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Immediately I am struck by the familiar yet modern box-like face on the 2021 GLA 250 4Matic SUV that is the signature of the Mercedes-Benz brand. It is muscular and seamless and bold in this second generation vehicle.
This car exudes sex appeal, a quality that is always in high demand in the car industry.
Although the 2021 GLA 250 is the smallest of Mercedes-Benz’s SUV, it doesn’t feel small. It feels like Mercedez-Benz knew that to beat its competitors it had to merge its styling with crossover specs and it more than accomplished that in my book. The larger dimensions make it easier to seat people comfortably and still leave room for plenty of cargo. In fact, the legroom in the back grew by nearly five inches, which makes it feel like its luxurious, larger lines.
The fuel economy on this five-passenger vehicle is 24 miles to the gallon in the city while you get a solid 33 mpg on the highway.
The all new 2021 GLA advances the Mercedes-Benz legacy through innovation and capability. A new 221 horsepower turbo-4, variable-torque 4-matic all-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels and a digital cockpit with the MBUX voice assistant are standard. Now that is a pleasant mouthful.
You get all that for a starting price of just over $38,000.
A standout for me was the suspension, which keeps your ride from turning into a roller coaster on bumpy roads or when coming face to face with a pothole.
One of the things that impressed me from the get go is the height, which went up by nearly four inches, with the width increasing by more than an inch. Gone is the hatch-back feel that made it more sporty, but I have to say I don’t miss it at all.
And, when you are behind the wheel, it is no coincidence that you feel like you are seated higher. That’s because the front seat’s position is higher by about four inches, which means the road and your instruments are much easier to see.
The interior overall is modern and easy to manage at any speed. For about $10,000 more than the starting price, you get lots of great stuff including two 10.3-inch monitors, with one providing the instrument interface. The other is home to the infotainment system, both of which you will recognize in other Mercedez-Benz models.
Now let’s talk about the MBUX voice assistant, which allows you to control your digital experience with your voice or by touchscreen. It sounds funny, but I am a bit old school, preferring the ease and precision and tactile world of the touchscreen.
The bottom line for me was when I got out of the car. I immediately wanted to get back in to experience that luxury feel and strong handling that the 2021 Mercedez-Benz GLA 250 4-Matic SUV has to offer. Although it is billed as the smallest of its SUVs, for me it has as much styling and luxury as its larger brothers and still makes you feel like you got more than your money’s worth.
