Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line

The German’s latest GLA expansion, a higher-spec and look-faster version, the new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

Codenamed H247, the compact SUV (crossover) is in its second-generation, and slots in above the equally facelifted (January 2024) GLA 200 model.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Pahang), available is a single variant (GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line), retailing at MYR 295,888 (OTR, w/o insurance).

Included is a standard vehicle warranty (four years/unlimited-mileage). Optional is an extended vehicle warranty (six years/unlimited-mileage).

Exterior colours (Cosmos Black Metallic, Mountain Grey Metallic, Spectral Blue Metallic, Iridium Silver Metallic, Polar White Metallic).

The new GLA 250 has a cascading-tiered dashboard design, linked to a low-rising centre console (deleted gear-shifter, Dynamic Access button, retractable-cover stowage).

Soft-/hard-touch panelled (dash, centre console, door beltlines), it sees ARTICO man-made leather (Black), Light Longitudinal-Grain Aluminium and High-Gloss Black trims.

Centre-staged is the twin-screen setup (glass-covered - MBUX multimedia system - instrument/infotainment displays), and air-conditioning vents (turbine-designed).

Accentuating the layout is an ambient lighting system (Light and Sight Package - active - 64-colour), and AMG sports pedals (brushed stainless steel - black rubber studs).

Overall, the build is well-designed, with accessibilities strategically-arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Part of a twin unit, installed is a 10.25-Inch Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (second-generation NTG 7).

Features are three display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Luxurious, the interior features upholstery (seats, door beltlines) in ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT-microfibre (Black) with contrast stitching (Red).

The front gets electric-powered sports seats (driver/passenger - multi-way/-contour, lumbar, memory, heating/ventilation). The rear gets a manual-operated (button - 40:20:40 split-fold) bolstered bench seat.

Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), a fabric headliner (Black), and AMG floor mats.

Courtesy of its borderline bulbous build, the five-seater offers ample interior mobility, providing the front and rear occupants with generous cabin space. 

Adequately comfortable with sufficient head-, shoulder- and leg-room.

Practical storage spaces. E.g., a glove box, centre console caverned/partitioned spaces with under-stowage, and seat back/side door pockets.

Mounted is a sports steering wheel, in a tri-rounded-twin-spoke-flat-bottom design, wrapped in Nappa leather (Black) and detailed with trims (Chrome).

Features are multi-switches (capacitive touch controls - media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters (Silver-Chrome), and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Provided are four cup holders (two - front, rear). Also present are four bottle holders (door pockets - front, rear).

Equipped are four USB ports (two - front, rear - USB Package Plus), one 12 V power socket (front), and one wireless charger (front).

The boot comes with the Easy-Pack Tailgate feature (handsfree - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button).

Accessing its contactless function opens up to 425-Litres (rear seats up) of load space (1,420-Litres - rear seats down).

Weighing in at 1,485 KG, the new GLA 250 stands at 4,412 MM long, 2,020 MM wide, 1,616 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,729 MM.

Sophisticatedly-sporty adorning the AMG Line kit, it exudes a dynamically-rounded and compact exterior, with smooth contours and clean-cut lines.

The front-end sees Merc’s power dome bonnet (Mercedes-Benz emblem), flared quarter panels (fender linings - body-colour), a Diamond grille (Chrome pins, Matte Grey single-louvre - Chrome inserts), and an AMG bumper (large corner/centre intakes - High-Gloss-Black surrounds, splitter - body-colour, Chrome trims).

Accentuations are body claddings/trimmings (Black - side sills, side mirrors/Chrome - side sill inlays, Aluminium - beltline, window surrounds), and roof rails (Aluminium).

Solidly-rounded, it continues the AMG Line kit parading a seamlessly-jointed and fairly-curvaceous silhouette.

The rear-end sees a mildly-dipped roofline, a D-pillar flowing roof-edge spoiler, flared quarter panels (fender linings - body-colour), a middle-bulging tailgate (Mercedes-Benz emblem), and an AMG bumper (diffuser - Black - two rounded Chrome-tipped exhausts, four vertical fins, Chrome inlay).

Accentuations are body claddings/trimmings (Black - bumper, side sills/Chrome - side sill inlays, Aluminium - beltline, window surrounds), and roof rails (Aluminium).

Angularly-rounded, the headlamps are housed inward-tilted, radiating a fierce outlook. Installed are LED High Performance units with new signature light graphics.

Features are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, Adaptive High Beam Assist, welcome/leaving lights and dynamic turn signals.

Seamlessly-elongated, the tail lamps are housed in a wraparound and frameless design with new signature light graphics. 

Installed are full LED units. Features are welcome/leaving lights, and dynamic turn signals. Paired to the setup is a high-mounted brake light (spoiler-integrated).

The side mirrors (Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), featuring dynamic turn signals, blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Assist - BSA), and automatic-dimming (Mirror Package). 

Fitted are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes (Sports Brake System). Aiding the drive is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.  

Latching it to the ground is an aerodynamically optimised, 19-Inch five-twin-spoke (Tantalite Grey - high-sheen) light-alloy rims, wrapped in 235/50 R19 (front, rear) Continental EcoContact6 tyres.

The new GLA 250 features the following set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Parking Package, grouped are Active Parking Assist, and parking cameras (360-degree, reverse). 

Other systems, Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), Blind Spot Assist, Exit Warning Assist, Active Brake Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety under GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection, grouped are Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA), tow-away protection, and interior monitoring system. 

Others include seven airbags (driver, passenger, front side, front/rear curtains), airbag disable function (front passenger), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (anchor, top tether), Passive Cruise Control, Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior - Mirror Package), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, TIREFIT and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Multiple drive modes (DYNAMIC SELECT - COMFORT, SPORT, ECO, OFF-ROAD, INDIVIDUAL).

Completing the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system, installed is a 10.25-Inch touchscreen display.

System supports three display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Features are MBUX Interior Assistant (voice/touch controls), Live Traffic Information, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), and Mercedes-Benz emergency call system.

Entertainment is channelled through a six-speaker setup.

The new GLA 250 harbours a Mild-Hybrid (MHEV) powertrain.

Nestled is a 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged direct-injection DOHC petrol engine (M260), producing 224 HP (165 KW) at 5,500 RPM and 350 NM at 2,000 to 4,000 RPM.

Working in tandem is Mercedes’ second-generation Belt-Driven Starter-Generator (RSG), a 48 V mild-hybrid system, providing an extra boost of 10 KW (14 HP) and 150 NM.

Mated to the setup is an 8G-DCT (eight-speed, dual-clutch) automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels, via Mercedes’ fully-variable 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. 

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 6.8 seconds, and top speed is 240 KM/H. 

Fuel tank capacity is at 43-Litres, and fuel consumption reads at 7.4 L/100 KM to 8.1 L/100 KM.

The new GLA 250 features these conveniences.

E.g., KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package (keyless access, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack Tailgate (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button), Mirror package (automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors - exterior, interior), Light And Sight Package (64-colour active ambient lights, exterior Mercedes-Benz surround lighting projection, interior LED lights), THERMATIC single-zone automatic climate control, electric-powered sports seats (driver/passenger - multi-way/-contour, lumbar, memory, heating/ventilation), steering wheel (column adjustments, multi-switches, paddle shifters, EPAS), MBUX Multimedia System (MBUX Interior Assistant, MBUX custom drive settings), multiple power outlets (four - USBs, one - 12 V socket, one - wireless charger), interior monitoring system, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Assist - BSA), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), automatic-pinch windows (up/down), and speed sensing door locks.

Propping up the chassis is a setup of MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear), incorporating a lowered comfort suspension.

Drivability feels precise and firm at the same time with performance tuned to provide stability and grip to the driver without sacrificing any comfort.

Overall, it is comfortably-spacious, suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

The cabin is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience with good sound insulation, accounting for all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line exudes an elegantly-sporty build, a well-deserved upgrade for the 2024 model year.

Bringing with it both performance and comfort, it encapsulates the passengers in a high-tech and luxuriously-appointed cabin.

Ultimately, the build quality is excellent, and with all the features it comes with, the new GLA 250 is definitely one of Merc’s SUVs to consider.