We take the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GLA compact luxury SUV for a spin on Indian roads. Should Audi and BMW be worried? Read on to find out.
What is it?
The GLA is Mercedes-Benz’s small SUV that is set to go head to head with the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo V40 Cross Country. It’s built on the same platform as the A- and B-class and, like the hatchbacks, carries Mercedes’s bold new design language rather well.
It’s not a very tall car and hence, easier to think of as a crossover than a proper SUV. To put things in perspective, its stance is somewhere between the estate-like X3’s and the more upright Q3’s. Whether that works for you or not, you’ll agree that the GLA does look quite striking in the flesh. The beautifully-detailed headlights and large grille up front, the swoopy curves on the sides and that wide-hipped rear give the GLA ample star quality.
The aluminium scuff-plate, roof rails and plastic cladding on the wheel arches also help the look, but perhaps not as much as the wheels. GLA for India comes with 18-inch wheels as standard and they do look very nice.