Mercedes GLA

Generations: what actually changed between the four GLA rows

All listed engines are 4 Inline, Turbo, Front, transverse except where engine position is not measured (1 generation several diesels and both GLA200 1.6 MT rows). Fuel labels: Gasoline, Diesel, Plug-in. Gearbox labels: Manual or Robotic.

1 generation is the only window with Manual 6-speed petrol and diesel in parallel with Robotic 7-speed. Ground clearance is 154 mm on most versions; on `GLA200 1.6 DCT` it is not measured. CO2 is not measured on several diesels and on both `GLA200 1.6 MT` rows. Kerb weights sit between 1395 kg (`GLA180 1.6 MT`, `GLA200 1.6 MT` 150 hp and `GLA200 1.6 MT` 156 hp) and 1595 kg (`GLA200d 2.1 DCT` 136 hp and `GLA200d 2.1 DCT 4Matic`).

1 generation, restyling keeps the same 1595 / 1991 / 1461 / 2143 cc set but raises clearance to 203 mm on every listed version — 49 mm above the 154 mm of 1 generation `GLA180 1.6 MT`, and 60 mm above every 2 generation figure of 143 mm. `GLA200 1.6 DCT` 0–100 km/h improves from 8.8 s (1 generation) to 8.1 s; mixed consumption from 5.9 to 5.8 l/100 km; kerb from 1435 kg to 1420 kg. `GLA250 2.0 DCT` 0–100 km/h improves from 7.2 s to 6.6 s (0.6 s). Two `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` rows exist here: 136 hp (9.1 s, 205 km/h) and 177 hp (7.7 s, 223 km/h) — same name, 41 hp apart; the 177 hp row is 1.4 s quicker. Manual remains: `GLA180 1.6 MT`, `GLA200 1.6 MT` (156 hp here, not 150), `GLA250 2.0 MT`, `GLA180d 1.5 MT`, `GLA200d 2.1 MT`.

2 generation deletes Manual. Diesel moves from 1461 / 2143 cc to 1950 cc. Petrol entry moves from 1595 cc to 1332 cc. Ground clearance is 143 mm on all 11 versions. `GLA250 2.0 DCT` power rises from 211 hp to 224 hp (+13 hp) but 0–100 km/h is 6.9 s, 0.3 s slower than the restyled first-generation 6.6 s, because kerb is 1540 kg versus 1460 kg (+80 kg). Clearance is 60 mm lower than 1 generation, restyling. Plug-in appears: `GLA250e 1.3 DCT`.

2 generation, restyling keeps 143 mm clearance. `GLA180 1.3 DCT` torque rises from 200 Nm to 230 Nm (+30 Nm) with the same 136 hp and the same 9.6 s / 200 km/h. `GLA200 1.3 DCT` torque rises from 250 Nm to 270 Nm (+20 Nm) with the same 163 hp and the same 8.7 s / 210 km/h. Mixed consumption on those two petrols worsens from 6.0 to 7.4 and from 6.0 to 7.3 l/100 km. `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` mixed use rises from 4.8 to 5.9 l/100 km; CO2 from 126 to 162 g/km. `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` 0–100 km/h moves from 6.7 s to 8.7 s (+2.0 s) at the same 224 hp / 350 Nm / 1600 kg; mixed use from 7.1 to 8.2 l/100 km; gearbox from Robotic 8 to Robotic 7. New petrol AWD: `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` (190 hp, 300 Nm, 1991 cc) — 0–100 km/h, top speed, kerb and gross mass not measured.

Engines and specs

All listed engines are 4 Inline, Turbo, Front, transverse except where engine position is not measured (1 generation several diesels and both `GLA200 1.6 MT` rows). Fuel labels: Gasoline, Diesel, Plug-in. Gearbox labels: Manual or Robotic.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2 generation `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` is 163.7 hp/l (218 / 1.332). 2 generation `GLA200 1.3 DCT` is 122.4 hp/l. 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT` is 112.5 hp/l (224 / 1.991). 2 generation `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` is 59.5 hp/l (116 / 1.950) — the lowest among 1950 cc diesels. 1 generation, restyling `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` 136 hp is 63.5 hp/l on 2143 cc; the 177 hp twin is 82.6 hp/l on the same 2143 cc.

Weight per horsepower (kerb kg ÷ hp), where kerb is measured: 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT` is 6.88 kg/hp (1540 / 224). 1 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 MT` is 6.80 kg/hp (1435 / 211) — the lowest in the file. 2 generation `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` is 13.92 kg/hp (1615 / 116). 2 generation `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` is 8.56 kg/hp (1865 / 218) despite the 1865 kg kerb, because 218 hp is close to the petrol 224 hp peak. 2 generation, restyling `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` kg/hp is not measured (kerb not measured).

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among measured figures: 1 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT` 6.6 s; 1 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 MT` 6.7 s; 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` 6.7 s; 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT` 6.9 s; 2 generation / 2 generation, restyling `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` 7.1 s; 1 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT` 7.2 s; 2 generation `GLA220 d 2.0 DCT 4Matic` 7.3 s; 2 generation `GLA220d 2.0 DCT` 7.4 s; 1 generation, restyling `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` 177 hp 7.7 s; 1 generation, restyling `GLA200 1.6 DCT` 8.1 s; 1 generation `GLA220d 2.1 DCT` and `GLA200d 2.1 DCT 4Matic` 8.3 s. Slowest measured: 1 generation `GLA180d 1.5 MT` 12.0 s; 1 generation, restyling `GLA180d 1.5 MT` 11.9 s. 2 generation, restyling `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` 0–100 km/h is not measured.

Top speed: peak is 240 km/h on 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT`, `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` and 2 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic`. Floor is 190 km/h on every `GLA180d` diesel listed. 2 generation, restyling `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` top speed is not measured.

Mixed consumption: lowest is 2 generation, restyling `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` 1.4 l/100 km, then 2 generation `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` 1.6. Among non-plug-in diesels, 1 generation, restyling `GLA180d 1.5 DCT` is 4.1 l/100 km. 2 generation `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` and `GLA200d 2.0 DCT` share 4.8. 2 generation, restyling raises those two to 5.9. Highest mixed among measured petrols is 2 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` and `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` at 8.2 l/100 km.

City and highway: measured on 1 generation, 1 generation, restyling, and on 2 generation `GLA200 1.3 DCT` (7.4 / 5.2) and `GLA250 2.0 DCT` (8.8 / 5.5). On other 2 generation and all remaining 2 generation, restyling versions, city and highway are not measured.

CO2: lowest measured is 2 generation, restyling `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` 31 g/km, then 2 generation `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` 38. Highest measured is 2 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` and `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` at 186 g/km. On 1 generation several versions, CO2 is not measured (`GLA200 1.6 MT` 150 hp, `GLA200 1.6 MT` 156 hp, `GLA250 2.0 DCT`, `GLA180d 1.5 DCT`, `GLA180d 1.5 MT`, `GLA200d 2.1 MT`, `GLA200d 2.1 DCT`, `GLA220d 2.1 DCT`, `GLA200d 2.1 DCT 4Matic`). Euro 6 on every version.

AWD cost in the same generation, same power: 2 generation `GLA200d 2.0 DCT 4Matic` versus `GLA200d 2.0 DCT` — same 150 hp, same 4.8 mixed, +0.3 s (8.9 vs 8.6), −3 km/h (205 vs 208), +12 g/km CO2 (138 vs 126), +55 kg (1670 vs 1615). 2 generation `GLA200 1.3 DCT 4Matic` versus `GLA200 1.3 DCT` — same 163 hp, +0.6 s (9.3 vs 8.7), −4 km/h, mixed 6.9 vs 6.0, tank 51 vs 43, +70 kg (1555 vs 1485). 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` versus `GLA250 2.0 DCT` — same 224 hp, 6.7 vs 6.9 s (AWD is 0.2 s quicker here), same 240 km/h, mixed 7.1 vs 6.7, tank 51 vs 43, kerb 1600 vs 1540 (+60 kg).

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 203 mm on all 1 generation, restyling versions; 154 mm on 1 generation where measured; 143 mm on all 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling versions. 1 generation `GLA200 1.6 DCT` clearance is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured on every version.

Kerb: lightest is 1395 kg (1 generation and 1 generation, restyling `GLA180 1.6 MT`; 1 generation both `GLA200 1.6 MT` rows; 1 generation, restyling `GLA200 1.6 MT`). Heaviest is 1865 kg (`GLA250e 1.3 DCT` in both 2 generation rows). Gross: 1920 kg on several 1 generation petrols up to 2295 kg on `GLA250e 1.3 DCT`. 2 generation, restyling `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` kerb and gross are not measured.

Tank: 50 l on 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling. 2 generation splits 43 l (`GLA220d 2.0 DCT`, `GLA200 1.3 DCT`, `GLA250 2.0 DCT`, `GLA250e 1.3 DCT`, `GLA180 1.3 DCT`) versus 51 l (the diesels except that 43 l `GLA220d 2.0 DCT`, plus AWD petrols). 2 generation, restyling repeats 51 l on AWD petrols and diesels, 43 l on 1.3 petrols and the plug-in.

Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version. Brakes: Ventilated disc front, Disc rear, on every version.

Which version to choose

If you want the most clearance: 1 generation, restyling, any version — 203 mm. That is 60 mm more than 2 generation / 2 generation, restyling (143 mm) and 49 mm more than 1 generation (154 mm where measured). The restyling does not cut power versus 1 generation on the overlapping names; it trims 0–100 km/h on `GLA200 1.6 DCT` by 0.7 s and on `GLA250 2.0 DCT` by 0.6 s.

If you want a Manual: only 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling. The useful Manual pair is `GLA250 2.0 MT` (211 hp, 6.7 s, 6.2 l/100 km mixed, 1435 kg) versus `GLA180 1.6 MT` (122 hp, 9.0 s restyling / 9.3 s first generation, 6.0 mixed, 1395 kg). The 89 hp gap costs 0.3–0.4 s less than one second per 30 hp on the restyling row (6.7 vs 9.0 is 2.3 s for 89 hp). Diesel Manual: `GLA180d 1.5 MT` (109 hp, 11.9–12.0 s) versus `GLA200d 2.1 MT` (136 hp, 9.5 s restyling / 10.0 s first generation). 2 generation has no Manual.

If you want diesel economy without the plug-in: 1 generation, restyling `GLA180d 1.5 DCT` (4.1 mixed, 109 g/km, 11.7 s) is the cheapest fuel number among non-plug-in. Stepping to `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` 136 hp keeps 4.4 mixed and cuts 0–100 km/h to 9.1 s (+27 hp, −2.6 s). Stepping again to `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` 177 hp keeps 4.4 mixed and 7.7 s — 41 hp more than the 136 hp twin, 1.4 s quicker, same 1540 kg kerb. On 2 generation, `GLA200d 2.0 DCT` (150 hp, 8.6 s, 4.8 mixed) is the rational FWD diesel: +34 hp over `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` with the same 4.8 mixed, same 1615 kg, −2.2 s (10.8 to 8.6). `GLA220d 2.0 DCT` adds another 40 hp (190 vs 150) for −1.2 s (8.6 to 7.4) and only +0.1 mixed (4.9 vs 4.8), but the tank shrinks from 51 to 43 l. After restyling, those diesels keep the same 0–100 km/h but mixed use rises by 1.1 l/100 km on `GLA180d 2.0 DCT` and `GLA200d 2.0 DCT` (4.8 → 5.9).

If you want AWD: on 2 generation, `GLA220 d 2.0 DCT 4Matic` (190 hp, 400 Nm, 7.3 s, 5.3 mixed) is the diesel AWD that is 0.1 s quicker than FWD `GLA220d 2.0 DCT` (7.4 s) despite +55 kg, with +0.4 mixed and a 51 l tank versus 43 l. Petrol AWD: `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` (224 hp, 6.7 s, 240 km/h). Do not pick 2 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT 4Matic` if the 6.7 s figure matters: the restyling lists 8.7 s at the same 224 hp and 1600 kg. `GLA220 2.0 DCT 4Matic` is the only 190 hp Gasoline AWD, but 0–100 km/h, top speed and kerb are not measured — you cannot rank it on sprint.

If you want petrol FWD in the current body: 2 generation `GLA200 1.3 DCT` (163 hp, 8.7 s, 6.0 mixed, 7.4 city / 5.2 highway, 1485 kg) versus `GLA180 1.3 DCT` (136 hp, 9.6 s, 6.0 mixed, city/highway not measured, 1480 kg). Same mixed 6.0, +27 hp, −0.9 s, +5 kg. Power per litre 122.4 versus 102.1. Skipping to `GLA250 2.0 DCT` (224 hp, 6.9 s, 6.7 mixed, 1540 kg) buys −1.8 s versus the 163 hp 1.3 and +61 hp for +55 kg. After restyling, `GLA180 1.3 DCT` and `GLA200 1.3 DCT` keep the same 0–100 km/h but mixed use rises to 7.4 and 7.3; torque is the only hardware gain (+30 Nm and +20 Nm).

If you want the plug-in: `GLA250e 1.3 DCT` only, FWD, 218 hp, 450 Nm (the highest torque in the file), 7.1 s, 220 km/h, 1865 kg. 2 generation mixed 1.6 l/100 km and 38 g/km; 2 generation, restyling mixed 1.4 and 31 g/km, gearbox Robotic 7 instead of Robotic 8. You pay 380 kg over 2 generation `GLA180 1.3 DCT` (1480 kg) and 325 kg over `GLA250 2.0 DCT` (1540 kg). The plug-in is slower to 100 km/h than 2 generation `GLA250 2.0 DCT` by 0.2 s (7.1 vs 6.9) and slower than 1 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 DCT` by 0.5 s (7.1 vs 6.6).

If you want the lightest GLA: 1 generation / 1 generation, restyling `GLA180 1.6 MT` at 1395 kg. If you want the lowest kg/hp: 1 generation, restyling `GLA250 2.0 MT` at 6.80 kg/hp. If you want the highest hp/l among non-plug-in: 2 generation `GLA200 1.3 DCT` at 122.4 hp/l.

Duplicate names: 1 generation has two `GLA200 1.6 MT` — 150 hp and 156 hp; both 8.9 s, 215 km/h, 5.9 mixed, 1395 kg; CO2 not measured on both. 1 generation, restyling has two `GLA200d 2.1 DCT` — 136 hp and 177 hp; treat them as different cars. 2 generation `GLA220d 2.0 DCT` and `GLA220 d 2.0 DCT 4Matic` are different spellings in the catalogue; keep both exactly.

Problems, reliability and prices are not measured in this dataset.