After an extensive year-long search for the perfect compact SUV, my journey culminated in the acquisition of a Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. While the purchase timing during Christmas week of 2019 wasn’t ideal, the opportunity arose, and I seized it. For those navigating the car market and considering a GLA, I aim to provide an authentic Benz Gla 250 Review based on real-world driving experiences, far beyond a brief test drive. Truly understanding a vehicle requires substantial time behind the wheel, and I’m here to share my insights.
Navigating the Mercedes-Benz option catalog presents a significant hurdle. The sheer volume of choices and optional packages is overwhelming, bordering on absurd. A garage door opener as an optional extra? Inconceivable. My wishlist included around ten specific features, but finding a GLA 250配置 with that exact combination proved nearly impossible. Mercedes-Benz’s strategy of bundling desired options with less appealing ones further complicates the process. Many features I considered essential are standard in more affordable vehicles like a Honda Civic, yet with Mercedes, they are part of a complex, and often costly, game.
Therefore, if you’re contemplating a GLA purchase, meticulously research the available options for your target model year. Compile a list of must-have features, making no assumptions about standard inclusions. For instance, the 2018 GLA features power-adjustable driver’s seats, but surprisingly, the passenger seat lacks this functionality unless optioned. Such details are crucial, especially when considering the prestige associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand.
My search spanned from Hawaii to Florida to Maine, and finding a GLA 250 that aligned with my desired specifications was consistently challenging. Ultimately, my purchase involved compromising on certain features. My ideal was a white GLA “Night Edition,” also known as the “Midnight Edition,” distinguished by black accents and black spoke rims.
The second major challenge was the dealership experience. The level of dishonesty, manipulation, and deception encountered during my year-long search was unprecedented. Numerous salespeople displayed questionable ethics. Some were reluctant to provide window spec sheets until prompted with threats of taking my business elsewhere, deeming a simple email list “sufficient.” One sales representative falsely claimed a vehicle possessed a crucial option, a deception uncovered only when I requested a video walkthrough of the interior the day before a 600-mile trip to finalize the deal. Perhaps the most egregious example was a dealer who replaced premium Continental tires with budget Walmart tires just before my scheduled pick-up, a switch I detected in a “detailed and ready” car photo. These instances of questionable practices were disappointingly frequent and tarnished my expectations of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Even at the dealership where I ultimately purchased my GLA 250, a pre-existing windshield crack was evident upon pick-up. While acknowledged and “filled,” the crack remains in my direct line of sight, a blemish on a brand-new vehicle.
This experience underscores a need for Mercedes-Benz leadership to reassess the car buying process from a customer’s perspective. The current system is, frankly, deplorable. My next car purchase will likely be conducted entirely online, bypassing traditional dealerships altogether.
Let’s delve into the cons of the GLA 250, acknowledging that some points are subjective and may not resonate with all drivers.
One non-negotiable option for me was Apple CarPlay. Having experienced its convenience in my daughter’s car, I considered it essential. However, the GLA 250’s implementation is surprisingly archaic. Unlike my daughter’s older car with wireless connectivity, the GLA 250 requires a wired connection. Furthermore, the car’s design offers no practical phone storage. The USB port location at the base of the small center console, which itself is too compact to hold a phone, exacerbates this issue. The console door awkwardly crushes the connecting cord due to the absence of a cord indent. This poorly thought-out integration of Apple CarPlay is a significant disappointment. Thankfully, basic iPhone contact functionality is accessible via Bluetooth without a wired connection.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are often characterized as having a firm ride, and the GLA 250 emphatically upholds this reputation. It rides incredibly stiffly, transmitting every road imperfection directly into the cabin. While this characteristic is widely documented in GLA reviews, experiencing it firsthand is quite pronounced.
Remote start was another must-have feature. Past vehicles offered simple push-button remote start. The GLA 250 utilizes the “Mercedes Me” mobile app for remote start functionality, which initially seemed promising. However, the process is far from straightforward. It involves launching the app, pressing a button, holding another button for several seconds, and entering a four-digit PIN. Disappointingly, pre-setting heated seats for remote start is not possible. Even more perplexing, remote start is disabled if the fuel tank is below one-third full. And to compound the inconvenience, opening the car door after remote start shuts the engine off. This overly complicated and user-unfriendly remote start system is baffling.
Modern features like side-view cameras, activated by turn signals, are absent in the GLA 250. My friend’s Honda Civic includes this useful safety feature. Similarly, cornering-adaptive headlights, which enhance nighttime visibility, are also lacking, although I haven’t personally missed this feature yet.
The floor mats are shockingly cheap. Resembling indoor-outdoor carpeting from a home improvement store, they are arguably the worst floor mats I’ve ever encountered in a vehicle. Their durability seems questionable, prompting an immediate upgrade to rubber tray mats.
Continuing the theme of cost-cutting, the seats are not genuine leather. While technically “leatherette,” they feel akin to vinyl seats from a budget car. For a Mercedes-Benz, “leatherette” seats are unacceptable. Cloth seats would be a preferable alternative.
Interior storage is severely limited. The glove box barely accommodates essential documents and a small item or two. The center console, housing USB ports, offers minimal additional space. Side door pockets are equally constrained. For anyone accustomed to carrying personal items in their car, the GLA 250’s storage capacity is woefully inadequate, although this might be typical for the compact SUV class.
The satisfying “thud” of a solid door closure is absent in the GLA 250. The doors sound hollow and insubstantial when closed, detracting from the perceived quality.
Illuminated door sills, another expected premium touch, are also relegated to the options list. One wonders if even basic features like seats might become optional in future models.
While minimizing dashboard clutter is generally desirable, the GLA 250’s temperature and fan controls are excessively small and fiddly. Their diminutive size and placement make them difficult to locate and operate while driving. Furthermore, the button quality feels cheap and flimsy.
The infotainment screen, while adequately sized, appears to be an afterthought, tacked onto the dashboard. Its prominent, tablet-like protrusion led one observer to jokingly ask, “Is that your iPad?” A more integrated screen design would be aesthetically preferable.
Despite downsizing to the GLA 250 for improved fuel efficiency, the mileage is disappointing. Achieving less than 25 miles per gallon is worse than our older, six-cylinder Lexus. Fuel economy was a key consideration, making this a letdown.
Excessive cabin noise is another drawback. Between wind and engine noise, the GLA 250 is surprisingly loud, especially for a compact SUV. Upgrading the sound system helps mask the noise with music, but the underlying issue remains.
A minor ergonomic quirk is the driver’s side sun visor, which lacks a left-hand indent for easy folding.
The panoramic roof initially raised expectations of a large, open sunroof, envisioning a near-convertible experience. However, while the roof is indeed panoramic, the actual sunroof opening is quite small, retracting only a limited portion of the glass.
Paying extra for the garage door opener option was another source of frustration. This feature, arguably standard in modern vehicles, is not only optional but also incompatible with certain garage door openers, including my Sears Craftsman. This incompatibility renders the paid option useless, necessitating the continued use of a traditional visor-clipped opener.
Despite this extensive list of criticisms, it’s crucial to clarify that I don’t dislike the GLA 250. My disappointment stems from Mercedes-Benz’s shortcomings in various areas, but the vehicle itself possesses redeeming qualities.
Now, let’s focus on the positive aspects of this quirky compact SUV.
The upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system is exceptional. While I can’t directly compare it to the standard system, the Harmon Kardon audio is truly impressive, delivering rich and immersive sound.
The handling is remarkably agile. The GLA 250 corners with precision, boasts a tight turning radius, and offers easy maneuverability in reverse. Braking performance is also commendable.
Seat comfort is surprisingly good. Despite initial concerns about the “leatherette” material, the seats are comfortable and supportive. Extensive adjustability allows for personalized comfort. The seatback recline and steering wheel adjustment are particularly noteworthy.
Safety features are a significant highlight. The rear-view camera provides a clear, wide, and crisp image, even at night. The eight-inch monitor is ideally sized for the cabin. Lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring systems all contribute to a safer driving experience. However, verifying the inclusion of these options on the window sticker is essential.
The hands-free liftgate, while sometimes finicky, is a convenient feature. Precise foot placement is required for activation, but with practice, it becomes more reliable.
The Mercedes Me mobile app is user-friendly and well-designed. It offers a range of functionalities, from monitoring fuel levels and door lock status to providing maintenance reminders. While the dealership representative mentioned its “free for now” nature, the expectation is that basic app functionality should remain complimentary.
In conclusion, I find myself liking the GLA 250. The white “Midnight Edition” aesthetic, with its black wheels and accents, is undeniably striking and has garnered numerous compliments. While the purchasing experience and certain feature omissions were disappointing, the GLA 250 offers a blend of Mercedes-Benz prestige in a compact package.
Comparing it to a Honda Civic, the GLA 250 carries a significant price premium. While the Civic offers more standard features, the expectation is that the Mercedes-Benz engine will deliver superior longevity and performance. Resale value retention is also anticipated to be stronger. Ultimately, the GLA 250 represents an entry point into the Mercedes-Benz brand for those seeking a more premium image than mainstream options.
For anyone considering a GLA 250, thoroughly research and prioritize desired options. This is not a vehicle to purchase impulsively off the lot. Renting a GLA 250 for an extended test drive, perhaps through Enterprise’s “prestige lineup,” is highly recommended. A weekend or longer behind the wheel will provide a more comprehensive understanding of whether this vehicle aligns with your needs and preferences.
Thank you for your time. And remember: Enjoy the ride, it goes by fast.
