Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz GLA

Exterior Design

The GLA features powerful overall proportions with short overhangs at the front and rear. The front section flows over the A-pillar into the visually compact greenhouse. Suggested power domes on the hood, along with wheels up to 20 inches in size and mounted flush with the outer edge of the body, reinforce the self-assured appearance.

The clear contours, with reduced lines and accentuated planes, convey serene sportiness and modernity. Typical of the GLA are the powerful shoulders of the bodywork and the coupe-like lines of the side windows. This contoured side profile gives the car its dynamically elegant flair and offers an interesting play of light and shadows.

As in the case of the other Mercedes-Benz SUV models, the radiator grille features distinctive openings along with a single louvre and a central star. In hallmark brand style, the inside of the headlamps is finished to a high level of quality, detail and precision.

The side and rear views are characterized by the muscular shoulders of the vehicle. The doors reach over the sills, improving ease of access, while at the same time keeping the door frames free of dirt and improving impact protection in the event of a side collision. All-round protective cladding adds structure to the overall proportions and emphasizes the vehicle’s off-road character, as does the simulated underride guard at the front and rear.

The Interior

The instrument panel consists of a basic volume, which features optical “cut-outs” in the driver and front passenger area. The cut-out on the driver’s side is dominated by the free-standing display unit, which is available in two variants: with two 7-inch displays and in the Widescreen version, with two 10.25-inch displays. On the passenger side, the cut-out area is finished with a trim element.

The round ventilation outlets, five of them in all, feature a high-quality turbine look with meticulously designed air guidance vanes. The door center panel flows seamlessly over into the armrest. The grab and assist handle has a tubular profile and runs horizontally like a railing.

Included as standard is the intuitively operated MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The powerful computer, brilliant screens and graphics, customizable presentation, full-color head-up display, navigation with augmented reality, learning software, and voice control activated with the prompt “Hey Mercedes” are several key advantages of the system.

The seating position for both the driver and the front passenger is higher and more upright than in the predecessor model, and thus more typical of an SUV. The driver and front passenger sit 5.5 inches (140 mm) higher than in the A-Class. All-round visibility has also been improved in comparison with the previous model – mainly due to an optimized cross-section for the roof pillars, which now block out less of the surrounding area.

Exceptional Comfort

The front axle of the new GLA features a McPherson design. Wheel control is taken care of by one transverse control arm below the wheel center, the McPherson strut and one tie rod. The wishbone is forged from aluminum. This reduces both weight and unsprung masses. The steering knuckles are made of cast aluminum.

The GLA features a sophisticated 4-link rear axle. The three transverse links and one trailing arm at each rear wheel are configured for maximum driving stability, ride quality and longitudinal/lateral dynamics. The rear axle is mounted on a subframe isolated from the body shell by rubber bushings so that fewer vibrations are transferred from the suspension to the body.

At 63.2 inches (front/rear; 1605 and 1606 mm), the track width is more than 1.6 inches (four centimeters) wider than on the previous model. The bigger wheel arches and the wider diameter of the wheels, at 17 to 20 inches, result in a higher ground clearance (5.6 inches / +0.4 inches).

4MATIC® All-Wheel Drive

The GLA can be equipped with the permanent all-wheel drive system 4MATIC® with fully variable torque distribution as an option. 4MATIC® components include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the automated dual-clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multi-plate clutch. This comprises six plates (12 friction surfaces) with a carbon fiber coating and is capable of transmitting as much as 738 ft-lb (1,000 newton meters) of torque. Automatic adjustment is made for wear and tear.

Unlike the previous model, in which the actuation was hydraulic, the clutch in this case is electro-mechanically operated. Via a two-stage spur gear and a ball ramp, an electric motor exerts an axial force on the clutch pack to open or close the plates. One element of this compact unit is the rear axle differential; this compensates the different paths/rotational speeds of the rear wheels. The advantages of this control system are, above all, non- rpm-dependent operation across the entire actuation range and thus also the pilot control of the clutch while still stationary, along with higher efficiency thanks to the ball ramp concept. There are no unnecessary losses from a synchronous hydraulic pump and the all-wheel drive unit has direct diagnostics capability.