Mercedes GLA class side

Mercedes GLA 200 / GLA 200 CDI Review: Swanky Drifter

Mercedes GLA class front (14)

The GLA Class, much like its smaller hatchback sibling, the A-Class invoked extremely positive reactions upon its concept debut early in 2013. With its aggressive stance, a sporty, dropping roofline, squat, ready for action deportment and a tastefully designed rear, the GLA left the compact crossover fans across the world salivating. Though based on the underpinnings of the smaller A- and B-Class hatchbacks, the GLA manages to look muscular and has an air of unusual swagger about it.

Mercedes GLA class front (9)

Up front, the GLA does resemble its smaller A-Class sibling. The shape of the headlamps, the new M-B trademark crease on the sides, travelling through the doors and merging into the headlamps, and a familiar grille are the primary giveaways. Up front, the point where the GLA takes a deliberate diversion from the A-Class’s styling route is through the more muscular bonnet with a bunch of strong creases. Helping the bonnet’s muscular cause is that large bumper featuring large intakes in place where you generally see fog-lamps on a car. There is also a massive central air dam finished in satin silver with black surrounds doubling up as under-cladding. Up front, that bumper plays a pivotal role in lending the GLA its crossover attitude.

Mercedes GLA 200 CDI Sport (17)

The radiator grille features two prominent slats finished in Silver with chrome highlights holding the massive triple pointed star in the middle. The raked windscreen ends at the highest point on the roof, which keeps dropping all through its length to lend the GLA a sporty, coupe like stance. The front fenders are flared, with black under-cladding which lines the bottom portion of the car all around. That little is significant in lending the GLA the authority to lay its claim over the ‘crossover’ tag, at least in visual terms.

Mercedes GLA 200 CDI Sport (12)

In profile, the new signature Mercedes Styling cues, seen earlier on the S- and the C-class are to be witnessed on the GLA as well. To rearwards tapering creases, are the most defining aspect of the modern Mercedes cars, and the GLA follows the norm. ORVMs are familiar M-B units, and also mark the beginning of a sportily styled greenhouse with chrome lined window sills which are slightly upswept towards their wee end. The GLA gets a pronounced bulge above the rear wheel arches to add significant muscle and character to its stance. That detail has been fantastically executed and adds tremendously to the GLA’s dramatic appearance. Flanking the top part of the roof are two satin silver finished rails, which offer contrast on darker shades.

Mercedes GLA class details (15)

Looking at the car straight from its rear end draws attention to the unusual width of the car for its size. The width of the lower portion is significantly more as compared to the volume encapsulated by the greenhouse. The generous mass represented by the car’s haunches and the big bumpers endows it with a powerfully built attitude. The egg shaped tail-lamps are lit on the outlines by LED lighting and are sliced in two by the reverse light. They are joined by a horizontal chrome slat, under which you have a hexagonal recess for the license plate. Between the chrome garnish and another prominent horizontal crease above it is the space housing the three pointed star at the rear. The legendary M-B emblem is flanked by the GLA 200 and CDI badging in case of the diesel variant, and has just the GLA 200 lettering to its left for the petrol variant.

Mercedes GLA class interior (7)

The wide loading lip for the boot has a ribbed chrome surface adding to the premium quotient. Under this, you have the rear parking sensors lined up horizontally. The layer of black plastic inserts to underscore the car’s off-roading capability followed by a satin silver insert with an integrated faux diffuser ends the design business at the rear. The rectangular chrome tipped twin exhausts add to the attitude and look fantastic

Mercedes GLA 200 CDI Sport (14)

A very interesting detail on the GLA is the sportily styled rear spoiler, which drops in line with the roof. It is preceded by a very interestingly detailed roof end finished like a diffuser. Looked upon from the rear, thanks to the dropping roofline, the styling element enchants those following the car.

Mercedes GLA class side (2)

In all, the GLA, even after sharing its FWD layout and chassis with the smaller A- and B-class cars manages to metamorphose into something which’s got a distinct character of its own. It’s not a big car, so the drama exuded by it in the pictures gets a little watered down when you see it in the flesh, but it still manages to charm the onlookers with its flamboyance, attention to detail and bold attitude. It wouldn’t be wrong to term the GLA as the most visually appealing machine when compared to the X1 and the Q3 which are its closest rivals.

Next page for images of some of the finer details >>>

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