Here comes the star: Mercedes-Benz GLA Class expected to heat up premium compact crossover wars

The Mercedes-Benz GLA 220.
CDN photo/Lito Tecson

There are many things that motoring enthusiasts are excited about this year. Among them is the entry of the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class in the competitive compact crossover segment.
Late last year, Cebu Daily News was lucky enough to be able to test the nifty premium crossover via Global Star Motors, the official dealer of the German carmaker in Cebu.
Making the date with the GLA Class more exciting was the fact that the crossover has yet to be officially introduced in the local market as of this writing. So we expected to turn heads while we drove it around Cebu for days.
And boy did we turn heads.

The GLA Class’ sleek looks will surely make it a head turner on Cebu’s roads.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

The GLA 220 we had was not only attractive because of the huge three-pointed star logo at the front grille but also for its unique exterior styling.
The GLA Class is the fifth SUV variant to the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio and is part of the line-up of Merc’s new generation compact cars (NGCC) that is expected to cater a much younger and mobile market, which explains why it has a sporty compact look.
The GLA Class shares a lot in common with the A-Class, but it has a pinch of off-road cues, which is good considering that road conditions nowadays seem more like off-road than well-paved.
The suspension is 50 millimeters higher than the A-Class, while well-penned front and rear layouts, a big grille and body cladding around the vehicle has it looking elegantly muscular and imposing.
PERFORMANCE
The higher stance gives the driver a better driving position and a little breathing room when maneuvering the city’s pothole-infested roads.

The interior of this Merc is as elegant as its exterior.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

On smoother surfaces though, the GLA Class drives superbly with confidence.
The GLA 220 CDI is powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 170 horsepower and 350 newton-metre of torque. Add to that mix a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission and we’ve got a very responsive powerplant that will surely satisfy the sporty ones.
Even at high speeds, the GLA maintains composure, thanks to its sporty suspension system that promises agile handling.
Another highlight of the GLA is the new 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with fully variable torque distribution. This allows the GLA to take on light “off-road” functions.
Also an interesting thing we actually tested was its Park Assist feature, which allows the GLA to park on its own (parallel and perpendicular) with little driver intervention.
Inside, the GLA boasts of a mix of aluminum and soft-touch plastics. Five round air vents highlight the dashboard capped off by a large display in the middle.
Front bucket seats are very sporty and comfortable while the rear seats are almost the same. The rear can split-fold for cargo loading.

The GLA 220 is powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 170 HP and 350 NM of torque.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

The new GLA-Class premiered at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. When it is officially launched here, it will compete with the likes of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.
The Global Star Motors dealership is expected to open early this year at the Cebu Veterans Drive in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City.