has more pep and is not so far off on cost. The petrol GLA 250 is the most fun but 154g/m and 42.8mpg will immediately rule it out for some.

The SE spec would also be our pick over the more overt AMG treatment, tried here, although if you want show as well as go, no doubt AMG is the way.

While some might consider the GLA a little contrived, it’s still overall a highly tempting package, built around those proven A-Class mechanicals and extensive Mercedes company car back-up. It’s exactly the kind of model the market’s hot for right now, so…watch it go.  

 

The Low Down…

Doors and body style 5-door hatchback/SUV 
Engine/gearbox  2.1 litre 4-cyl turbodiesel/7-speed automatic, 4WD
CO2 Emissions  132g/km
Economy  55.4mpg
Power/torque  170PS/350Nm
0-62mph/top speed  8.3secs/134mph
Insurance group  29

…and what it costs

P11D Value  £30,850
Monthly business rental (ex VAT)  From £404 (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED)  Band E
Company Car Tax Bands 2014/15 to 2016/17  22%, 24%, 23%
Benefit in kind (BIK) 2014/15 to 2016/17  £6787, £7404, £7096
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%)  £955/£80
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%)  £1910/£159
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%)  £1357/£113
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%)  £2715/£226
Figures correct at time of posting  
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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