Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Menu
  • News
  • A-Class
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • E-Class
  • S-Class
  • G-Class
  • V-Class
  • X-Class
  • T-Class
  • CLA
  • CLS
  • CLK
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Citan
  • Sprinter
  • AMG GT
  • Maybach
  • EQ
  • Unimog
  • Trucks
  • F1
  • Concept Car

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e Exclusive Edition Review

Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG 16/02/2021 2 Comments
Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG
Click to rate this post
[Total: 1 Average: 5]

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e is a competent all-rounder that offers a decent range, predictable handling and a plush, tech-filled cabin – not to mention low emissions and favourable company car tax rates. But as the push towards full-electric gathers pace, this small SUV’s biggest competition comes from within. The all-new, pure-electric EQA, which is based on the same platform as the GLA, costs just a few hundred pounds more and will do more than 200 miles on a charge. This, more than anything, makes the GLA feel like a stepping stone; many buyers may find they’re better suited to the EV.
 

The original Mercedes GLA defined the term ‘crossover’. Based on the A-Class of the time, the brand gave its smallest model some SUV flavour with clever body cladding and a raised ride height. But it was flawed from the outset, with compromised packaging and an underwhelming driving experience.
 
The new model is much more SUV-like in its appearance. Based once again on the A-Class hatchback, it was launched last year with that car’s range of petrol and diesel engines. But, with the current push towards electric and hybrid technology showing no signs of slowing, it was only a matter of time before Mercedes added this plug-in GLA 250 e to the line-up. A pure-electric EQA has also been announced.
 

Featuring the same 1.3-litre petrol engine you’ll find in cheaper GLAs, the hybrid adds power from a 10.6kWh battery and a 101bhp electric motor. Mercedes says it’ll do 37 miles on electric power (30 is probably more realistic) with tax-busting CO2 emissions of just 32g/km.
 
Like many plug-in hybrids, that’ll make the GLA a particularly appealing proposition for company car drivers. However, whereas the A 250 e manages more than 40 miles on electric power, therefore falling into the six per cent (seven per cent from April 2021) Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket, the GLA’s slightly less favourable numbers raise it one band to 10 per cent (11 per cent from April).
 

The plug-in GLA is currently only available in high-spec Exclusive Edition trim, bringing kit like smartphone integration with wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as heated leather seats, 19-inch wheels, LED lights and AMG body styling. You can add the Premium pack for £1,500 (larger 10-inch instrument cluster, keyless entry and ambient lighting) or the Premium Plus pack at £3,000, featuring extras like multibeam headlights and a panoramic roof.
 
Those looking at the GLA should also take note that any of these extras will send the SUV’s list price north of the £40,000 road tax threshold. Tick a single box and you’ll be liable for an additional £325 per year for the first five years – a fee that most A-Class (and all EQA) buyers will avoid.
 

Still, if you have the means to charge your GLA regularly, you could quickly recoup those costs. The Merc’s relatively powerful on-board charger means you can top up the batteries to full in just an hour and 45 minutes using a 7kW wallbox – or five-and-a-half hours via a three-pin plug. Every car comes with cables for both home and public charging as standard.
 
On the road the GLA 250 e feels fast enough, and with the battery charged it’ll do a good job of prioritising electric power as its default. The switch between electric and petrol is smooth, too.
 

The engine will only really raise its voice when you ask for more performance, at which point the GLA feels much like the slightly taller A-Class that it is. There is perhaps a little more lean through faster changes of direction, but the SUV still handles neatly, with sufficient grip despite it being front rather than four-wheel drive.
 
Overall, then, the GLA 250 e behaves exactly as you’d want or expect it to. A BMW X1 xDrive25e is more fun, but the Mercedes is predictable and safe in the way it goes about its business. The steering is light but direct, the power delivery punchy and smooth, and the ride more than comfortable enough for the UK’s rough and pockmarked roads.
 

Elsewhere, the GLA’s tech-filled cabin is among the slickest and best-appointed in the class. As mentioned, you’ll need to add the Premium pack for the largest instrument cluster, but the way the steering wheel obscures the very edges means this isn’t an essential bit of kit. The infotainment system is logical and slick, plus the graphics are crystal clear.
 
Practicality does suffer slightly in the transition between petrol and plug-in, with the boot shrinking from 495 litres to 445 litres. It’s still a usable shape and size, but those wanting to carry the charging cables around might be less than impressed with the lack of under-floor storage. Space in the back is par for the course, with enough room for most adults to get comfortable.

Share this ↓

Related posts :

  1. Mercedes-Benz GLA 2020 Expression Of Inner Strength
  2. Mercedes-Benz GLA Drive Into A Racetrack Confused
  3. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Mercedes-Benz GLB Luggage Test
  4. Kevin Hart Buy A Mercedes-Benz GLA Surprises His Daughter
  5. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA Full Review Test Drive
  6. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA Get 5 Stars At The Euro NCAP Crash Tests
  7. Mercedes-Benz GLA Small Premium SUV Of The Year 2021
  8. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA Review Test Drive
  9. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Review By MBWorld
  10. 2022 Mercedes EQA, GLA Petrol, GLA Diesel And PHEV Comparison
  11. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 Is About To Make Landfall
  12. Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d 2021 Small Premium SUV Of The Year
  13. 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d 4Matic Full Review
  14. 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA Pre-Facelift Review & Test Drive
  15. Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e Are Getting Plug-In Hybrid Variants
  16. New Mercedes-Benz GLA 2020 Prices announced
  17. New Mercedes-Benz GLA 2020 First Review
  18. New Mercedes-Benz GLA 2020 First Preview
  19. Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 US Version Review
  20. Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e Plug-In Hybrid First Review
Prev Article
Next Article

2 Comments

  1. see here

    great publish, very informative. I wonder why the other
    experts of this sector do not realize this. You must
    proceed your writing. I am confident, you’ve
    a huge readers’ base already!

    27/01/2023
  2. Joesph

    hello there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here.
    I did however expertise several technical points using this web site,
    since I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could
    get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?
    Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
    will very frequently affect your placement in google and
    could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.

    Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could
    look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content.
    Ensure that you update this again soon.

    27/01/2023

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Google Translate

Recent Posts

  • Mercedes MBUX Hyperscreen How It Works?
  • Mercedes-Benz 600 SL Combines Two Classics To Create Something Challenging
  • Mercedes-Benz’s 93,000 German Employees Getting €7,300 Bonus
  • Mercedes-Benz G 500 Hot Wheels Tooned Review
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz Citan Van Reveals UK Pricing
  • Mercedes G-Class Armored And Stretched Puts The G In Gangsta
  • TGN Mercedes-Benz G900 Brabus By Ceky Performance 1050HP
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Class Kyosho VS Matchbox VS Tomica VS Majorette
  • Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG Prices Are Going Up
  • 2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S Launched With 416HP
  • 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe Show High-Tech Interior
  • Mercedes-Maybach Van V12 For $300,000
  • Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Has Doubled Its Price
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQC Mid-Size Electric Model Looks Of A 4-Door Coupe
  • 5 Most Powerful Mercedes-Benz Cars
  • 5 Most Expensive Mercedes-Benz Cars
  • Mercedes G-Wagon & W124 Station Wagon Builds Are Both Amazing
  • Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon By Vath With 879HP
  • 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S 580 Review Test Drive
  • Mercedes EQA Sedan Testing In The Cold

Categories

  • A-Class
  • AMG GT
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • Citan
  • CLA
  • CLK
  • CLS
  • Concept Car
  • E-Class
  • EQ
  • F1
  • G-Class
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • Maybach
  • News
  • S-Class
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Sprinter
  • T-Class
  • Trucks
  • Unimog
  • V-Class
  • X-Class

Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Copyright © 2023 Mercedes-Benz Worldwide