Mercedes GLA redefines SUV compactness

German luxury auto pioneer Mercedes-Benz has wowed India for years now, and it just doesn’t cease to surprise. Each new model refresh, let alone altogether new models themselves, is testimony to the grace beyond words that is experienced each time the three-pointed star makes its way towards.

Graced with the same said experience when the smart SUV for the Merc stable GLA 220 d was for us to drive and test, it was ready to hit the road and also off-road.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d has been on Indian roads for quite a while. After its high-profile launch three years ago, the company did receive a lot of criticism for designing the vehicle more like a hatch than an SUV. However, two years hence, and the company has tuned the engine by making it more suitable to an SUV’s profile. Come 2017 and the company launched the facelift version two months ago, to which it has made special additions to boost the car’s appeal.

History lesson
The GLA is the smallest SUV in Mercedes’ India stable, and competes with the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The introduction of this car dates back to 2014, when it was launched with the two-wheel drive option only. By launching the little crossover, the company was able to build market share for itself by adding various versions.

In 2016, the company added the four-wheel-drive option on the GLA 220 d variant, which promised the buyer of taking the vehicle on to traversing mountains, valleys, sand and snow. It called the variant the ‘GLA Activity Edition’.

Less change, Style aplenty
With the latest 2017 model, at first look, it’s really hard for the car buyer to spot any changes in the all new facelift version of the GLA 220 d. Though the car looks more like its previous versions, the deep observation in the front and the rear will make one spot the difference. However, this is just the GLA 220 d, and need someone to explain the changes made?

As far as the exterior’s makeover is concerned, the company has not changed the mood of the small hatch styling similar to the A-Class, on which the car is based. The biggest change spotted on the front is the addition of LED headlights, new grille with twin-blade design and new cladding for the bumper in the lower part. The rear gets the redesigned crystal-effect LED tail lamps, and on the sides, the car sports a set of new five-spoke alloys, which makes it look more bulky.

Just like the outside, the changes in the interiors are also very minimal. The facelift edition boasts of ambient lighting technology with twelve different optional colours. A new instrument panel with multi-display of colours looks much better in the design now. The aluminum lining that runs across the dashboard and the stylish AC vents with aluminium bezels around them are more attractive and promising with the luxury within. However, the new cabin is more or less similar to the older one; just like the exteriors, the changes are subtle inside.

Feature list
Since the features already received a thumbs up with the earlier versions; the company has retained the same. The large panoramic sunroof, attention assist, powered tailgate, an eight-inch infotainment screen that supports Android and IOS. The little dial, which helps one navigate through various menus, is placed ergonomically next to the cup holders, making it easy to operate. A feature that is meant to be criticised is the reverse camera system not having any sensor warnings. Though it’s equipped with good resolution and a huge display, the addition of censor with audio warnings wouldn’t have bothered the company much. However, this missed demand from customers is unacceptable from a luxurious carmaker.

As bulky as this car looks, the space within the cabin that it gets is fabulous. Seating is more comfortable, when compared to the competition. The best part is the under-thigh rest support that is added to the front two seats. This can be termed as a boon when one is out on long drives. The headroom and legroom is sufficient for a normally-built adult.

Road testing
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d facelift displaces 2,143 cc and develops 170PS between 3,400-4,000rpm of power and 350Nm between 1,400-3,400rpm of torque. The engines of Mercedes GLA 220 d is loaded with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with five different drive modes. Comfort, Off-road, Eco, Sports and Individual are the different modes of the drive, which offers a different feel of driving, when each mode is turned on. The driver can actually feel the altering of the steering, throttle response, and the air conditioning, when the modes are changed. The Comfort mode is suitable for daily driving in normal traffic, while the Eco works well in bumper-to-bumper traffic movement of vehicles.

As the car comes to a halt, the fuel saving technology will turn the engine off. Automatic turning on is not an issue, as the response is much faster, compared with the manual key start. Switching to Sports mode makes the engine vigorous and gives the feel of sliding on a race track when one sees the needle sweep across the dial rapidly. The throttle response is more than enough in this mode. The car is just for some light off-roading with the four-wheel drive and sufficient ground clearance.

It’s not at all an option for the hardcore off-road enthusiast. To make it more suitable for off-roading, the carmaker has also added Hill Descent mode, which brings the GLA 220 d facelift version down the slope in a controlled manner. The hill descent mode in the car is effective.

The build of the car is the main drawback, especially in the narrow lanes. One has to find suitable parking space, and the width of the vehicle acquires half of the road and bothers the traffic movement. Though steering is nice with good feel, the driver still needs to be extra cautious and put some energy into fitting the big machine inside compact spaces. Especially in heavy traffic conditions, the drive gives a different feel altogether. This might be because of the different make of the bulky tyres. The good suspension and wheel radius is tailor-made for Indian roads that is filled with potholes. The hard suspension and the monster five alloy wheels make the ride smoother even on terrible roads. This also has good road grip and is sharp in turnings.

Even with the bulky body, we found the GLA 220 d better especially on bad roads. The luxurious car, an eye-catcher on the roads will surely make the passengers and driver feel special sitting inside the car.

Since the company launched the facelift, it could have come out with more changes that would be appealing.

However, it can just be termed as a plastic surgery over the old car. It’s an outstanding car away from a typical SUV, and needs an actual facelift in the future.

If you are looking for an entry-level luxury SUV with moderate off-roading capability, the GLA is the perfect choice. Even the price is affordable within the segment it operates, at Rs 36.75 lakh (ex-showroom Bengaluru), when compared to the competition. And the rollout of the GST has also brought down the facelift vehicle’s price by Rs 3 lakh.

So with all this, the GLA 220 d is an affordable luxurious mini SUV with a value for money proposition, and a Merc after all.