STEVENSON, Wash. – At this level, absolutely anything may have the time period “crossover” utilized to it. It is inherently imprecise, and we have lengthy since moved past the strict definition of an “SUV with a unibody platform.” So if one needs to think about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 a crossover, positive, why not?
That mentioned, in idea and execution, the GLA 35 is de facto simply an extra-large sizzling hatch. A VW Golf R for these with higher utility wants. Or luxurious wishes. Our take a look at automobile did not even have tinted rear home windows, which is as a lot of a crossover staple as something. And thru that XL sizzling hatch lens, the AMG GLA 35 is much extra compelling.
It’s, after all, a member of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and by extension the whole Mercedes compact front-drive household that additionally consists of the GLB-Class, A-Class and CLA-Class. Though their base engines differ and a few go with out the complete habanero AMG 45, all can be found as an AMG 35 that shares a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All of them have AMG variants of 4Matic all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated handbook. In fact, with its higher measurement and weight, the GLA variant is slower than its sedan siblings, however it nonetheless rips from zero to 60 mph in a cool 5.1 seconds. That is faster than a Honda Civic Kind R.
As with most 2.0-liter turbos, this one delivers rapid low-end torque and never a lot character. Fortunately, the GLA 35’s different powertrain parts make up for that. The throttle and transmission are alive and keen to reply to your inputs, consistently partaking the motive force the second you get beneath manner. Even Consolation mode is agreeably responsive. As in different AMGs, choosing Sport+ brings aggressive downshifts beneath braking and a willingness to remain in a decrease, to-hell-with-fuel-economy gear. On the similar time, you may change gears with the chunky metallic paddle shifters that transfer with a hefty, mechanical really feel and pair completely with the dual-clutch’s fast reflexes.
After which there’s the noise. Customary is the AMG exhaust system with a gasoline flap that modulates sound based mostly on engine velocity, load and whether or not you have engaged Sport+. Mainly, which means that it makes cool sounds when accelerating onerous. Not obnoxious nor farty, there is a sharp burble to it that makes you wish to speed up extra simply to listen to it. In sound, sensation and straight-line velocity, then, the GLA 35 satisfies the recent hatch requirements.
What about in corners? The AMG 35 is stiffer than the grocery-getter GLA courtesy an aluminum plate beneath the engine bay that will increase torsional rigidity together with two extra, diagonal braces. The MacPherson strut entrance and four-link rear suspension function AMG componentry and tuning all through, most notably a entrance steering knuckle that encompasses a motorsports-derived radially bolted brake caliper.
AMG Experience Management adaptive dampers are fitted as customary. In addition to consistently adjusting damping forces based mostly on circumstances, there are settings for every of the Consolation, Sport and Sport+ drive modes. We had been completely happy to search out that the journey in Consolation is definitely as marketed, at the least by firm-ish sizzling hatch requirements. It was completely tolerable on a prolonged freeway journey and on the damaged pavement of Portland, Ore. This stands in distinction to the CLA 35 that tiresomely jostled and jiggled on excellent Phoenix pavement.
We additionally like the flexibility to simply combine and match drive setting parts by means of the non-obligatory, configurable AMG Drive Unit Steering Wheel buttons pictured above. Particularly, it enables you to swap the suspension to Consolation and preserve every part else in Sport, both perpetually or as a spur-of-the-moment, crap-pavement-ahead possibility. Normally, it’s important to dig into the infotainment system to try this. And even in the event you forego that $400 possibility, there’s nonetheless a button on the middle console that’ll simply change the suspension (you’ll certainly must dig into MBUX to combine and match different settings).
In fact, leaving the suspension in Sport or Sport+ continues to be the best way to go to flatten this XL sizzling hatch by means of corners. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system contributes to the trigger by splitting energy distribution by as a lot as 50:50 between the axles (it is a front-biased system), negating any torque steer and enhancing grip. The AMG-specific steering offers an agreeable quantity of heft within the Sport modes: agency on middle with the correct quantity of additional effort required with out feeling unnatural or contrived to attain a “sport” really feel. And that applies no matter velocity or state of affairs because of the speed-sensitive, variable ratio system utilized subtly to take care of a constant steering really feel moderately than one which overtly tightens and loosens because the speedometer rises and falls.
Winter tires and damp roads saved our mountain highway exuberance to a minimal, however our drive was nonetheless sufficient to italicize that that is certainly an extra-large sizzling hatch. You undoubtedly really feel the additional girth in comparison with an precise sizzling hatch. It is roughly 6 inches taller and longer than the dearly departed Golf R. It is 2 inches wider, too, and 280 kilos heavier. It by no means feels tossable, and the high-mounted driver seat prevents that “shrinking round you” feeling.
In order that’s unhealthy, proper? Properly, positive, if all you care about is efficiency. When you lose agility, you acquire utility. There is a stunning quantity of headroom within the again, and the high-mounted seat grants enough legroom for common adults in all 4 corners. A tall driver might want to scooch their seat up, particularly with a middle-placed, rear-facing baby seat, however that is the norm for each compact hatchbacks and subcompact crossovers.
Cargo area is listed at 19 cubic-feet, however as we have found with the GLB and GLC, Mercedes’ measurements undersell their automobiles’ precise capabilities. Each bag from our customary baggage take a look at assortment match, which is considerably higher than an Audi Q3 and nearly all of subcompact crossovers. It was just about the identical quantity as what the Subaru Crosstrek may handle. In fact, the GLB can shockingly maintain as a lot as a Subaru Outback.
We’ve not pushed that boxy brother, however contemplating it is significantly larger in each dimension however width, it looks like a good wager it will not have that very same hot-hatch really feel. As a result of even in the event you discover its further measurement, the GLA 35 nonetheless appears like an 8/10ths approximation or higher the overwhelming majority of the time. It makes you wish to drive, and often in a moderately hoonish type of manner. If life (or your spouse) is telling you want one thing larger than a compact hatchback, no matter its hotness, the AMG GLA 35 could possibly be the right resolution. Relaxation assured, a Thule stroller and Chicco toddler automobile seat each match inside.
Not surprisingly, although, this extra-large sizzling hatch brings with it an extra-large value. Beginning at $48,600 and going as much as $53,630 in our moderately optioned take a look at automobile, that is $8,000 extra to start out than the ultimate Golf R, and about $10,000 greater than a Honda Civic Kind R. Even the John Cooper Works Mini Countryman begins at about $6,000 much less. However it is a Mercedes, and the GLA boasts extra than simply further inches. As in each A-Class-derived Mercedes, the cabin is a feast to your eyes, with a novel, compelling design enhanced by a number of ambient lighting decisions. Supplies high quality is outstanding in comparison with all the above and acceptable for its value level. The switchgear seems terrific and operates with pleasing fluidity, most notably the rotary air vents and people AMG steering wheel switches. It comes customary with the MBUX interface, which can be moderately convoluted and irritating to make use of, however however is feature-packed and can impress your folks with its crisp, fairly graphics. It is also vital to notice that the upper value pays for better-executed options, such because the myriad driver help programs.
So it is clearly not as clear lower as “extra-large sizzling hatch.” It is an extra-fancy one, too. And paying $53,630 for both of these issues in all probability is not essentially the most smart buying determination. Nonetheless, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is silly enjoyable. And vehicles which can be silly enjoyable are hardly ever smart. That it manages to be as sensible as it’s whereas nonetheless being properly beneath the worth of the AMG GLC 43 above it at the least tempers the stupidity. That endorsement in all probability will not find yourself on a GLA billboard. The phrase “crossover” in all probability will, however actually it should not. It is higher than that.
