Mercedes Benz GLA 200 CDI

Mercedes Benz has an extraordinary model range and they keep on coming.
The recently introduced A Class and revamped B Class, as well as the about to be released C Class, shows the company is complementing its traditional luxury sedan base with cars that appeal to a to a much younger market.
The latest to hit the streets is the GLA. It's a sort of beefed up A Class hatch/SUV with a slightly taller ride height and a very reasonable price.
This is the all wheel drive GLA 200 CDI.
Starting from around 57K it's a fine entry level model for those who had always yearned for a Merc but couldn't come up with six figures for the purchase. Problem solved.
The GLA has a strong road presence, with styling that should appeal to many.
During my week with the car, several people said it looked a bit like a Mazda 3 in profile, although the GLA's styling cues are much stronger than the Mazda and in a different league altogether.

The only real similarity is the information screen atop the dashboard. In both cases they look a bit like an afterthought, as neither is retractable.
The 2.2 litre diesel produces 100 kw and 300 nm of torque. It's not the quietest diesel I have tested, being quite audible at idle and under acceleration, although on a steady throttle or at highway speeds, it becomes virtually unnoticeable. 

The GLA -CDI sips fuel at an average 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres, which is excellent economy. It's a spirited performer in standard mode, but when the Sport button is pushed, there's more than enough extra urge to fling you even more rapidly down the road. The 7 speed autobox is faultless.
The "idle-stop" feature which cuts the engine to save fuel when the car stops and automatically restarts when the brake is released, is the default setting. I found it annoying as I do in other cars with the same feature and I usually turned it off.  Happily the GLA has an electronic park brake which self releases, when you drive off, but you have to press the under dash button to set it.

You'll be delighted with the ride on the GLA's 18 inch wheel/ tyre combo... it's firm-ish, but not uncomfortable, and it's sporty enough to encourage sure handling through the twisty bits on your favourite road. 
You won't mistake the interior for anything but a Mercedes. Quality fit and features abound. Bi Xenon headlights, auto lights and wipers, sat- nav, heated seats with three position driver's memory, digital sound system with six speakers, driver assist steering, active cruise control and lane departure warning feature as well as a reversing camera to name but a few. However the reversing camera doesn't work unless the screen is turned on beforehand.
The GLA 200 CDI doesn't have keyless entry, but at least the slot for the key is easily accessible to the right of the steering column.

As is usual with German made cars,the leather clad seats are firm but still comfy, and it's easy to find a good driving position. Not so easy, is finding the interior bonnet release lever. It's buried well under the fascia, almost to the firewall on the driver's side. It took a few frustrating minutes to find it and only then, after examining the handbook.

Room inside the GLA is adequate.but  those sitting behind tall front seat passengers will struggle a bit for legroom, unless they can convince those up front to slide forward a bit more.
The test car had the optional panoramic glass sunroof, and because of the higher roof line I didn't have any headroom issues, despite being 6'3" tall myself.

The boot is not very large and there's no spare wheel, but you do get a power tailgate which is a good idea.
I liked the GLA 200 CDI, as will many of you looking for something classy and a bit different from the ever growing assortment of cars available in Australia, from more than 50 manufacturers.

There are other variants of the GLA including (of course) a high performance AMG version. 
I think you might have a tough time choosing.
Peter Sellen