Item: 2014 Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class
Rating: 3.5

Fuel-efficient diesel powertrains
Impressive ride/handling balance
High standard of interior fit and finish
Small turning circle

Turbo-diesel engines lack refinement and can have intrusive stop-start operation
Dual clutch transmission can be jerky on take-off
Run-flat tyres are noisy
Cramped rear seat and low roofline restricts headroom

Review: Mercedes-Benz X156.I GLA-Class (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in April 2014, the Mercedes-Benz X156 Series I (X156.I) GLA-Class was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Rastatt, Germany, the GLA-Class range for Australia initially consisted of GLA 200 CDI models, with the GLA 250 4MATIC following in July 2014; in September 2015, the GLA 180 was released and the 200 CDI was renamed 200 d. All models within the GLA-Class range had an ECO start/stop function which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic and seven-speed double clutch transmissions.

Please note that the Mercedes X156 GLA 45 AMG has been reviewed separately.

Mercedes-Benz X156.I GLA-Class specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
GLA 180	1.6-litre turbo petrol I4 (M270 DE16)	7sp DCT	90 kW at 5000 rpm	200 Nm at 1250-4000 rpm
GLA 200 CDI/ GLA 200 d	2.1-litre turbo-diesel I4 (OM651)	7sp DCT	100 kW at 3600-4000 rpm	300 Nm at 1400-4000 rpm
GLA 250 4MATIC	2.0-litre turbo petrol I4 (M270 DE20)	7sp DCT	155 kW at 5500 rpm	350 Nm at 1200-4000 rpm

All-wheel drive (4MATIC)

The Haldex all-wheel drive system for the GLA-Class (termed ‘4MATIC’ by Mercedes-Benz) utilised an electrohydraulically controlled multi-disc clutch which was integrated with the rear axle differential. In normal driving, torque was directed entirely to the front wheels for optimum efficiency. If slip was detected at the front wheels, however, a hydraulic pump would press the clutch discs together to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle (i.e. a 50:50 front:rear torque split). The all-wheel drive system also provided variable torque distribution, with the front:rear split determined by vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, speed difference between the individual wheels, selected gear and accelerator position.

Dimensions

Sharing its platform with the Mercedes-Benz W246 B-Class and C117 CLA-Class , the X156 GLA-Class was 4417 mm long, 1804 mm wide, 1494 mm tall and had a 2699 mm long wheelbase, while its drag coefficient was 0.29 Cd. The GLA-Class had cargo capacity of 421 litres, though this could be increased to 1235 litres when the rear seats were folded flat.

Suspension

The Mercedes-Benz GLA had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension (with three control arms and one trailing arm for each rear wheel). For models with the 4MATIC four-wheel drive system (detailed below), the rear axle carrier was isolated with rubber bushings for improved ride comfort. Furthermore, the electromechanical power steering (EPS) system had the following functions:

Countersteering in the case of oversteering;
Corrective steering when braking on road surfaces with different levels of grip (split-friction braking); and,
Compensation for cross winds and road gradients.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, a blind spot warning system, an ‘active bonnet’ and Mercedes-Benz’s automatic emergency call system.

As standard, the GLA-Class was also fitted with:

Collision Prevention Assist (radar-based collision warning with adaptive Brake Assist): operated at speeds between 7 km/h and 250 km/h, and could detect stationary objects when driving at speeds of up to 70 km/h. Collision Prevention Assist monitored the distance to the vehicle ahead, would provide visual and audible warning to the driver if there was a collision risk and would optimise braking power (adaptive Brake Assist) for when the driver depressed the brake pedal. At initial speeds of less than 20 km/h, Collision Prevention Assist could prevent rear-end collisions;
Pre-Safe: activated by emergency braking, panic braking, pronounced over- or under-steering, critical steering movements or heavy support by the adaptive Brake Assist system, Pre-Safe would prepare the vehicle for a collision by deploying the seatbelt tensioners, closing the side windows and sunroof (where fitted) and adjusting the front passenger seat for an optimum deployment of the restraint system; and,
Attention Assist: operated at speeds in excess of 80 km/h and assessed driver behaviour and steering movements for signs of drowsiness; if detected, the driver would be provided with visual and audible warnings.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class received a five star safety rating which included a 96 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 88 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the front occupants was generally rated as good, although protection of the left lower leg was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact, occupant protection was rated as good for all body areas. In the more severe pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest and abdomen was rated as adequate.

Features: Mercedes-Benz GLA 180

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 included 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R18 tyres, a six speaker ‘Audio 20’ sound system with a 14.7cm colour display, CD/DVD player, MP3/WMA/AAC compatibility, auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, a Becker satellite navigation system, climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, ‘Artico’ synthetic leather upholstery, bi-xenon headlights with daytime LED running lights, a rear fog lamp, reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a nappa leather wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, 40:60 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding function, tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment, a power-operated tailgate, illuminated vanity mirrors, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, high-gloss black roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA was also equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Active Parking Assist’ system which could identify possible parallel parking spaces – at speeds of up to 35 km/h – and automatically steer the vehicle into the space.

Features: GLA 200 CDI and 200 d

The Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI and GLA 200 d were further equipped with ‘Thermotronic’ dual-zone climate control air conditioning, four-way adjustable driver’s seat lumbar support and aluminium roof rails.

Features: GLA 250 4MATIC

Compared to the GLA 200 CDI, the GLA 250 4MATIC was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R19 tyres, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated front seats, directional bi-xenon headlights, an automatically dipping passenger mirror on reverse, a panoramic power-operated sunroof and a motion-sensing alarm.

Brochure

Brochure: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class (February 2014)

Specifications

Review: Mercedes-Benz X156.II GLA-Class (2017-20)