2017 MERCEDES BENZ GLA (X156) 220d 4MATIC 7AT AWD (177 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz refreshed its small-sized cross-over GLA in 2017, trying to keep up with its main rivals, BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

After four years on the market, the GLA needed an update, and the German premium carmaker tried its best to make it more appealing to the customers. It was the high-lifted version of the A-Class, and it came fitted with all-wheel drive system as standard for specific markets, although it was more of a vehicle ready to conquer a snowy road, not a muddy track.

At the front, the refreshed GLA received new daytime running lights inside the headlights, flanking the twin-slat grille at the front. Mercedes introduced the option for LED lights for both low and high beams. The two powerdomes on the hood tried to emphasize the car’s sporty character and the roof rails on the roof were good for transporting bicycles. At the back, the lower silver trim that mimicked a shield hosted the exhausts.

Inside, the GLA was big enough to accommodate four, even five people. There were two bucket seats at the front and a bench in the back. On the dashboard, the round vents were new, and also the floating infotainment system was mounted on top of the center stack.

Under the hood, the carmaker offered the GLA with a very wide engine range, either gasoline or turbo-diesel. A revised seven-speed automatic gearbox was also introduced. That sent the power in all corners via an intelligent system that split the torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels.