2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA45: 5 Things We Like and 5 We Don’t

Car buyers looking for a high-performance subcompact SUV don’t have a lot of choices, particularly if they’re looking for one that has a track mode for turning hot laps at the local racecourse.

That may be because few shoppers in this class are planning to go racing with their new SUV — but for those who are, Mercedes-Benz offers the GLA45.

Related: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 Review: Upright and Awkward

A taller version of the A-Class subcompact sedan, the GLA is available in several flavors. The GLA45 sits at the top of the range and gets an in-house makeover from Mercedes-Benz performance shop, AMG. The modifications include beefier and stickier tires, a revised suspension, various other performance tweaks, cosmetic upgrades and a whole lot more horsepower. The result is a really fast, luxurious and technologically advanced subcompact SUV, right down to the previously referenced track mode for those who want to go racing. (It’s also really expensive.)

While there’s a lot we like about the GLA45, we walked away from a week with it somewhat confused about its mission and intended audience. For Cars.com’s complete evaluation, click the link above to read Aaron Bragman’s review. For a quick look at what’s good and what isn’t, read on. Here are five things we like about the Mercedes-AMG GLA45, and five we’re not so crazy about.

Things We Like

1. Power

Under the hood of the GLA45 lies one of its finest attributes, a hand-built 382-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 351 pounds-feet of torque. Mercedes claims it’s the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever installed in a production model, and we have little reason to doubt that. With more power than many V-8 engines, acceleration is impressively quick, booting the GLA45 from 0-60 mph in a claimed 4.3 seconds.

2. Ride Quality

The GLA45 rides well for a subcompact SUV, especially one tuned for performance, and sits on 19-inch wheels. Road imperfections are gobbled up with ease, and a choice of three selectable modes lets you tune the AMG-developed springs and shock absorbers to suit your preferences and driving conditions whether you’re driving on the highway, city streets, back roads or, yes, on a racetrack.

3. Interior

Few carmakers can rival Mercedes for interior quality and luxury, and the GLA45 is no exception. Soft-touch surfaces and real metal trim abound, and the glove-soft leather upholstery looks and feels worthy of the best luxury sedans. All the switchgear responds with a solid and satisfying feel, and the front seats are comfortable and supportive with lots of adjustability.

4. Cargo Space

For all its focus on performance, the GLA45 remains ready for practical subcompact SUV duty, with a generous cargo area for its size. The power tailgate raises to accommodate larger items behind the 40/20/40-split, reclining rear seatbacks, which can be folded in a variety of positions for carrying both passengers and longer items. They can also be locked in a more upright position to maximize cargo room without folding the seats.

5. Multimedia System

The GLA45 gets the latest version of Mercedes’ excellent MBUX multimedia system, which remains easy to use. With natural voice controls that let you speak commands in conversational language rather than specific commands, hand gesture control that can let the driver or front passenger turn on an overhead map light by pointing at it, and augmented reality icons for the navigation system, the system is both impressive and user-friendly.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Transmission

Unfortunately, the powerful engine in the GLA45 is let down by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that isn’t up to the job of smoothly getting all that horsepower to the ground. The transmission feels frustratingly lethargic, particularly around town. Getting back on the throttle after slowing for a corner can lead to an agonizingly slow response time followed by an explosive burst of power.

2. Steering and Handling

For all its power, big wheels and tires, and sophisticated AMG performance suspension with electronic controls, the GLA45 doesn’t feel all that sporty from behind the wheel. Part of the problem is the transmission’s slow response, but the GLA45 also suffers from overly boosted power steering that doesn’t feel all that engaging regardless of which setting you choose.

3. Rear-Seat Room

Even within the realm of compact SUVs, rear-seat room is not all that generous in the GLA45. Headroom is decent and rear passengers are treated to reclining rear seatbacks, but the GLA45 is best suited for couples or families with smaller children.

4. Generic Styling

The GLA is not a bad looking vehicle, but there’s nothing to really make it stand out in a crowded field of similar-looking small SUVs — many of which cost considerably less. You do get a big three-pointed star on the hood and the splashy Mercedes grille, plus the AMG treatment lends a more aggressive look with its fender flares, dual exhausts and other mods. It’s not all boring, but Bragman says “it’s nothing to get your heart racing.”

5. Price

The cost of entry may not be much of a concern for the GLA45’s target audience, but it’s one expensive subcompact SUV. Prices start at $55,550 (prices include destination), and our test car came to $62,150. For that kind of coin, there are a number of other vehicles to choose from with similar performance and better handling and transmission response. It’s all about how much that three-pointed star means to you.

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