New 2020 Mercedes GLA: prices, specs and release date

• New GLA now on sale
• Plug-in hybrid and rapid AMG models will be available
• More interior space than the previous model

The new Mercedes GLA is now available to order, with first deliveries scheduled for this summer. Available in four main trim levels, the GLA starts from £32,640 but you can pay as much as £44,425 before options. The firm’s smallest SUV is heavily based on the latest Mercedes A-Class and borrows styling cues from it and models in Mercedes’ existing SUV range.

2020 Mercedes GLA prices and specifications

The entry-level Sport trim is the only non-AMG Line model in the range. Despite being the cheapest version, it still gets heated front seats, LED headlights, two seven-inch screens, two-zone air-conditioning and the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant.

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Stepping up to AMG Line adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a sportier body kit, sports seats and privacy glass. For £1,500, you can upgrade to the ‘Executive’ version of both these trim levels, which adds front and rear parking sensors, a better 10.25-inch media touchscreen, wireless phone charging and Apple/Android mirroring.

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Above that is AMG Line Premium, which gives you keyless entry, augmented reality sat nav, 64-colour ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the pre-installation for a towbar. Top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus features a panoramic sunroof, memory front seats, traffic sign recognition and upgraded LED headlights with auto high-beam. You can add a Driving Assistance package (£1,495) onto the latter, which includes route-based speed adjustment and blind-spot monitoring, amongst other things.

Each of the five metallic paint hues cost £595 or you can choose the ‘designo’ Patagonia red metallic paint for £795.

Styling

While the first-generation car resembled an A-Class on stilts, the new car looks much more like a conventional SUV. It’s over 10cm taller than the car it replaces, with SUV styling touches like black plastic body cladding and imitation scuff plates. The wheel arches are also much squarer than they were on the previous model. At the front, a wide grille sits between angled headlights, while the rear features a wide tailgate opening and a bumper with chrome inserts and two square exhaust pipe finishers.

The new GLA looks more compact and chunkier than the previous model but the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) is longer to boost passenger space. The GLA does look sleeker than the Mercedes GLB, however, which uses its boxy shape to squeeze seven seats in.

Interior

The inside of the new GLA represents a significant upgrade on the outgoing model. The interior is carried over almost wholesale from the A-Class hatchback, featuring plusher materials and cutting-edge technology.

The extra space in the new GLA is noticeable, and rear legroom has been massively improved with the addition of a sliding bench. There’s up to 116mm more space behind the front seats than in the previous car, and shoulder room has improved too. The taller shape also means a higher driving position and a better view of the road ahead. Boot space is up to 421 litres, 14 litres more than the last car.

Engines and performance

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The new GLA will use turbocharged four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines already seen in the A-Class, with between 161 and 221bhp. Two fast AMG models with 302bhp and 415bhp are on the way too. The GLA will also share the A-Class’ underpinnings, and four-wheel drive will be offered on the AMG models and selected engines throughout the range. The amount of power sent to each set of wheels depends on the driving mode you select. A GLA plug-in hybrid will join the line-up later.

The cheapest engine is likely to be one of the most popular. The GLA 200 uses a 161bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine and hits 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, while managing up to 43.5mpg. The 302bhp Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, meanwhile, reduces the 0-62mph time down to a sports car-like 5.1 seconds.

The 2020 Mercedes GLA SUV will rival premium small SUVs like the BMW X2, Audi Q2 and Volvo XC40.

If you want your small SUV to pack a punch, take a look at the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 latest news.