- the new 2021 mercedes-benz gla-class crossover caps off the mercedes entry-level small-car lineup, which includes the a-class, cla-class, and glb-class.
- mercedes's mbux infotainment system is standard on the new gla-class and is displayed on either a 7.0- or 10.5-inch screen.
- pricing has yet to be announced, but the fwd and awd gla250 will arrive in summer 2020, and the mercedes-amg gla35 will arrive later in 2020.
acknowledge the 2021 mercedes-benz gla-class as the luxury brand's freshened u.s. small-car lineup's coup de grâce. they'll arrive in the second half of 2020 as a front-wheel-drive mercedes-benz gla250, gla250 4matic, and a sportier mercedes-amg gla35.
the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive gla250 models are the introduction to mercedes's luxury suv segment. the new gla-class is 3.9 inches taller than the current model with a minuscule amount of added cabin space, and its overall shape looks relatively unchanged—updated led lights and a single-louver grille are the key differences—while the interior gets the bulk of the updates.
the updated interior is a much needed improvement when we compare it to the current gla's cheap, dated, almost non-mercedes-quality cabin. mercedes's new mbux infotainment system now comes standard on the 2021 gla-class, whereas on earlier models many desirable infotainment features were optional. the system is displayed on a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 7.0-inch touchscreen in the gla250 models, while the amg gla35's screens are 10.5 inches; the larger screen is optional for the gla250. both come standard with apple carplay and android auto capability.
every gla-class is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, though in the amg gla35, the turbo four's output is upped to 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the standard gla's 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. the more powerful amg variant's speedshift dual-clutch transmission allows it to launch to 60 mph in a mercedes-claimed five seconds flat.
the standard gla250 features front-wheel drive and. 4matic all-wheel-drive is optional and awd models come with an off-road engineering package as standard. this includes an off-road driving mode with hill-start assist. mercedes's driver assistance systems, including active distance, steering, brake, blind spot, and lane-keeping assist, come standard on all gla-class models.
pricing has yet to be announced, but expect to see gla250 models in showrooms by summer 2020, and the mercedes-amg gla35 by the end of 2020.