I've Got A 2015 GLA For A Few Days, What Do You Want To Know?

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 01/02/2015 at 18:20 • Filed to: Test Drive, GLA, Mercedes Benz, New Cars, The Road Less Driven, Andrew Maness

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It's Friday, it's my birthday and I've got a 2015 Mercedes Benz space pod with a full tank of gas.

Much has been said about the GLA on this site, from Hardigree's !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , to DeMuro's breakdown of how !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , to a multitude of comments declaring the GLA either the greatest thing since season 9 of The Simpsons or the worst thing since the LOST episode, "Stranger In A Strange Land".

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Why the fuck would you have Bai Ling guest star on LOST? Why?!

Anyway, this particular GLA is a base model, no HID headlights, no heated seats, no NAV, no backup camera and no panoramic sunroof. Pretty barebones for a new car in 2015 if you ask me.

It does have is a peppy little turbocharged 4 banger good for 208hp and impressing people who have never been in a turbocharged vehicle before. Its also got a keypad on the dash for old people who want to take their eyes off the road to make a phone call, paddle shifters from a Logitech G27 gaming wheel and more blind spots than the Falcons' secondary.

Despite all of this, I like it so far, its been fun driving it around town. It's comfortable, has a nice sound system and seems to attract attention from the right kind of people, attractive women.

I'm planning to take it up to the mountains this weekend and see just how capable it is off road and in the snow. Hoping there's enough white stuff still on the ground so I can do some donuts in it or at least get a little sideways because I didn't get nearly enough of that during my holiday.

Mercedes wants the GLA to be seen as a little adventure mobile for us young 'uns so I'll be sure to report on how many beards and cool hats it can safely carry. Don't worry though, if you're older and in the market for a lifted hatchback I'll be sure to not overall fuel economy and how many packs of Zantac fit in the center armrest.

So aside from all of that, what do you people want to know about the 2015 GLA 250?

Andrew Maness writes about cars because he has one and also has a computer. He's been known to drunkenly Tweet as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and upload photos to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also has a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thinks talking about himself in the 3rd person is really weird but knows it's necessary if he wants to be taken seriously as an automotive journalist.

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TheHondaBro > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 18:24

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On a scale of 1 to Acura lineup, how much does it look like its brothers?

CRider > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 18:41

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Take it rallycrossing.

Chris McMays > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 18:56

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Why is the sky blue? Why is grass green? What is the meaning of life?

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 19:07

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While I think it's aimed towards younger people, does it make sense for older people too? I know my parents and grandparents love a car that's easy to get in and out of and there's a chance that the slight lift of the GLA would make it perfect for them as they get older.

Andrew T. Maness > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 01/02/2015 at 19:38

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I think more "people of a certain age" as my dad likes to say will enjoy this car than most younger people, especially since they can afford all the bells and whistles that would negate the blind spots/narrow field of view that would be troublesome for aged eyes.

Andrew T. Maness > Chris McMays 01/02/2015 at 19:40

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Andrew T. Maness > CRider 01/02/2015 at 19:40

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I want to, badly.

DrScientist > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 19:55

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from this side view, I'd say there's no details or design cues that identify this car as a Mercedes.

Not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing.

CRider > DrScientist 01/02/2015 at 20:09

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Wheel centers are Mercedes stars.

DrScientist > CRider 01/02/2015 at 20:18

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Lets get the CSI crew or whoever in here to do one of those image enhancements.

I guess I'm saying that car designs have become quite generic over the last decade or so, it's getting difficult to tell them apart without clear badges.

Jimmy Tango > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 20:24

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"Will it Baby?"

"Can I see Tiff Needell spank it?"

"How much does it cost to buy MaxCare?"

"When will I read from Tarvish: you can have a GLA 250 for cost of a Elantra?"

Chris McMays > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 20:41

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Will there be a review soon, I hope?

On the Audi Allroad Scale of Reliability, how reliable has it been so far?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Jimmy Tango 01/02/2015 at 21:29

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I'll second that - will it baby?

Redd, the RX-7 that could > Andrew T. Maness 01/02/2015 at 22:04

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I feel like no backup camera on a luxury marque is unacceptable in this year, considering that every Honda has them as standard now.

witchdoctor11 > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 00:00

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my wife and I han argument about this very car the other day, I claim its a largish hatch back, she stands firm that it's an SUV. So which is it? I even read her the dimensions for the GLA and the last generation Subaru Wrx to drive home my point, she didn't budge.

What say you?

jtiberius91 > Chris McMays 01/03/2015 at 01:16

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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > witchdoctor11 01/03/2015 at 03:22

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IIRC, Mercedes has stated it is an SUV.

Steve in Manhattan > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 09:49

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It has indented sides, sort of like a 1 series. There are Mazdas, there are Subarus, there are many other cars in this class. What is the point? You are buying (and overpaying for) a badge. Nothing more.

jeanrothko > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 10:05

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I happen to sell Mercedes-Benz and this is a great little SUV/Cross-Over. The biggest complaint I have heard from customers is that the vehicle is smaller then they thought once they see it in person. On the positive, the GLA comes with some great standard features: Bluetooth, Power-Memory Driver and Front Passenger Seats, 18" Wheels, Power Liftgate, Collision Prevention Assist + (Car will brake itself before you rear-end car in front of you while you are texting or not paying attention).

I agree there are quite a few blind spots in the vehicle, so the blind spot assist option is of huge benefit. Other nice options are that a rear view camera can be a solo option on this vehicle (Rear Camera not available without adding the multimedia package in the past on any model).

Great price point to get into the Benz lineup and it is a blast to drive. Step up to the GLA45 for a ride you won't soon forget!!

Killing-Machine > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 12:07

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Looks like a Mazda

fhrblig > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 12:22

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Nice Buick Encore you got there.

sklooner > Andrew T. Maness 01/03/2015 at 16:10

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Will it blend??

Andrew T. Maness > Chris McMays 01/04/2015 at 18:41

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There will certainly be a review.

It's been "03 Allroad that just rolled off the line" reliable so far.

Andrew T. Maness > fhrblig 01/04/2015 at 18:43

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Haha, oh it's not NEARLY as bad as the Encore.

Andrew T. Maness > Killing-Machine 01/04/2015 at 18:44

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Yeah it kinda does, because Mazdas look like Mercedes...

Andrew T. Maness > jeanrothko 01/04/2015 at 18:45

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Hoping MBUSA will soon deliver a GLA45 to my front door.

Andrew T. Maness > Steve in Manhattan 01/04/2015 at 18:55

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Indeed it's a very competitive segment these days.

My main question with ever car I drive is "what is the point" and with the GLA, I'm not sure it has a very valid one, other than to allow people to pilot a new Mercedes at a "value".

Andrew T. Maness > witchdoctor11 01/04/2015 at 19:00

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It's a wagon with a lift kit. Certainly wouldn't say it's an SUV or a Crossover.

Andrew T. Maness > Redd, the RX-7 that could 01/04/2015 at 19:01

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Yeah it's completely insane that it doesn't have one.

Steve in Manhattan > Andrew T. Maness 01/04/2015 at 19:23

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I am no one to really ask - now that I live in NYC, if I rent 5 cars a year it's a lot. But some cars/concepts/ad campaigns get me going. I don't know if this is valid, but wouldn't you go Japanese in this segment? Spend less, and better reliability, unless Mercedes has really changed for the better.

Andrew T. Maness > Steve in Manhattan 01/04/2015 at 20:10

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Remains to be see I suppose given that the GLA is brand new but I honestly don't think Japanese cars are all that much more reliable these days, they're just cheaper to repair for the most part.

My friend who owns this particular car was looking at a Mazda CX-5 but was able to get this GLA for the same price and it's a much nicer vehicle than the Mazda.

Steve in Manhattan > Andrew T. Maness 01/04/2015 at 20:33

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Then yes - I'd take the Mercedes if they're priced the same and the cost to keep it on the road is roughtly equivalent. But I've driven neither, so I should not be judging.