The 2017 Mercedes-benz Gla Suv stands as a versatile and stylish option in the compact luxury SUV segment. This model year offered a compelling blend of Mercedes-Benz luxury, SUV practicality, and engaging performance, making it an attractive choice for a variety of drivers. Whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring weekend getaways, the GLA SUV provided a well-rounded driving experience. Let’s delve into the details of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV, exploring its features, options, and performance capabilities.
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250: Standard Features and Options
The foundation of the 2017 GLA SUV lineup is the GLA250. This model comes generously equipped with a range of standard features designed to enhance comfort, convenience, and style.
Exterior Design and Features
The GLA250 makes a strong first impression with its 18-inch alloy wheels, providing a balanced look of sophistication and sportiness. Privacy glass adds an element of exclusivity and helps to keep the cabin cool and private. Foglights enhance visibility in adverse weather conditions, while automatic wipers add a touch of convenience during rain. Accessing the cargo area is made easy with a power liftgate. Cruise control is standard for relaxed highway driving.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside, the GLA250 offers a comfortable and well-appointed cabin. Dual-zone automatic climate control ensures personalized comfort for both the driver and passenger. The driver enjoys a 14-way power driver seat with four-way power lumbar support, ensuring optimal driving posture. The front passenger gets a 10-way manual passenger seat that includes a convenient fold-flat feature for maximizing cargo space. Driver memory settings recall preferred seat and mirror positions. A driver information display keeps essential vehicle data readily visible. Selectable driving modes allow drivers to tailor the GLA250’s driving dynamics to their preferences. MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery provides a luxurious feel while being durable and easy to maintain. Ambient interior lighting sets a refined mood within the cabin, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel ensures a comfortable driving position for various body types. The 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks with a cargo pass-through enhance cargo versatility.
For in-car entertainment and connectivity, the GLA250 features a 7-inch central display controlled by a console-mounted control knob. Bluetooth connectivity enables hands-free calling and audio streaming. A six-speaker audio system with a CD player, HD radio, an SD card reader, and two USB ports provides a variety of media options. Select Mercedes-Benz Mbrace telematics system features, including a Wi-Fi hot spot and concierge services, were available via subscription.
GLA250 4Matic: Enhanced Capability
For those seeking enhanced traction and all-weather capability, the GLA250 4Matic model adds all-wheel drive. This version further includes hill descent control for confident off-road driving and an off-road status monitor displayed on the 7-inch screen, providing information such as steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage. These additions enhance the GLA250’s sport-activity credentials.
Optional Packages for the GLA250
Mercedes-Benz offered several packages to further customize the GLA250 to individual preferences.
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Premium Package: This popular package adds desirable features such as a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, and an upgraded 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with satellite radio.
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Multimedia Package: Upgrading the infotainment system, this package includes a larger 8-inch screen, a navigation system, voice controls, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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Sport Package: For a more athletic appearance and feel, the Sport package adds 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, and more aggressively styled exterior elements.
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Night Package: Available in conjunction with the Sport package, the Night package enhances the sporty aesthetic with black wheels and gloss-black exterior accents.
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Interior Package: Elevating the cabin ambiance, this package includes leather seating, front sport seats, enhanced ambient interior lighting, and MB-Tex dash trim.
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Driver Assistance Package: Focusing on safety and convenience, this package features adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
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Convenience Package: Adding practical features, the Convenience package includes auto-dimming mirrors and a garage door opener.
Standalone Options
Beyond packages, the 2017 GLA250 offered a selection of standalone options, including some items also found in the packages. These standalone options included xenon headlights and LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, parking sensors with an automated parking system, and a 14-way power passenger seat with memory.
2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 45: High-Performance Variant
For drivers seeking exhilarating performance, the AMG GLA 45 represents the high-performance version of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV. It builds upon the GLA250’s foundation and adds significant upgrades focused on power and driving dynamics.
Performance Enhancements
The AMG GLA 45 comes standard with all-wheel drive and a significantly more powerful engine. It features a sport exhaust system, unique 19-inch wheels, an AMG sport-tuned suspension and steering, and upgraded brakes to handle the increased performance.
AMG GLA 45 Standard Features
In addition to the GLA250’s standard features, the AMG GLA 45 includes xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, the power passenger seat, MB-Tex/simulated-suede upholstery, and unique AMG styling cues. These include a more aggressive front fascia, flared wheel arches, and quad tailpipes.
AMG GLA 45 Options
The AMG GLA 45’s options largely mirrored those of the GLA250, but also included performance-oriented choices such as 20-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats, an upgraded steering wheel, a large rear spoiler, and a performance exhaust system. Notably, the Sport and Night packages from the GLA250 were not available on the AMG GLA 45.
The exclusive Dynamic Plus package for the AMG GLA 45 added features like adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip front differential, a Race driving mode, and an increased top speed. For further personalization, carbon-fiber exterior trim, an Aerodynamics package, and the AMG Dinamica package were available, enhancing both performance and visual appeal.
Engine and Performance Details
Under the hood, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. In Edmunds track testing, the GLA250 4Matic outperformed Mercedes’ estimated 0-60 mph time, achieving it in 6.8 seconds.
The AMG GLA 45 boasts a significantly enhanced version of the same 2.0-liter engine, generating an impressive 375 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. It utilizes a quicker-shifting version of the seven-speed transmission and sends power to all four wheels. The AMG GLA 45 also features a three-mode stability control system and offers available launch control. Mercedes-Benz states a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.3 seconds for the AMG GLA 45.
Both the GLA250 and AMG GLA 45 models incorporate an automatic stop-start function to improve fuel efficiency in city driving.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy figures for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV are respectable for the segment. The front-wheel-drive GLA250 achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway). The GLA250 4Matic is rated at 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). Even the high-performance AMG GLA 45 manages a reasonable 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV offered a compelling entry point into the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. The GLA250 provided a well-equipped and comfortable option for daily driving, with available 4Matic all-wheel drive for enhanced versatility. For driving enthusiasts, the AMG GLA 45 delivered exhilarating performance and distinctive styling. Whether prioritizing luxury, practicality, or performance, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV presented a range of appealing choices in the compact luxury SUV market.
