Mercedes-Benz GLA 200

The new second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247) is now in Malaysia, modestly upgraded inside and out for 2024.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Pekan, Pahang), the compact crossover comes in one variant (GLA 200 Progressive Line).

Priced at MYR 258,888 (on-the-road, w/o insurance), included is a four-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

Exterior colours. Cosmos Black Metallic, Mountain Grey Metallic, Iridium Blue Metallic, Polar White Metallic, and Spectral Blue Metallic.

The new GLA 200 gets an elegant and ergonomic dashboard, with a very refined, clean and highly-premium finish.

Upholstery is in Artico man-made leather (black), accentuated by spiral-look/star-patterned backlit and silver trim elements. 

Filling up the space are the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system, and protruding, turbine-designed air-conditioning vents.

Elsewhere (centre console), deleted is the central touchpad. Swapped for a storage cubby, the Dynamic Access drive mode buttons, and a fingerprint sensor.

One half of a twin unit, installed is a 10.25-Inch Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (latest software - NTG 7) with a Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Featured are new display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service), and seven colour schemes.

Luxuriously upholstered, the interior of the five-seater is in all-black Artico man-made leather, with optional Bertrix fabric.

The front sees Comfort Seats, featuring electronic adjustments, climate control and memory function (driver). The rear gets a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration bench.

Heightening the cabin are Velour floor mats, black fabric headliner, and ambient lights (64 colours). 

Courtesy of its borderline bulbous build, the front and rear occupants have ample mobility. Adequately comfortable with generous head, leg and shoulder rooms.

Numerous storage areas. E.g., centre console storage box and compartmentalised spaces, medium sized glove box, seat back and side door pockets.

Mounted is a leather sports steering wheel in a three-spoke, black with silver trim design. 

Features are multi-function controls (touch-based - media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters, and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

There are four cup holders, two located at the front centre console and two at the rear armrest, and there are four bottle holders, located at each side door pocket.

Equipped with multiple USB ports and 12-V power sockets. Also included is a wireless charger.

The boot comes with the Easy-Pack tailgate feature (hands-free, kick-sensor), providing a contactless operation that opens up to 425-Litres (seats up) and 1,420-Litres (seats down) of load space.

Weighing in at 1,485 KG, the new GLA 200 stands at 4,412 MM long, 2,020 MM wide, 1,616 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,729 MM.

Sophisticated and sporty, its dynamically-rounded and compact silhouette sees subtle updates to its characteristic front-end.

Installed is a new bonnet with the Merc’s ‘Powerdomes’, a new single louvre grille with black inserts, and a new bumper.

Accentuating the layout is the Progressive Line kit, featuring chrome trimmings (grille, lower bumper, side sills, side window surrounds).

Subtly revamped, its familiar rear-end further exudes a polished and athletic appeal, with minimalistic and smooth contours. 

Incorporated on its slightly rakish roofline is a roof-edge spoiler, and the bumper sees a dual-tailpipe-integrated chrome diffuser.

Emphasising the layout is the Progressive Line kit, featuring chrome trimmings (lower bumper, side sills, side window surrounds).

Rounded and focused, installed are LED High Performance headlamps with auto On/Off, Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

New, the wrapped-around and softly-framed tail lamps come in full LED units with dynamic turn indicators.

Outfitted with a Mirror Package, the side mirrors are electronically-powered (fold, adjust) with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and an auto-dimming function.

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

Latching it to the ground is an aerodynamically optimised, 18-Inch five-twin-spoke high-gloss black light-alloy rims, wrapped in 235/55 R18 Continental EcoContact6 tyres.

The new GLA 200 features the following set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are, Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, Exit Warning Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, Lane Tracking Package, Parking Package (camera - 360-degree, reverse). 

Others include, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and passive cruise control.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver, passenger, front side, front/rear curtains), airbag disable function, seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, door ajar warning, interior monitoring system, engine immobiliser, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), GUARD 360-degree Vehicle protection,  tow-away protection, Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold (ABH), TIREFIT, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Four drive modes accessible via the DYNAMIC SELECT programme. Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Individual.

Another half of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system, installed is a 10.25-Inch digital touchscreen display, with new display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service), and seven colour schemes.

The system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation (live traffic info), MBUX Interior Assistant (voice/gesture/steering touch controls), climate control, fingerprint scanner (MBUX custom drive settings), and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (wired).

The suite of ADAS will make travels less fatigue and less of a burden for the driver, as well as much safer for all passengers at all speeds.

Accompanying the media system is a six-speaker setup.

Harbouring in the new GLA 200 is the familiar M282, 1.3-Litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 163 HP/120 KW at 5,500 RPM and 250 NM of torque at 2,000 to 3,500 RPM.

Installed is a 7G-DCT (seven-speed, dual-clutch) automatic transmission.

Power is sent to the front axle, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD).

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 8.9 seconds, and top speed is 210 KM/H. 

Fuel tank capacity is at 43-Litres, and fuel consumption reads at 5.6 L/100 KM. 

The new GLA 200 gets KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package (keyless entry/go, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack tailgate (contactless, kick-sensor), THERMATIC single-zone automatic climate control, Comfort Seat Package, steering wheel (multi-function, paddle shifters, EPS), MBUX multimedia system, 64-colour ambient lighting, auto headlamps and wipers, wireless charger, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (exterior, interior), blind spot indicators, parking cameras (360-degree, reverse), parking sensors (six - front, rear), interior map lights, and auto-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.

Ride comfortability feels precise and firm at the same time. The overall drive is tuned to provide stability and grip to the driver without sacrificing any comfort.

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, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts or at all speeds. 

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 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.

Overall, the build quality is excellent, and with all the features it comes with, the new GLA 200 Progressive Line is definitely one of Merc’s SUVs to consider.