… Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 CDI 4Matic AMG Line …
When they first clap eyes on the Mercedes-Benz GLA 4Matic, many folk will think this is simply an upmarket, compact, hatchbacked saloon sitting on top of giant alloys. And they’d be right. Mostly. But there’s a bit more to it than that.
A closer look shows more ground clearance while the tailgate has a nice wee chrome badge with the word ‘4Matic’. In other words, this is an all wheel drive car, but don’t go thinking Impreza STi. Nope, this is a much more sedate all terrain tackler, more suited to tarmac roads than Kielder’s finest. But when the British weather gets itself into an unruly state of affairs, that’s when drivers will appreciate the additional security and confidence generated by the all round grip in wet, slippery or snowy conditions.
That doesn’t make it a Land Rover, but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve, like the Downhill Speed Regulation button which controls descents if the driver is lacking in confidence – or for those who live at the top of the Pass of the Cattle and need to drive down to the valley in the middle of winter for a pint of milk.
So it’s not a ‘sporty’ 4WD hatchback, even though it’s quick enough to be entertaining. The 168 bhp 220 CDI diesel is good for 134 mph if you have an autobahn handy, while Mercedes claims it will cover the 0 to 60 sprint time in 8.3 seconds. I use the word ‘claim’ because you’ll need to be a wee bit sneaky to match that time. That’s because the 7 speed automatic box can be a wee bit hesitant and slow at times, particularly on step-off from rest.
Most of the time it’s not a problem, but you will have to be wary at junctions and roundabouts. If you spot a gap in the traffic, best to use the paddles to pre-select first gear before going for it! Or if you leave it in auto mode you can pre-empt the delay by just tickling the throttle a wee bit which takes up the slack but be careful not to creep.
Otherwise the auto ‘box takes the strain out of commuting and traffic jams, but there is a more annoying problem, and that was simply down to the choice of tyres. For sure, the 235/45 x19 Goodyear Efficient Grip tyres provide plenty of grip, but they are ‘run-flats’. The penalty for such tyres is usually a bit more road noise and less give in the rubber.
That’s fine if you want to protect yourself from punctures on a wet and windy night in some rural and remote location, but they do come at the expense of ride comfort. On the other hand, if you’re scared of Scottish ghosties and ghoulies on dark winter nights, at least you won’t have to worry about finding a place to pull over and change wheels.
That’s a choice buyers will have to make, because these tyres do provide a firmer ride. That also has a knock-on effect on driver and passenger comfort. Fortunately the ‘sports seats’ are perfectly comfortable, but the built-in headrests can’t be adjusted. For those of us who prefer a more upright seating position this results in another wee drawback.
Remember those nodding dogs in the back parcel shelf of saloon cars in the 70s and 80s? When you drove over uneven surfaces, their wee heads started nodding. At least it kept the weans amused. Anyway, this GLA with its run-flat tyres suffers from the same problem, and when the driver’s head starts nodding, it keeps hitting the headrest. It’s not sore, just annoying.
So if it’s comfort you’re after best stick with the A Class, but if you need the traction and 50mm more ground clearance then it has to be the GLA 4Matic.
As mentioned, the diesel has a decent bit of grunt about it with 350 Nm of torque and while Mercedes claims 55.4 mpg on the Euro combined cycle, I was getting 46.3 mpg on a very misty run up to Knockhill and back using the A80 and M80 plus country roads.
The other thing that might make folk balk a bit, is the price. It comes in at just over £31,000! Having said that, it is very well equipped, even so the test car had another five and a half grandsworth of extras.
Included in the standard price are the 19 inch AMG alloys and also a very handy reversing camera. Handy because the rear glass has such a dark tint you think it’s nearly night time when you look over your shoulder. It also has an electric push-button handbrake, not a floor mounted foot operated pedal or central lever, just a button on the lower right side of the dash. I’m no fan of these things, but it works well.
The extras added such things as Active Park Assist, bi-xenon headlights with wash, power operated tailgate, Merc’s ‘Intelligent Light System’, and improved SatNav system and upgraded sound system plus lots of other driver aids which will be appreciated by those who think safety and security should be accompanied by comfort and luxury.
If you want the Mercedes badge and you need 4WD because you live above the Scottish snowbelt then this would be nice little motor. As for me I’d change the run-flats and then see how I got on with the sports seats.