Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI India review, test drive

We take the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GLA compact luxury SUV for a spin on Indian roads. Should Audi and BMW be worried? Read on to find out.

Published on Sep 17, 2014 12:39:00 PM

3,43,797 Views

Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI India review, test drive

Make : Mercedes-Benz

Model : GLA

What is it?

The GLA is Mercedes-Benz’s small SUV that is set to go head to head with the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo V40 Cross Country. It’s built on the same platform as the A- and B-class and, like the hatchbacks, carries Mercedes’s bold new design language rather well.

Mercedes-Benz GLA Price, Mileage, Specifications, Features and Variants
Brand	Mercedes-Benz
Model Name	GLA
Mercedes-Benz GLA Price	₹ 58.83 - 66.00 lakh
Mercedes-Benz GLA Range/Mileage	NA
Mercedes-Benz GLA Specifications	SUV \| 5 doors \| 5 seats View All Specs
Mercedes-Benz GLA Features	LED headlight \| 10.25-inch Touchscreen display \| 7 airbags View All Features
Mercedes-Benz GLA Variants	200 Petrol Progressive Line \| 220d Diesel Progressive Line \| 220d 4Matic Diesel AMG Line View All Variants

It’s not a very tall car and hence, easier to think of as a crossover than a proper SUV. To put things in perspective, its stance is somewhere between the estate-like X3’s and the more upright Q3’s. Whether that works for you or not, you’ll agree that the GLA does look quite striking in the flesh. The beautifully-detailed headlights and large grille up front, the swoopy curves on the sides and that wide-hipped rear give the GLA ample star quality.

The aluminium scuff-plate, roof rails and plastic cladding on the wheel arches also help the look, but perhaps not as much as the wheels. GLA for India comes with 18-inch wheels as standard and they do look very nice.