016 volvo crossover suv4/13/2023 The instrument panel features two large round analog gauges flanking a small digital screen. Satin-finished metallic trim throughout the cabin looks classy and feels solid. A silver-colored panel (wood trim is optional) covers much of the dashboard and has subtle textured detailing. Other details live up to the GLA250’s premium intentions. Highway cruising is not up to usual Benz standards-the firm suspension creates a choppy freeway ride and the wind ruffling past the side mirrors is intrusive. Some of the materials seem cheap, and while the standard 7.0-inch infotainment screen functions are fairly intuitive, the cartoonish navigation graphics look out of place. The interior, although stylish and sophisticated in design, lacks the polish and refinement that we expect from the three-pointed star. Heck, it’s not even quite a Mercedes-Benz. So, the GLA250 suffers from a bit of an identity crisis-it’s not quite an SUV, not quite a performance hatchback. Perhaps calling it a warm hatch would be more appropriate. The GLA250’s additional weight and higher center of gravity are likely to blame. While the pedal feels firm and inspires confidence, we measured a 173-foot stop from 70 mph that’s on par with its crossover rivals but is 17 feet longer than our long-term VW GTI hot hatch. Where it fails to convincingly portray itself as a performance car is in its braking. That the GLA250 is so eager to abandon its SUV aspirations (and marketing) and try its hand at being a sporty hatch makes it endearing. But the same suspension that keeps cornering attitudes relatively flat might simply feel too stiff for many. This Mercedes-Benz is a competent handler, despite some understeer at the limit, with body motions that are well controlled. The GLA250 shares its platform with the CLA-class, which means steering that’s light and precise, if withholding of feedback. There’s little discernible difference in the steering among any of the modes, despite suggestions to the contrary in the setup menu. In Eco mode, the transmission is more eager to upshift to higher gears, and air-conditioning performance is weakened. Off-Road mode retards throttle response, while Sport sharpens it slightly. As distinctive as these sound, we noticed only subtle differences among the lot. Of its rivals, only the BMW X1 comes close (6.4 seconds to 60), but it needs 20 extra ponies under the hood to do so.įive drive modes are available: Sport, Comfort, Individual, Eco, and Off-Road. The front wheels slip just a little, which helps build revs before the all-wheel-drive system shifts some power rearward to help hurl the GLA250 off the line. With the throttle floored, the engine revs to 3200 rpm or so when you’re ready, lift off the brake. To access launch control, select Sport mode, turn off the traction control, engage the manual transmission controls, and hold down the brake pedal. That’s hot-hatch performance, with our long-term Volkswagen GTI matching the GLA250 in the same measure, albeit with a six-speed manual. Mercedes-Benz claims that the GLA250 with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (a front-drive version is available) can run to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, but we easily bested that figure using the car’s launch-control function to get to 60 mph in 6.1. When the vehicle is driven hard, the transmission is a willing partner, snapping off quick and smooth shifts. It’s eager to play, as long as you use the paddle shifters for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to keep the boost up. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 208 horsepower. Comparably equipped, the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 can cost more, and an Infiniti QX30 we tested recently, which shares the GLA250’s platform and engine, rang up a $43,700 tab. The grand total of $41,975 is a bit steep for something this size, but it’s not really bad by class standards. Our test car came equipped with the $2300 Sport package (19-inch wheels, cross-drilled front brakes with painted calipers, AMG body-styling bits), a $460 backup camera, a much-needed $550 blind-spot monitor, the $1480 panoramic sunroof, Apple CarPlay for $350, Mountain Grey Metallic paint for $720, and a neat, if slightly gimmicky, illuminated star logo for the grille ($550). The GLA250 4MATIC starts at a reasonable $35,425, but approaching the options sheet with a heavy hand can quickly burn through another $10,000.
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