After an extensive search spanning over a year, countless comparisons, and a considerable amount of deliberation, I finally acquired the Mercedes GLA I was looking for – or at least, close to it. The deal was finalized during Christmas week of 2019, an admittedly inconvenient time for a vehicle purchase, but circumstances aligned in such a way. For those of you considering a GLA, I aim to provide an unbiased review based on my time behind the wheel. While brief test drives offer a glimpse, truly understanding a vehicle requires hundreds of miles of real-world driving.
One of the most significant hurdles in selecting a Mercedes is navigating the sheer volume of available options and packages. A garage door opener as an optional extra? It seems almost absurd. I had a list of about ten desired options, but finding a GLA with that exact configuration proved nearly impossible. Mercedes often bundles desired features with less appealing ones, forcing you to compromise. Many of the “extras” I sought are standard in models like a Honda Civic, but wanting a Mercedes meant playing by their rules.
Therefore, if you’re contemplating a GLA purchase, familiarize yourself with the option list for your target year. Create a list of must-have features, assuming nothing is standard. For instance, in the 2018 GLA, the driver’s seat is power-adjustable, but the passenger seat is not – a surprising omission in this vehicle class. Remember, if power seats for both driver and passenger are desired, it’s likely an option.
My search extended from Hawaii to Florida to Maine, and finding my desired option combination was rare. Ultimately, I settled for a GLA by compromising on some of my initial preferences. To be specific, I was initially seeking a white GLA “Night Edition,” also known as the “Midnight Edition,” featuring black accents and black spoke rims.
The second major challenge was the dealership experience. In my life, I have never encountered more dishonesty, manipulation, and deceit than I did with car salespeople. Having spent over a year searching, I interacted with a vast number of them. Some would withhold the window sticker until threatened with taking my business elsewhere, deeming an emailed “list” sufficient. One salesperson vehemently insisted a vehicle had a specific option I required, only to be proven wrong by a video walkthrough I requested the day before a 600-mile trip to finalize the deal. Perhaps the most egregious example was a dealer who replaced the original Continental tires with budget tires just before I arrived, a switch I noticed in a “detailed and ready” photo they sent. The list of such incidents went on and on, a level of behavior I frankly didn’t expect from the Mercedes brand.
Even at the dealership where I finally purchased my car, upon pickup, a small windshield crack was evident, undoubtedly known to them. Thankfully, I spotted it before leaving the lot. While “repaired,” the crack remains in my line of sight, a blemish on a brand-new car.
It’s clear that Mercedes needs to reassess the car buying process from a customer’s perspective. It’s truly lacking. My next car purchase will likely be online, with a few clicks and home delivery within days!
Let’s delve into the cons, in no particular order. Understandably, what I consider a “con” might not be an issue for everyone.
Apple CarPlay was a must-have for me, a feature I appreciated in my daughter’s car. However, the GLA’s implementation is surprisingly different. Unlike my daughter’s car, which connects wirelessly, the GLA requires a wired connection. In a 2019 Mercedes, this feels outdated. Furthermore, the car offers virtually no convenient phone storage. The cord connects at the base of a small console, which is too cramped to hold a phone comfortably. The console door even presses against the cord, as there’s no designated notch for it. This feels like a poorly considered afterthought by Mercedes, and it was a significant disappointment. Fortunately, the phone contacts function works via Bluetooth without needing to plug in.
Mercedes vehicles are known for a firm ride, often described as “rough as a tank.” This reputation holds true for the GLA. Every road imperfection is keenly felt. Many GLA reviews mention this, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Remote start was another essential feature for me. In previous vehicles, it was a simple button press. The GLA offers remote start via the Mercedes Me app, which is a nice touch, and I’ll elaborate on its pros later. However, starting the car remotely is far from straightforward. It involves opening the app, pressing a button, holding another button for a few seconds, and then entering a four-digit code. Frustratingly, pre-setting heated seats for remote start isn’t possible, meaning they won’t warm up the car beforehand. Even more perplexing, remote start is disabled if the fuel tank is below a third full. And to top it off, opening the door after remote start shuts the engine off. It’s an unnecessarily complicated system for a feature that should be simple.
Many modern cars, even in lower segments, offer features like side cameras that activate with the turn signal, displaying the blind spot on the infotainment screen. Sadly, the GLA lacks this useful safety feature.
Similarly, I appreciate cornering headlights that swivel with steering input, a feature my wife’s Lexus has. The GLA’s headlights are fixed and do not rotate. So far, I haven’t missed this feature significantly, but it’s a noticeable omission compared to other vehicles in its class and price range.
The floor mats are surprisingly subpar. They resemble indoor/outdoor carpeting from a home improvement store. They are arguably the worst floor mats I’ve ever encountered in a vehicle. I opted for rubber tray mats to protect the interior, as the standard carpeted mats seem unlikely to last even a year.
Continuing the theme of cost-cutting, the seats are not leather. Are they vinyl, reminiscent of a 1985 Chevy Impala? Essentially, yes, although the official term is “leather-ette.” Mercedes should not be using “leather-ette” in their vehicles. Cloth seats would be preferable to this imitation leather.
For those who carry numerous items in their car, the GLA’s interior storage is severely limited. The glove box is tiny, barely accommodating the owner’s manual, registration/insurance documents, and a small pack of wipes. The center console houses the USB ports, further restricting storage space. The door pockets are slim, just enough room for a work lanyard and badge. Overall, storage is minimal, although this might be typical of small cars in general.
The satisfying “thud” of a well-built car door is absent in the GLA. The doors don’t close with a reassuringly solid sound.
Illuminated door sills are another missing feature, apparently yet another optional extra. One wonders if seats will become optional in future GLA models, with drivers potentially needing to bring their own lawn chairs!
While I appreciate minimizing dashboard clutter, the temperature and fan controls in the GLA are excessively small and fiddly, requiring more attention than necessary to operate while driving. They should be larger and more easily accessible. Furthermore, the buttons feel cheap and flimsy.
The infotainment screen is a decent size, but its integration feels like an afterthought. One observer aptly described it as looking like an “iPad” stuck onto the dashboard. The screen should be more seamlessly integrated into the dash design.
One reason for downsizing to the GLA was to improve fuel economy. However, the GLA’s fuel consumption is disappointing. At under 25 miles per gallon, it’s less efficient than our ten-year-old, six-cylinder Lexus. This was a significant letdown.
I prefer quiet vehicles and even choose tires known for their low noise levels. The GLA is surprisingly noisy inside. Between wind and engine noise, there’s excessive road noise for a vehicle of this class. Thankfully, the upgraded sound system helps drown out the noise with music.
A minor but irritating detail is the driver’s side sun visor. It cannot be easily folded down with the left hand due to the lack of a finger indent, a small ergonomic oversight.
The panoramic roof initially appeared impressive, like one large glass panel. I anticipated a substantial sunroof opening, envisioning open-air drives. However, the actual sunroof opening is surprisingly small, retracting only a small portion of the panoramic glass roof, leaving much to be desired.
I paid extra for the garage door opener option, a feature that should arguably be standard. Worse, it’s incompatible with many garage door openers, including my Sears Craftsman. Mercedes should refund the cost of this useless option! I’m back to clipping the old Sears opener to the visor, a throwback to the previous century.
By now, you might think I dislike the car. That’s not the case. I’m disappointed with Mercedes in several areas, but I don’t dislike the GLA itself.
Enough with the negatives. What are the positives of this quirky little car?
Firstly, the upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system is phenomenal. I haven’t experienced the standard system, so I can’t directly compare, but the upgraded system is truly excellent.
The GLA’s handling is very commendable. It corners sharply and precisely. The turning radius is tight and maneuverable, making parking and city driving easy. Braking is also exceptional, providing confident stopping power.
I had initial concerns about seat comfort, especially with the “leather-ette.” However, the seats are surprisingly comfortable and supportive. The extensive seat adjustments allow for a customized and comfortable driving position. The seatback recline and fore/aft adjustments are generous, and the steering wheel adjustability is equally impressive.
Crucially, the GLA is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. The rearview camera provides a clear, wide-angle view, even at night. The eight-inch infotainment screen is perfectly sized for the cabin. Lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring are all effective and appreciated safety enhancements. However, always verify the window sticker to ensure your desired safety options are included, as nothing should be taken for granted.
The hands-free liftgate is a convenient feature when it works reliably. For me, it requires precise foot placement under the rear bumper to activate. With practice, I expect it will become more intuitive.
The Mercedes Me app is well-designed and user-friendly, with a clean and simple interface. While some might joke about needing apps for everything, this app is genuinely useful, providing information from fuel level and door lock status to maintenance reminders. The dealership representative mentioned it being “free for now,” raising concerns about future subscription fees, which would be unwelcome.
In conclusion, I do like the GLA. The white “Night Edition” with black wheels and accents is visually striking and has drawn numerous compliments. While I regret not getting all my desired options, and the buying process was far from ideal, the vehicle itself has its merits.
Comparing it to a Honda Civic, the GLA carries a significant price premium. Whether it’s worth $10-15K more is debatable. While the Civic offers more standard features, the Mercedes engine is expected to be more durable and perform better long-term. The GLA should also hold its value better. For someone my age, the Mercedes badge and styling also hold a certain appeal over a Civic. Is it as luxurious as our ten-year-old Lexus? Not quite. The GLA feels like the entry point to the Mercedes brand, offering a taste of luxury at a more accessible price point.
If you’re considering a GLA, I reiterate my earlier advice: thoroughly research the available options and packages and identify your must-have features. This isn’t a vehicle to buy impulsively off the lot. You might regret missing crucial features later. Enterprise Rental Cars now offers the GLA through their “prestige lineup.” I strongly recommend renting one for a weekend and taking it for an extended test drive. Spending a few days and covering a few hundred miles will provide a much clearer picture of whether the GLA is the right vehicle for you.
Thank you for your time. And remember… Enjoy the ride, it goes by fast.
