The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA emerges as a versatile and luxurious compact SUV, designed to meet the demands of drivers seeking both sophistication and practicality. This model year offers a compelling blend of Mercedes-Benz engineering, comfort, and technology, making it a strong contender in its class. Let’s explore the detailed features and specifications that define the 2017 GLA.
Standard Features of the 2017 GLA 250
The GLA250 sets a high standard right from the base model, offering a comprehensive suite of features focused on convenience, comfort, and style.
Exterior and Practicality
The exterior of the GLA250 is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, providing a balanced stance and ride quality. Privacy glass enhances passenger comfort and security, while fog lights improve visibility in adverse conditions. Automatic wipers add convenience by reacting to changing weather, and a power liftgate simplifies cargo access. Cruise control is standard for relaxed highway driving.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Inside, dual-zone automatic climate control ensures personalized comfort for both driver and passenger. The driver benefits from a 14-way power seat with four-way power lumbar support, while the passenger seat offers 10-way manual adjustability and a fold-flat feature for enhanced cargo versatility. Driver memory settings store preferred seating and mirror positions. A driver information display provides essential vehicle data at a glance, and selectable driving modes allow customization of the driving experience. MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery provides a refined feel, complemented by ambient interior lighting. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel further tailors the driving position, and 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks with a cargo pass-through expand cargo options.
Electronics and Connectivity
The GLA250 is equipped with a 7-inch central display controlled via a console-mounted knob, serving as the hub for infotainment. Bluetooth connectivity enables hands-free calling and audio streaming, and a six-speaker audio system includes a CD player, HD radio, an SD card reader, and two USB ports for media versatility. Mercedes’ Mbrace telematics system offers subscription-based services including a Wi-Fi hot spot and concierge services.
4Matic All-Wheel Drive Features
For those opting for all-wheel drive, the GLA250 4Matic adds hill descent control for enhanced off-road capability and an off-road status monitor integrated into the 7-inch display. This monitor provides real-time information on steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, adding to the vehicle’s sport-activity credentials.
Available Packages for the 2017 GLA 250
Mercedes-Benz offered a range of packages to further customize the GLA250, enhancing comfort, technology, and style.
Premium Package
The Premium package elevates the GLA250 experience with a rearview camera for easier parking, blind-spot monitoring for increased safety, keyless entry and ignition for convenience, heated front seats for cold weather comfort, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with satellite radio for superior entertainment.
Multimedia Package
The Multimedia package upgrades the infotainment system with a larger 8-inch screen, a navigation system for route guidance, voice controls for hands-free operation, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Sport and Night Packages
For a more dynamic appearance, the Sport package includes 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, and more aggressive exterior styling. The Night package, exclusively available with the Sport package, adds black wheels and gloss-black exterior accents for a distinctive and sporty aesthetic.
Interior, Driver Assistance, and Convenience Packages
The Interior package enhances cabin luxury with leather seating, front sport seats, upgraded ambient interior lighting, and MB-Tex dash trim. The Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning for enhanced safety on longer drives. Lastly, the Convenience package includes auto-dimming mirrors and a garage door opener for added everyday ease.
Standalone Options
Beyond packages, standalone options allowed for fine-tuning the GLA250 with features like xenon headlights and LED taillights for improved visibility, a panoramic sunroof for an open-air feel, parking sensors combined with an automated parking system for parking assistance, and a 14-way power passenger seat with memory for enhanced passenger comfort.
2017 AMG GLA 45: High-Performance Specifications
The AMG GLA 45 represents the high-performance variant of the GLA, standard with all-wheel drive and significantly enhanced performance components.
Performance and Handling Upgrades
Building upon the GLA250’s features, the AMG GLA 45 boasts a more powerful engine, a sport exhaust system for an aggressive sound, unique 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and steering for sharper handling, and upgraded brakes for enhanced stopping power.
Standard AMG Features
Standard features on the AMG GLA 45 include xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, a power passenger seat, MB-Tex/simulated-suede upholstery for a sporty feel, and unique styling cues such as a more aggressive front fascia, flared wheel arches, and quad tailpipes.
AMG Specific Options and Packages
Options for the AMG GLA 45 largely mirror those of the GLA250 but also include 20-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats for enhanced support, an upgraded steering wheel, a large rear spoiler for added downforce, and a performance exhaust system. Notably, the Sport or Night packages are not available on the AMG GLA 45. The unique Dynamic Plus package for the GLA 45 adds adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip front differential, a Race driving mode, and a higher top speed, further enhancing its track capabilities. Carbon-fiber exterior trim, an Aerodynamics package, and the AMG Dinamica package offer further performance and aesthetic customization.
Engine and Performance Details
GLA 250 Engine and Performance
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission featuring steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for manual gear control. In Edmunds track testing, the GLA250 4Matic accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, outperforming Mercedes’ estimated time of 7.1 seconds.
AMG GLA 45 Engine and Performance
The AMG GLA 45 utilizes the same 2.0-liter engine but is heavily upgraded to deliver an impressive 375 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A quicker-shifting version of the seven-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels. The AMG GLA 45 also features a three-mode stability control system and available launch control. Mercedes-Benz states a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.3 seconds for the AMG GLA 45.
Fuel Economy of the 2017 GLA
Both the GLA250 and AMG GLA 45 models incorporate an automatic stop-start function to improve fuel efficiency. The front-wheel-drive GLA250 achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway), while the GLA250 4Matic earns 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). Despite its high performance, the AMG GLA 45 achieves a respectable 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA provides a compelling entry point into the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, offering a blend of luxury, versatility, and performance. Whether opting for the well-equipped GLA250 or the high-performance AMG GLA 45, buyers are presented with a range of features and customization options to suit diverse preferences and needs in the compact SUV segment.
