2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Expert Review
Reviewed by Zach Gale
Suddenly, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is more important to the brand than ever before. With the A-Class sedan gone and the pricey CLA-Class now above $40,000 for a base model, you're looking at one of the most affordable Mercedes-badged vehicles available today. And for the 2024 model year, the GLA gets a few meaningful improvements to better compete with the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and others.
What's New
- A mild hybrid powertrain on the GLA250 and GLA35 means a slightly quicker takeoff and the ability to coast with the engine off in select conditions
- Subtly updated styling front and rear
- More standard equipment includes features most buyers would expect on a Mercedes, including LED headlights, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- A Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel is also now standard
- The GLA45 AMG model has been discontinued
What We Think
The 2024 Mercedes GLA has never been our favorite entry-level luxury SUV, and we're not sure the meaningful updates this year will change that. What Mercedes' smart updates mean is a better experience for someone who was already considering the 2024 GLA. The 48V tech makes the 2024 GLA a mild hybrid, which could add both refinement and a dash of quickness to everyday driving. And the newly standard LED headlights and larger interior screens mean base-trim models will feel richer than before. That's important because we've called out a less-than-premium cabin experience in the past, and we look forward to poking around the 2024 GLA in the future.
Until we have that chance, we'll appreciate the high seating position and, based on our time in pre-2024 models, the decent power provided by the turbo-four under the 2024 GLA250's hood. The infotainment system in the outgoing luxury SUV was never our favorite, so we're hopeful the new MBUX infotainment system improves things. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should help.
Where we don't expect big changes to the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA, however, is the cargo area. A huge cargo area might not be top of mind for an entry-level luxury SUV buyer, but you'll find more space in many other options in this segment. That's really the Mercedes GLA's story as a whole, too. The changes for 2024 are a good step in the right direction, but we hope that buyers not completely dazzled by the three-pointed star will also consider the new BMW X1 and Volvo XC40.
Performance
The 2024 Mercedes GLA now has two model variants instead of last year's three. The high-performance GLA45 is now gone, but the GLA25, GLA250 4Matic, and GLA35 AMG remain.
Offered with FWD and 4Matic AWD, the 2024 GLA250 still makes a total of 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, but the powertrain now includes a 48V mild hybrid system that gives 13 hp of boost at peak acceleration and allows the SUV to coast when the conditions are right. We've experienced this tech in the 2021 E-Class we drove for a year, and if it works the same in this smaller package with two fewer cylinders, it's a good addition. We've tested a GLA250 4Matic hitting 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
When you'd rather spend money on performance than the space of the larger GLC, try the GLA35 AMG. Now the top AMG version of the GLA, the 2024 GLA35 makes 302 hp and 295 lb-ft from a 2.0-liter turbo-four. Those numbers might sound familiar, but now the powertrain has a 48V mild hybrid system that could allow for slightly quicker launches as well as coasting with the engine off in certain conditions. We've tested a pre-2024 GLA35 from 0 to 60 in 5.0 seconds.
Safety Features
Although the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA hasn't been safety tested, it will probably come with a package of safety features that should provide some peace of mind. We're talking about automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and one feature we know is standard for 2024, an automatic high-beam system called Highbeam Assist. The Driver Assistance package now has an upgraded lane keeping assist that's said to be more accurate.
A 360-degree surround-view camera system is also available, and we hope it makes the most of that standard 10.3-inch touchscreen.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
We've lauded the GLA before for its respectably sized rear seat, but its cargo space isn't best in class.
Cargo Space (Behind First/Second Rows):
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: 50.5/15.4 cubic feet
2023 Volvo XC40: 57.5/16.0 cubic feet
2023 BMW X1: 57.2/25.7 cubic feet
Legroom (First/Second Rows):
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class: 41.0/38.0 inches
2023 Volvo XC40: 40.9/36.1 inches
2023 BMW X1: 40.4/37.0 inches
Technology
Buyers interested in a 2024 GLA on the lower end of the pricing scale will be interested to know that the formerly optional upsized screens are now standard. A 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster display is standard, as is a 10.3-inch touchscreen using an updated MBUX infotainment system. We weren't fans of the previous system, so we hope this newer system is an improvement. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a part of the picture, and a Burmester surround-sound system is available. A small detail, but perhaps a very useful one: Mercedes says all USB ports are now illuminated for easier charging.
