Unveiled in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the company's smallest crossover yet and shares underpinnings with the A-Class hatchback. Much like al Mercedes-Benz vehicles, it received its very own AMG version. Previewed by a concept car in 2013, the production model arrived in 2014 with the same engine as the awesome Mercedes A45 AMG hatch. The GLA45 joined a new niche in the compact luxury market, introduced by Audi with the RS Q3 a year before. As of 2017, the much rumored M version of the BMW X1 has yet to arrive, leaving only Mercedes-Benz and Audi to battle for supremacy in this segment.

Unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, the Mercedes GLA45 AMG went on sale as the Edition 1, a promotional version fitted with high-gloss black Aerodynamics package with larger front splitter, additional flics in the front apron, and rear aerofoil. This model was available for only one year on the market, but it was quickly joined by the regular variant. A facelift was rolled out in 2017, only a few months after Mercedes-Benz unveiled the updated GLA.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes GLA45 AMG.

2015 Mercedes GLA45 AMG

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Mercedes GLA45 AMG
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 360 @ 6000
  • Torque: 332 @ 5000
  • Transmission: Seven-Speed AMG Speedshift MCT
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2015 Mercedes GLA45 AMG is distinguished by the usual design elements we've seen in all the AMG models launched in the past. When compared to a base GLA model, the AMG model adds an AMG front apron with front splitter and an AMG "twin blade" grille. New on the GLA45 AMG is the distinctive AMG lettering at the side between the louvers of the radiator grille and black flicks placed above the large cooling air intakes on the sides. The rear is updated with new diffuser inserts in matte titanium and a sports exhaust system with dual rectangular tailpipes.

The new GLA45 AMG also features standard bi-xenon headlights and AMG light-alloy wheels in three designs. Spicing things up a bit are "Turbo AMG" logos on the front wings and the aluminum roof rails. As with most of the AMG models, the GLA45 AMG model can be updated with a series of new packages. The first one is a new Aerodynamics package that adds a larger front splitter and additional flicks on the front apron and rear spoiler. There is also a new Carbon-Fiber package that adds carbon-fiber front splitter, side sill panel insert and rear apron trim, with twin blades on the grille in silver chrome.

Rendering Vs. Reality

There wasn't too much guesswork in making our rendering, as we basically just took a GLA-Class, added the typical AMG elements, and there you have it. This is exactly why our rendering was so close to the real deal, sans some coloring details.

Interior

For the interior, the GLA45 AMG adds the same elements we've seen in previously launched AMG models. The sports seats are wrapped in a combination of leather and Dinamica microfiber with with red contrast stitching. Mercedes also installed a three-spoke, Nappa leather-wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel with red contrasting stitching and shift paddles. Seated in the brushed-aluminum instrument panel is an AMG instrument cluster that gives the driver all the information needed on the SUV's performance figures.

Drivetrain

The new GLA45 AMG is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The engine mates to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission with three driving modes: manual mode "M", sport mode "S" and "C" mode (Controlled Efficiency). Sounds familiar? It should, because it's the exact same drivetrain offered in the Mercedes A45 AMG hatchback.

This drivetrain sprints the GLA45 AMG to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). As expected, the new GLA45 AMG comes standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive that ensures improved performance figures and updated driving dynamics. Even with just four cylinders pumping away, the exhaust note is that of a V-8, thanks to its AMG sports exhaust system that includes large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder

Output (Horsepower @ RPM)

355 @ TBA

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

332 @ TBA

Drive Type

4MATIC All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Dual-Clutch Seven-Speed Automatic

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

4.8 Sec.

Top Speed

155 MPH (Limited)


Suspension and Brakes

Another interesting feature offered by the new GLA45 AMG is the AMG sports suspension, which features specially tuned spring and damper units, and the AMG high-performance braking system with vented and cross-drilled rotors. Customers can choose between standard five-twin-spoke wheels wrapped in 235/45R19 tires or optional, 10-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels with tires sized 235/40R20. Both are available in titanium grey with high-sheen finish, but the optional wheels also come in matte-black.

Prices

The Mercedes GLA45 AMG is priced from $49,225, including the $925 destination charge.

Competition

2014 Audi RS Q3

Also a beefed-up version of its stock sibling, the RS Q3 arrive a few months before the GLA45 AMG, thus we can consider as the crossover that started this whole niche. Equipped with typical RS features like more aggressive bumpers, a revised grille mesh, and exclusive features inside the cabin, the RS Q3 gets its juice from Audi's already legendary 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. The turbocharged unit cranks out 310 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to push it from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.

Read our full review on the 2014 Audi RS Q3.

2014 BMW X1 xDrive35i

The X1 xDrive35i is not necessarily a performance variant, like the RS Q3 and the GLA 45 AMG, but its 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter six-cylinder puts it about on par with these models. Independent testing puts the X1 xDrive35i at 5.8 seconds to 60 mph, making it slightly slower than both the Audi and Mercedes models. Maybe an M model is in the cards for the tiny Bimmer SUV, but there is no word on it yet.

Read our full review on the 2014 BMW X1 xDrive35i.

Conclusion

Though the GLA45 AMG doesn't really shock us with its looks, we are amazed by its performance abilities. It easily trounces its two main competitors. That said, the big issue is the massive price of this peppy SUV, as Mercedes has a bad habit of coming in significantly higher than its competition. Overall, though, the GLA45 AMG is exactly what we were hoping for, and then some...