Mercedes GLA AMG: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mercedes GLA AMG range in this catalogue consists of an original generation offered from 2014 to 2017, its 2017–2019 restyling, and a second generation introduced in 2019 and restyled from 2023. Every listed car is an SUV 5-doors with AWD, a turbocharged 1991 cc Gasoline engine, and a Robotic gearbox.
The Mercedes GLA AMG range in this catalogue consists of an original generation offered from 2014 to 2017, its 2017–2019 restyling, and a second generation introduced in 2019 and restyled from 2023. Every listed car is an SUV 5-doors with AWD, a turbocharged 1991 cc Gasoline engine, and a Robotic gearbox. The main buying decision is therefore not about body style or drivetrain, but about output, acceleration, transmission, fuel consumption, ground clearance, and tank capacity. The range spans 306–421 hp and 400–500 Nm. Depending on the version, acceleration from 0–100 km/h takes 4.3–5.5 seconds, while top speed is 250–270 km/h.
Mercedes GLA AMG generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 2014 to 2017 as an SUV 5-doors and has two listed versions. Both are named GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic, so they must be distinguished by output: one produces 360 hp and 450 Nm, while the other produces 381 hp and 475 Nm. Both use a 7-speed Robotic gearbox and AWD. The more powerful version improves 0–100 km/h acceleration from 4.8 to 4.4 seconds while retaining the same 250 km/h top speed.
The first-generation restyling ran from 2017 to 2019, remained an SUV 5-doors, and again has two versions named GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic, with 360 hp and 381 hp respectively. Their core performance figures match the corresponding earlier versions, but the tank grows from 50 to 56 liters. The catalogue also records 155 mm of ground clearance for both restyled cars, whereas clearance for the earlier cars is not measured.
The second generation ran from 2019 to 2023 as an SUV 5-doors and expands the choice to four versions: GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic, GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic, GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic, and GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic. Output ranges from 306 to 421 hp, torque from 400 to 500 Nm, and every version changes to an 8-speed Robotic gearbox. Ground clearance is 137 mm across the listed range.
The second-generation restyling starts in 2023 and remains an SUV 5-doors. Its two listed choices are GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic with 306 hp and GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic with 421 hp. Both use an 8-speed Robotic gearbox, AWD, a 43-liter tank, and have 143 mm of ground clearance. Their recorded 0–100 km/h time is identical at 5.5 seconds despite the 115 hp difference, so buyers should not infer an unlisted performance advantage from horsepower alone.
Mercedes GLA AMG engine specs and horsepower
All versions use a front, transverse 1991 cc Gasoline engine with 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo boost, and Direct injection (direct). The displacement equals 1.991 liters, giving approximate outputs from 153.7 hp per liter in the 306 hp car to 211.5 hp per liter in the 421 hp cars.
| Generation and version | Output | Torque | Engine | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (360 hp) | 360 hp | 450 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2014–2017 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (381 hp) | 381 hp | 475 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2017–2019 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (360 hp) | 360 hp | 450 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2017–2019 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (381 hp) | 381 hp | 475 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 306 hp | 400 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 387 hp | 480 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 421 hp | 500 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 421 hp | 500 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| From 2023 GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 306 hp | 400 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
| From 2023 GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 421 hp | 500 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Robotic | AWD |
Within the 2019–2023 range, choosing GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic instead of GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic adds 81 hp and 80 Nm. Moving from the same 306 hp car to either 421 hp version adds 115 hp and 100 Nm. The 421 hp versions deliver about 57.8 hp per liter more than the 306 hp version.
Mercedes GLA AMG performance, 0–100 km/h, and fuel economy
The fastest recorded cars are the 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic and GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic. Both reach 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and have a 270 km/h top speed. The 387 hp GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic needs 4.4 seconds and reaches 250 km/h, while the 306 hp GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic takes 5.1 seconds and also reaches 250 km/h. On these figures, either 421 hp version saves 0.8 seconds over the 306 hp version and adds 20 km/h to top speed.
For both the original and restyled first generation, the 381 hp GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, compared with 4.8 seconds for the 360 hp version. Both have a 250 km/h top speed. The extra 21 hp and 25 Nm therefore correspond to a recorded 0.4-second advantage.
The original 360 hp GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic consumes 9.9 L/100 km in the city, 6.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 7.5 L/100 km combined. Its 381 hp alternative records 9.6, 6.1, and 7.4 L/100 km respectively. The first-generation restyling carries the same figures: 9.9/6.1/7.5 L/100 km for the 360 hp car and 9.6/6.1/7.4 L/100 km for the 381 hp car.
For the 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic, city and highway consumption are not measured, while combined consumption is 9.4 L/100 km. The GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic records 11.6 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.2 L/100 km combined. Consumption for the GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic and GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic is not measured in all three cycles.
Both restyled second-generation versions record 9.4 L/100 km combined; city and highway figures are not measured. Both also record 5.5 seconds from 0–100 km/h and a 250 km/h top speed.
Mercedes GLA AMG dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and tank capacity are available for only part of the range.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per hp | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (360 hp) | 1585 kg | 2105 kg | 4.40 kg/hp | not measured | 50 L | not measured |
| 2014–2017 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (381 hp) | 1585 kg | 2105 kg | 4.16 kg/hp | not measured | 50 L | not measured |
| 2017–2019 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (360 hp) | 1585 kg | 2105 kg | 4.40 kg/hp | 155 mm | 56 L | not measured |
| 2017–2019 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic (381 hp) | 1585 kg | 2105 kg | 4.16 kg/hp | 155 mm | 56 L | not measured |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 1600 kg | 2152 kg | 5.23 kg/hp | 137 mm | 43 L | not measured |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic | not measured | not measured | not measured | 137 mm | 43 L | not measured |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | not measured | not measured | not measured | 137 mm | 43 L | not measured |
| 2019–2023 GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 1600 kg | 2152 kg | 3.80 kg/hp | 137 mm | 51 L | not measured |
| From 2023 GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 1600 kg | 2152 kg | 5.23 kg/hp | 143 mm | 43 L | not measured |
| From 2023 GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic | 1600 kg | 2152 kg | 3.80 kg/hp | 143 mm | 43 L | not measured |
At the same 1600 kg kerb weight, the 421 hp GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic has 1.43 kg/hp less weight per horsepower than the 306 hp GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic. The 2019–2023 421 hp car also carries 8 liters more fuel than the 306 hp car, but this advantage disappears after the restyling because both listed versions then use a 43-liter tank.
The first-generation restyling has 18 mm more recorded ground clearance than the 2019–2023 cars and 12 mm more than the versions offered from 2023. The later restyling gains 6 mm over the pre-restyling second generation.
Which Mercedes GLA AMG version should you choose?
For the strongest recorded performance, choose a 2019–2023 GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic or GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic. Each has 421 hp, 500 Nm, a 4.3-second 0–100 km/h time, and a 270 km/h top speed. Where fuel and weight data matter, the GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic is the more fully documented choice: it has 9.2 L/100 km combined consumption, a 1600 kg kerb weight, and a 51-liter tank. Those same figures are not measured for the identically powerful GLA AMG 35S 2.0 DCT 4Matic.
For a middle position in the second generation, the 2019–2023 GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic offers 387 hp and 480 Nm. It is only 0.1 seconds slower to 100 km/h than the 421 hp versions, although its top speed is 20 km/h lower. Fuel consumption, kerb weight, and gross weight are not measured, so it cannot be ranked honestly against them on economy or mass.
For a first-generation purchase, the 381 hp GLA AMG 45 2.0 DCT 4Matic is the stronger numerical choice over the 360 hp car. It adds 21 hp and 25 Nm, cuts 0–100 km/h time by 0.4 seconds, uses 0.1 L/100 km less fuel combined, and carries no kerb-weight penalty in the supplied figures. Choosing the 2017–2019 restyling also brings a 56-liter tank instead of 50 liters and provides a measured 155 mm ground-clearance figure.
For buyers prioritizing the newest listed period, the choice from 2023 is between GLA AMG 35 2.0 DCT 4Matic and GLA AMG 45S 2.0 DCT 4Matic. The latter adds 115 hp and 100 Nm and improves weight per horsepower from 5.23 to 3.80 kg/hp. However, both record the same 5.5-second acceleration time, 250 km/h top speed, 9.4 L/100 km combined consumption, 1600 kg kerb weight, 2152 kg gross weight, 143 mm clearance, and 43-liter tank. On the supplied measurements, the extra output is clear, but an acceleration, speed, or economy benefit is not.