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By Jonathan Crouch

The Mercedes GLA has been rejuvenated in this third generation guise, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 96

The GLA is the starting point for Mercedes SUV ownership and in this third generation form, is as classy as you'd expect a premium family hatch-based crossover model ought to be from the Stuttgart brand. There's a complete change with powertrains this time round, with the choice of full-EV or hybrid models. Either way, thorough engineering borrowed from the Mercedes CLA and GLB means that that there's plenty to like beyond the badge, primary selling points focusing upon quality and efficiency. Something for almost everyone then, from a car that very much suits its fashion-conscious segment.

Backgroundword count: 216

Time for a different kind of Mercedes GLA. This more sophisticated third generation model must interest former EQA customers wanting a compact premium EV crossover, as well as folk in search of a posh little combustion SUV. Perhaps it's now the car its predecessor wanted to be. Whether it's now the kind of model its customers want it to be is what we're here to find out. The first two GLA designs, the X156-era MK1 of 2013 and the H247-era MK2 of 2019, were based on the brand's long-running A-Class hatch. The latter version intentionally separated itself away from the EV market to make space for the brand's similarly-sized all-electric EQA. These days though, the Stuttgart maker wants to merge its EV and combustion model lines, a policy made possible here by the MMA platform this third generation GLA shares with Mercedes' two most recent compact models, the CLA saloon and the GLB SUV. As a result of that, we've now got two quite different kinds of MK3 GLA, the H244-era all-electric model and it's almost identical-looking showroom stablemate, the H248-era hybrid version. There's no longer a GLA PHEV. And those two powertrains are delivered in a car that's now more spacious, more efficient and considerably more futuristic than before. Sounds promising. Let's take a look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 417

Like its almost identically engineered CLA and GLB showroom stablemates, this third generation GLA was designed to be an electric car first and a hybrid second. Though Mercedes of course, thinks the advanced MMA platform is ideally suited to either drivetrain. What it isn't suited to is Plug-in Hybrid drive, so unlike with the second generation model (and rivals like the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1), you can't have that. Ideally, Mercedes wants to sell you a GLA Electric - which comes in various flavours, with the emphasis being on the mid-level GLA 250+, which has 272hp from its rear axle e-motor and uses an 85kWh Lithium-ion NMC battery capable of up to 406 miles on a single charge (up from 346 miles with the EQA 250+). If that's more range than you really need, ask your dealer about the entry-level GLA 200 Electric variant (not offered from launch), which has 224hp and uses a smaller 58kWh LFP battery offering up to 278 miles. If you want AWD or more performance, then there's the dual motor GLA 350 4MATIC, with the same 85kWh battery as the 250+. This adds another e-motor on the front axle to boost total output to 354hp and lower the 0-62mph sprint time to 5.4s. Range is 371 miles. As with other MMA-platform EV models from the brand, all GLA models use a clever two-speed auto gearbox to maximise efficiency at higher speeds. If you add in the optional Trailer coupling package, the 250+ can tow a braked weight of up to 1,500kg; with the 350 4MATIC, it'd be up to 2,000kgs. If you really don't want to plug your GLA in, then you'll be offered the combustion hybrid version. It's actually a mild hybrid, so it won't run purely on battery power for very long. But the 48V electrical system that powers a small starter generator helps streamline the 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine's operations at low speed. This unit is boosted by 30hp electric motor powered by a 1.3kWh battery and integrated into the eight-speed eDCT auto gearbox. The hybrid drivetrain comes in three flavours; the base GLA 180, with 136hp; the mid-level GLA 200 with 163hp; and the top GLA 220 4MATIC with 190hp and all wheel drive. At urban speeds and when less than 22kW is needed, the hybrid models can briefly drive using electric power alone. A special feature of the motor is its ability to recuperate in all eight gears, recovering up to 25kW of energy.

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