2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The 2023 GLA 250 volume trim uses the 2.0L turbo-four (M260) without the mild-hybrid assist that arrived with the 2024 facelift. It makes 221 hp. MY2023 is the last pre-facelift US year, and the US range still included the AMG GLA 45 at 382 hp.

The GLA 250's 2.0T makes 258 lb-ft across a broad 2,000–4,000 rpm plateau.

KBB lists 6.6 s to 60 mph for the 2023 GLA 250 4MATIC, consistent with Mercedes' 6.8 s 0–100 km/h claim. 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 fixed some of this only arrived for 2024.

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 2023 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+. 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 2023 US lineup offers three tunes of the 2.0L turbo-four (GLA 250, AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45), which gives a wide spread of performance. There is no hybrid, PHEV or EV under the GLA name (the EQA was not sold in the US).

The 2023 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 2023 GLA 250, and Mercedes specifies premium for the 2.0T. That is a running-cost penalty against regular-fuel rivals.

NHTSA has never crash-tested the second-generation (H247) GLA; the 2023 entry reads 'Not Rated' for overall, frontal, side and rollover.

IIHS has not crash-tested the H247 GLA, so the 2023 model has no Top Safety Pick and no US crashworthiness data; placed at the top of the 'untested' band because the same structure earned a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with no known structural concerns.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLA 250 has Active Brake Assist (AEB), Blind Spot Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, lane departure warning and a rearview camera as standard, but adaptive cruise, steering-based lane keeping/centering and rear cross-traffic functions sit in the optional Driver Assistance Package — thinner standard kit 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 the optional package.

Lane departure warning is standard, while Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist in the optional Driver Assistance Package provide smooth centering; the volume car without the package has warning only.

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; held out of the top band because it is not standard on the volume trim.

No hands-free driving option on the 2023 GLA — 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 2023 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; rearview camera standard, 360-degree camera optional.

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

Every US 2023 GLA (GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC, AMG GLA 35/45) is a two-row five-seater.

39.0 in of front headroom is adequate for six-footers but trails more upright rivals such as the GLB and X1.

41.0 in of front legroom is typical for a subcompact crossover; tall drivers fit but the footwell is not generous.

38.1 in of second-row headroom is mid-pack for the class despite the sloping rear roofline.

The H247 GLA's 107.4 in wheelbase yields a strong 38.0 in of rear legroom, more than the Audi Q3.

There is no third row on any GLA; Mercedes' seven-seat option is the GLB. A missing third row scores in the low band.

At 15.4 cu ft behind the rear seats, cargo is the GLA's biggest packaging weakness, about 10 cu ft short of the BMW X1.

With the 40/20/40 rear seat folded the hold reaches 50.5 cu ft, below the SUV band floor and behind the X1 and XC40.

Everyday storage is ordinary: modest door bins, a small console bin and a phone tray. The 40/20/40 rear seat with fore-aft adjustment helps, but there are no standout solutions or onboard outlets.

The front seats are supportive with power adjustment, though lumbar support, memory and premium upholstery cost extra on the GLA 250. The rear bench is roomy for the class but has a short cushion.

The ride is smooth and well controlled for the class, but the short wheelbase and optional 19–20 in wheels make it busy over broken pavement.

Road and wind noise is the most repeated criticism of the H247 GLA: louder than luxury buyers expect and behind the XC40 and UX.

Dual-zone automatic climate and a power liftgate are standard. Heated seats, heated steering wheel and panoramic roof are package or option items on the GLA 250, and ventilated seats are not offered.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLA 250 FWD listed at $37,500 before destination, roughly $3,000 below the refreshed 2024. That puts it at the low end of the subcompact-luxury class, alongside the Audi Q3 and below the BMW X1.

The AWD GLA 250 4MATIC is the volume configuration at $39,500 plus destination. Typical dealer stock carries the Premium package and other options, so a typical build lands around $43,000–$45,000.

Dealer-only A/B service intervals and premium parts make the GLA costlier to maintain than the Lexus UX and slightly costlier than the X1 and Q3. No 2023-specific KBB figure was found, so the mechanically similar 2024 4MATIC projection is used as a proxy.

Market data puts 5-year GLA depreciation near the luxury-subcompact average of about 46–50%. As the last pre-facelift year without the newer MBUX screens, the 2023 is likely to give up slightly more than the refreshed car.

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

Mercedes-Benz has no separate powertrain warranty: the engine and transmission are covered only by the 4 yr / 50k basic warranty, which falls below the band's 5-year floor.

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

$44,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (49% retained, or about $21,560) leaves about $22,440 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $30,440 in total.

Consumer Reports and J.D. Power publish no strong model-specific reliability score for the GLA, and Mercedes compact models generally predict below average. 2023 is the third US model year of the H247 and the last pre-facelift carry-over, so launch-year problems are largely worked out. That puts it at the lower end of 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.

Only one NHTSA campaign covers the 2023 GLA: 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 cleaner than 2021 (22V365000, 23V732000) or 2022 (23V662000, headlight aim), and none of it touches the powertrain.

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. 2023 predates the 48V mild hybrid that came with the facelift, so it carries none of that newer system's risk. The DCT draws complaints about low-speed behavior, which keeps it in the mid band.

The pre-facelift 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.

By its third US model year the Rastatt-built H247's assembly is mature, and reviewers report tight builds on test cars. Scattered owner reports of squeaks and electronics glitches keep it short of the top tier.

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 pre-facelift MY2023 US GLA 250 has a 7-in MBUX touchscreen as standard, with dual 10.25-in widescreen displays optional. The larger screens became standard with the March 2023 facelift, sold in the US as MY2024.

First-generation MBUX (NTG6) is fast and attractive with a useful touchpad/touchscreen mix, but its menus are deep and the standard 7-in screen feels small for a luxury car.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but wired on the pre-facelift 2023 US GLA; wireless projection arrived with the facelifted MY2024 model.

The "Hey Mercedes" natural-language assistant is standard and one of the better voice systems; native navigation is an option on the GLA 250 rather than standard.

The base audio is adequate; the optional Burmester surround system is a meaningful upgrade comparable to rivals' branded systems.

A 7-in digital cluster is standard, with the 10.25-in widescreen cluster optional; full-width digital gauges are not standard on the pre-facelift car.

Mercedes me connect supports OTA updates for MBUX infotainment and maps, but not whole-vehicle software updates.

The Mercedes me app offers remote start, lock/unlock, location and status, but remote services become a paid subscription after the trial and there is no phone-as-key.

USB-C ports are fitted front and rear; wireless charging is a package option and there is no household AC outlet.

Push-button start and app remote start are standard; KEYLESS-GO proximity entry and the hands-free liftgate are package items and there is no digital key.

A rearview camera is standard, with parking sensors, 360-degree Surround View and Active Parking Assist in optional packages.

A head-up display has been a US GLA option since 2021, but it is a standalone or package extra outside volume-trim stock.

Rear legroom (38.0 in) is generous for the class and the SUV-height doors help loading, but the 15.4 cu ft cargo hold struggles with a stroller plus groceries and three-across car seats are impractical.

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-tested the 2023 GLA. AEB and blind-spot warning are standard, but adaptive cruise, lane centering and cross-traffic braking are in an optional package.

Rear passengers get decent legroom, rear vents and USB-C, but there is no rear climate zone. Road noise and the small cargo hold limit luggage for four on a multi-day trip.

A compact footprint and light controls make it an easy commuter, but the 2023 car lacks the later 48V mild hybrid, so stop-start is rougher and the 8-speed DCT hesitates at parking-lot speeds.

About 28 MPG combined is reasonable for a gas luxury crossover, but premium fuel and Mercedes service pricing leave per-mile costs about average for the class.

At 173.6 in long with a 37.4 ft turning circle and a standard rear camera, it is easy to place in town. The thick rear pillars hurt visibility, and the sensors and 360 camera are optional.

There is no US tow rating and the cargo bay is one of the smallest in the class, so this is not a work vehicle.

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

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

Supportive front seats and low-30s highway MPG suit the open road, and the optional DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist helps. Road and wind noise, and the driver aids being optional, hold it back.

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

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

Nimble and secure with tidy body control for a crossover; the BMW X1 is sharper, and the sport suspension is reserved for AMG models.

Precise, nicely weighted steering with little feedback, typical of Mercedes' compact MFA2 platform.

Stopping power is adequate, but the pedal is reported as touchy at low speed; no current-generation instrumented braking test was found.

The 221 hp 2.0T pulls well once moving, but stop-start without the later mild hybrid is less refined, and the 8-speed DCT hesitates and lurches at parking-lot speeds with some turbo lag.

The engine is quiet in normal driving but sounds coarse when pushed, compounding the cabin's road noise.

A 37.4 ft turning circle is reasonable for a subcompact crossover, though not class-leading. The H247 body is unchanged through this generation.

A commanding-for-the-class seating position with good power adjustment; capacitive steering-wheel controls and thick rear pillars are the main gripes.

The GLA 250 is pleasant and composed but mostly forgettable; the fun is concentrated in the AMG GLA 35 and 45.

As the last pre-facelift US year, the 2023 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, 360 camera and panoramic-roof extras cost more through packages, so the base car is thinner than the BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

At $38,550–$40,550 delivered, the 2023 GLA undercuts its refreshed successor and the X1, but it needs options to match the X1's standard kit. Its rear seat and cargo hold trail rivals, so it is fair value rather than a bargain. The AMG GLA 35 (~$50.5K) offers strong performance per dollar.

Four US trims (GLA 250 FWD, GLA 250 4MATIC, AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45) span roughly $38.5K–$57K with a FWD/AWD choice and two performance tiers. That 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. The BMW X1 and Audi Q3 remain the class volume benchmarks, so the GLA sits in the middle of the pack.

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

Inventory was still tight early in 2023 after the chip shortage, which limited discounts. Lease support and Mercedes-Benz Financial offers returned as the pre-facelift model was cleared out ahead of the 2024 refresh.

2023 is the third and final pre-facelift year of the second generation, which launched for MY2021. A buyer took on the risk of a refresh arriving immediately after, 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.