The Allure and Practicality of the Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG: A Review

As I spent some time with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG, I couldn't help but feel that it was missing something essential to the A45 AMG experience. The higher driving position, which offers 40mm of extra height, is a notable feature, but when compared to its ordinary counterpart, it feels like just another incremental upgrade rather than a groundbreaking innovation.

The GLA 45 AMG's main selling point is its performance, with a 355bhp turbocharged engine that still packs a punch. However, the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which is arguably one of the A45's weaker points, fails to impress in this vehicle as well. The transmission doesn't have the same snappy response as other dual-clutch gearboxes on the market, and it struggles with understeer when pushed hard.

Despite its shortcomings, the GLA 45 AMG still manages to deliver a thrilling driving experience. The sports exhaust system adds a delightful touch to the car's performance, making it sound like a proper hot hatch should. However, this is where I start to wonder who would actually buy such a vehicle and why they wouldn't opt for the standard A45 AMG.

One thing that sets the GLA 45 apart from its ordinary counterpart is its off-road capability. The higher driving position, combined with its larger wheels and more ground clearance, makes it surprisingly capable on uneven terrain. I was able to navigate a muddy field without any issues, and I genuinely don't think an A45 would fare much better in this environment.

However, the GLA 45's off-road prowess is not solely due to its design. The car also features a feature that is not present on the standard A45 AMG: a sunroof. While this might seem like a minor upgrade, it does add a sense of luxury and practicality to an otherwise sporty vehicle.

So, why would someone choose the GLA 45 AMG over its ordinary counterpart? The answer remains elusive for me, as I still can't fathom why anyone would prefer the GLA 45's slightly larger boot, higher driving position, and sunroof to the standard A45 AMG. Despite its shortcomings, the GLA 45 AMG is still a formidable performer, but it feels like a compromise rather than an upgrade.

In conclusion, my experience with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG left me feeling underwhelmed. While it has some unique features and capabilities, such as its off-road prowess and sports exhaust system, I couldn't shake the feeling that it's missing something essential to make it truly special. If you're in the market for a hot hatch or a sporty SUV, there are better options available that don't compromise on performance or practicality.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ennow I know some people quite like a higher driving position than normal but I've spent a bit of time with the gla45 AMG now and I'm kind of struggling to get it to be honest because all this car seems to offer instead of the really just excellent ordinary A45 AMG which I ran for quite a few months and just love to Pieces cuz it's just the maddest hot hatch there is all this thing offers over and above the regular A45 mg is 40 mm of extra driving position height and a slightly bigger Boot and when I say slightly I really do mean about that much and that's it and yet it doesn't drive anywhere near as crisply as the AIL drive it doesn't handle as well cuz it weighs more and the center of gravity is higher it doesn't go as well cuz it's heavier and yet it's 442 grand and I'm afraid through these eyes it doesn't look a patch on the regular hatchback either having said all of that though if you drive this thing in isolation if you completely ignore the fact that the A45 AMG exists in the first place you would get into this and think a little part of the universe had begun to end cuz it you know it's still got the 355 BHP 2 L turbo engine under that rather high and very ugly Bonnet which means when you put your foot down it's still properly fast it has the same seven-speed dual clutch gearbox in it which to be honest is one of the a45's weaker points and it it's no better in this car it's okay it works pretty well but it doesn't have the snap that a proper dual clutch gearbox should have and it handles you know I mean have a look at this I'm driving this thing quite hard and it just leans it hangs on yes there is a bit of under steer yes you need to to give the brakes a decent prod to get it to slow down but I mean okay this is 115 mph bang corner here and it just feels stuck there's a little bit of push that's just engineered in to make it feel safe basically but this thing really handles and it really go and it sounds great too this test car has got the sports exhaust on it so you get the proper Parts when you upshift which I think is great but quite how relevant that is in in a sort of mini SUV I really don't know it is a proper hotch poch of a car the GLA 45 AMG and I just can't really get my head around who would actually buy one and why they buy one instead of an A45 AMG no me baffled so let's see if I can make any more sense of it by going off-road and I don't know is that is that why you'd buy one of these things just so you could sort of go through a muddy field in it let's uh let's go and try let's just see if it can do offroading at all that's not bad that's not bad at all actually I mean this is very far from the most challenging off-road course in the universe however I have to say that this is probably one another thing that the GLA another Talent another capability that the GL has that the A45 doesn't I don't reckon you'd get an A45 through there wow it's just got that I mean it's got 20in wheels normal road tires but you know 20in wheels and that that little bit more ground clearance and the driving position I guess and you you you do just feel as if you can go through quite rough terrain like this and it's actually really not that much of a problem at all and I don't I genuinely don't think you'd get an A45 around this course without either getting a terrible puncture a huge CR hole in the radiator or just stuck it's actually not bad Offroad this thing no I mean you're not going to suddenly turn up with some off-roading School wearing your camouflage trousers smoking roles and saying right let's go out the side of Everest or anything like that but um it it will do off-roading and I'm quite impressed with that I've just noticed something else it's got instead of an A40 in place of an A45 as well and that's this sunroof but okay what we're talking about is a bit of off-road capability a sunroof a slightly higher driving position and a millimetric bigger Boot and that's it otherwise give me an A45 mg any day of any week\n"