2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The 2022 GLA 250 volume trim uses the 2.0L turbo-four (M260) without mild-hybrid assist. It makes 221 hp. MY2022 is the second US year of the H247 generation and a carry-over from 2021; the AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45 top the range.

The GLA 250's 2.0T makes 258 lb-ft across a broad low-to-mid-rpm plateau.

Mercedes estimates 6.6 s to 60 mph for the GLA 250 4MATIC and 6.8 s for FWD, figures KBB repeats for 2022. That is adequate for the class but not quick.

The non-hybrid 2.0T is smooth and quiet when cruising. Reviewers note turbo lag from a stop, a coarse note when it is worked hard, and an abrupt engine stop-start. The 48V ISG that smoothed some of this arrived only with the 2024 facelift.

The 8-speed dual-clutch shifts quickly at speed but is hesitant and occasionally jerky at parking-lot speeds and from a stop, a common DCT complaint in reviews of this generation.

Mercedes-Benz USA publishes no towing rating for the 2022 GLA and offers no factory US hitch. Overseas markets rate the same car for light braked towing, so it is treated here as a light-duty tower at best.

FWD is standard on the GLA 250, 4MATIC AWD is optional, and 4MATIC is standard on both AMG models. The AMG GLA 45 adds torque-vectoring AMG Performance 4MATIC+, and 4MATIC models get an Off-Road drive program.

This is a pavement-oriented subcompact crossover with modest ground clearance. 4MATIC adds an Off-Road mode and downhill speed regulation, but there are no skid plates, lockers or off-road trim, so it suits gravel and snow only.

The 2022 US lineup offers three tunes of the 2.0L turbo-four (GLA 250, AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45), which gives a wide performance spread. There is no hybrid, PHEV or EV under the GLA name (the EQA was not sold in the US).

The 2022 GLA 250 4MATIC volume trim is EPA-rated at 26 MPG combined, and the FWD GLA 250 at 28 MPG. Both use the 2.0L turbo with the 8-speed DCT and no mild hybrid.

This is the EPA city rating for the 4MATIC volume trim.

This is the EPA highway rating for the 4MATIC volume trim, competitive for a turbo AWD luxury crossover.

Range is computed from the EPA combined rating and the 13.5-gallon tank. The small tank holds range down.

This is EPA's annual fuel cost estimate for the GLA 250 4MATIC on premium fuel at 15,000 mi/yr. The FWD car costs $200 less.

EPA lists premium gasoline for every 2022 GLA 250, and Mercedes specifies premium for the 2.0T. That is a running-cost penalty against regular-fuel rivals.

NHTSA never crash-tested the second-generation (H247) GLA; both 2022 entries read 'Not Rated' for overall, frontal, side and rollover.

IIHS has not crash-tested the H247 GLA, so the 2022 model has no Top Safety Pick and no US crashworthiness data. It sits at the top of the 'untested' band because the same structure earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with no known structural concerns.

The 2022 GLA 250 has Active Brake Assist (AEB), Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST and a rearview camera as standard. Adaptive cruise, lane keeping/centering and active lane-change functions sit in the $1,700 optional Driver Assistance Package, and NHTSA does not list lane departure warning as standard for 2022, so standard kit is thinner than BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

No IIHS front crash prevention evaluation exists for this GLA. Active Brake Assist covers vehicles and pedestrians and performed well in Euro NCAP AEB testing, but with no US day/night pedestrian result it cannot reach the top band.

Alert-only Blind Spot Assist (with exit warning) is standard. Active Blind Spot Assist with braking intervention and cross-traffic braking require optional packages.

Without the optional package the 2022 GLA has no standard lane departure warning per NHTSA. When optioned, Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist provide smooth centering, so the volume car's lane assistance depends on a package.

When optioned, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is a refined full-speed stop-and-go system integrated with Active Steering Assist and route-based speed adaptation. It stays out of the top band because it is not standard on the volume trim.

The 2022 GLA has no hands-free driving option. The Driver Assistance Package is a hands-on Level 2 system, and Mercedes' Drive Pilot was never offered on the compact cars.

LED headlights are standard on the pre-facelift 2022 GLA and Multibeam LED with Adaptive Highbeam Assist is available, but IIHS has never rated this GLA's headlights, so measured performance is unverified.

A raised seating position and upright windshield give a decent forward view, but thick rear pillars and a small rear window pinch over-the-shoulder visibility. A rearview camera is standard and a 360-degree camera is optional.

There are two outboard LATCH positions with reasonably accessible anchors and SUV-height door openings. The subcompact rear seat makes rear-facing seats tight and three-across impractical, and no IIHS LATCH rating exists for this model.

Two-row, five-seat subcompact crossover; no third-row option on the H247 GLA.

About 39 in of front headroom is mid-pack for a small luxury crossover.

41 in front legroom is adequate but not generous.

Rear headroom is good for the class thanks to the taller H247 roofline.

The 2021 redesign's 107.4 in wheelbase gives a roomy rear seat by subcompact-luxury standards.

No third row is offered on the GLA (the related GLB is the Mercedes small SUV with a third row).

One of the smallest cargo holds in the class behind the rear seats.

About 50 cu ft with the seats down trails most subcompact luxury rivals.

The 40/20/40 split rear seat (with optional fore-aft slide) adds flexibility, but console and door bins are only average and there is no onboard power outlet beyond 12V.

Standard 8-way power front seats are supportive; optional multi-contour seats with heating/ventilation are praised, while the rear bench is firm but acceptable.

Composed and mostly comfortable, though firm over sharp impacts on larger wheels; adaptive damping is optional.

Road and wind noise intrude at highway speed more than in quieter rivals such as the BMW X1.

Dual-zone climate is standard, but heated seats and heated wheel are options and ventilated seats require the multi-contour package.

The 2022 entry trim is the front-drive GLA 250 at $36,400 before destination, or $37,450 delivered. That puts it at the low end of the subcompact-luxury class, below the BMW X1.

The GLA 250 4MATIC is the volume configuration at $38,400 plus $1,050 destination. Typical dealer stock adds the Premium package and other options, which puts a common build around $42,000–$44,000.

The 2022 GLA shares its powertrain and A/B service schedule with the 2021–2023 pre-facelift cars. Dealer-only service and premium parts put it above the Lexus UX and slightly above the X1 and Q3. No 2022-specific projection was found, so the mechanically similar 4MATIC projection is used.

KBB shows the 2022 GLA 250 4MATIC down 41% after three years, which tracks toward roughly half its value retained at five years. That is about the luxury-subcompact average.

This is the standard Mercedes-Benz new-vehicle limited warranty. It matches BMW, Audi and Volvo but trails Genesis and Lincoln.

Mercedes-Benz has no separate powertrain warranty. The engine and transmission are covered only by the 4-year / 50,000-mile basic warranty, below the band's 5-year floor.

Roadside assistance for the warranty period and a Mercedes me connect trial are included. Scheduled maintenance is paid, either per service or through Prepaid Maintenance, which is weaker than BMW Ultimate Care (3 yr/36k) and Volvo's included maintenance.

$43,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (50% retained, or about $21,500) leaves about $21,500 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $29,500 in total.

Neither Consumer Reports nor J.D. Power publishes a strong model-specific reliability score for the 2022 GLA. Mercedes' MFA2 compact models generally predict below average. 2022 is only the second US model year of the H247, carried over from 2021, so some early-production issues may persist. The few third-party signals are mixed, which puts it low in the average band.

Mercedes-Benz sits in the lower third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings year after year. In J.D. Power's U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study it trails the premium leaders: Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac.

Two NHTSA campaigns cover the 2022 GLA. One is a model-year-specific headlight-aim recall; the other is the fleet-wide door-lock micro-switch recall, where a fault can stop Auto-Park or the parking brake engaging and risks a rollaway. That is one more than the 2023 model year, and neither involves the powertrain, so it is typical activity rather than anything systemic.

The volume GLA 250 4MATIC uses the M260 2.0L turbo four and the 8G-DCT dual-clutch, an MFA2 combination in service since 2019 with no widespread failures. It predates the facelift's 48V mild hybrid. The DCT draws complaints about low-speed behavior, which keeps it in the mid band.

The cabin has turbine vents and the MBUX layout, and it reads clearly above mainstream compacts. The dual 10.25-inch screens still cost extra, and reviewers note hard plastics low in the cabin. It is competitive rather than class-leading.

Reviewers report tight builds on Rastatt-built H247 test cars. Owners report scattered squeaks and electronics or MBUX glitches in the early model years, which keeps it in the upper-mid band.

Mercedes-Benz has a dense US network of roughly 380+ dealers, with strong metro coverage and luxury amenities such as loaners. Its service satisfaction is respectable but trails Lexus.

Parts are readily available through dealers, and the MFA2 platform shares components with the A-Class, CLA and GLB. Mercedes OEM parts and labor rates are still among the highest in the segment.

The base MBUX touchscreen is a small 7 in; the widescreen 10.25-in pair is a package option on the GLA 250.

First-generation MBUX is quick with sharp graphics, but touchpad, steering-wheel touch controls and voice create a complex, layered interface.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but wired-only on the 2022 car; wireless projection arrived with the facelift.

'Hey Mercedes' natural-language voice control is standard and strong; native navigation (with optional AR view) costs extra.

Base audio is adequate; the optional Burmester surround system is a genuine upgrade.

A 7-in digital cluster is standard; the full 10.25-in configurable cluster is optional on the GLA 250.

First-generation MBUX supports map and some infotainment updates over the air, not feature-adding vehicle updates.

Mercedes me app covers lock/unlock, locate and remote start, with some services subscription-gated after the trial; no digital key in the US.

Four USB (C-type) ports are standard; wireless phone charging is an option, not standard.

Push-button start and app remote start are standard, but proximity KEYLESS-GO entry and hands-free liftgate are optional on the GLA 250.

Rear camera is standard; surround-view camera, parking sensors and Active Parking Assist come in the optional Parking Assistance Package.

A head-up display is available as an upper option rather than on the volume configuration.

38.0 in rear legroom and SUV-height doors help with car seats, but the 15.4 cu ft cargo hold struggles with a stroller plus groceries.

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-tested the 2022 GLA; AEB and blind-spot warning are standard, but adaptive cruise, lane keeping and cross-traffic alert cost extra.

Decent rear legroom and rear vents, but no rear climate zone, notable road noise and a small cargo hold limit family trips.

Compact footprint and light controls make it easy, but the 8-speed DCT hesitates at low speed and stop-start is not especially smooth.

26-28 MPG combined is fine for a luxury crossover, but premium fuel and Mercedes servicing keep per-mile costs about average.

At 173.6 in long with a 37.4 ft turning circle it is easy to place in town; thick rear pillars hurt visibility without the optional surround view.

No US tow rating and one of the smallest cargo bays in the class; not a work vehicle.

Luxury-oriented compact crossover with premium upholstery and no fleet or work-duty track record.

Cargo tie-downs and roof-rail accessories exist, but no onboard power, factory hitch or upfit ecosystem.

Supportive seats and low-30s highway MPG (~350 mi range) suit the open road, and optional DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist helps, but road noise tires on long stints.

4MATIC AWD with an Off-Road drive mode handles gravel and snow, but low clearance, no US tow rating and no outlets keep it pavement-focused.

40/20/40 rear seat passes long items and roof rails are available, but 15.4/50.5 cu ft makes bulky gear a squeeze.

Tidy, secure handling with good body control; competent rather than as sharp as a BMW X1.

Accurate and nicely weighted but light on feedback.

Adequate stopping power with a progressive pedal; no standout instrumented results for the GLA 250.

The 221-hp 2.0T is willing once moving, but the 8-speed DCT hesitates off the line and the non-hybrid stop-start is abrupt.

The four-cylinder sounds coarse when pushed but settles at a cruise.

A tight turning circle for an SUV, aiding urban maneuverability.

Higher seating than the A-Class and good adjustment, but MBUX touch controls and thick rear pillars detract.

Pleasant and nimble but not engaging in GLA 250 form; the AMG versions carry the fun.

The 2022 GLA comes standard with dual 7-in MBUX screens, wired smartphone mirroring, power front seats, ambient lighting, AEB and blind-spot assist. The 10.25-in screens, heated seats, adaptive cruise and 360 camera cost extra through packages, so the base car is thinner than the BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

At $37,450–$39,450 delivered, the 2022 GLA 250 undercuts the X1, but it needs options to match the X1's standard kit, and its rear seat and cargo hold trail rivals. That makes it fair value rather than a bargain. The AMG GLA 35 (~$49K delivered) offers strong performance per dollar.

Four US trims span roughly $37.5K–$56.5K delivered: GLA 250 FWD, GLA 250 4MATIC, AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45. That offers a FWD/AWD choice and two performance tiers, which is broad for the class, though there is no hybrid.

The GLA is a steady entry-luxury seller and one of Mercedes' core SUV volume models, though 2022 supply was constrained by the chip shortage. The BMW X1 and Audi Q3 remain the class volume benchmarks, so the GLA sits mid-pack.

The three-pointed star is one of the strongest luxury badges in the US and the GLA's main draw over roomier rivals.

MY2022 sold during the peak of the chip-shortage inventory squeeze, when luxury models commonly went at or near MSRP. Discounts were thin, though Mercedes-Benz Financial lease programs remained available.

2022 is the second model year of the second generation, which launched for US MY2021. The platform is current, but the facelift arrived for MY2024 with new lighting, the latest MBUX and a 48V mild hybrid.

Reviewers praise the cabin ambience, MBUX and refinement but mark the GLA down for its tight rear seat, small cargo hold, firm ride and low-speed DCT hesitation. It usually trails the X1, Q3 and XC40 in rankings and has won no major awards.