The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 stands as a compelling entry in the luxury compact SUV segment, offering a blend of Mercedes-Benz sophistication, versatile functionality, and engaging performance. This model year boasts a comprehensive suite of standard features and a range of optional packages, allowing drivers to tailor the GLA 250 to their specific needs and preferences. Let’s delve into the details of what makes the 2017 GLA 250 a noteworthy contender in its class.
Standard Features of the 2017 GLA 250
The GLA 250 comes generously equipped right from the base model, ensuring a premium driving experience. Exterior highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels that provide a stylish stance and confident handling. Privacy glass adds a touch of exclusivity and enhances passenger comfort, while fog lights improve visibility in adverse weather conditions. Automatic wipers offer convenience by automatically adjusting to changing precipitation levels, and a power liftgate simplifies cargo access. Cruise control is standard for relaxed highway driving, and dual-zone automatic climate control ensures personalized comfort for both driver and passenger.
Inside the cabin, the driver benefits from a 14-way power driver seat with four-way power lumbar support, promoting optimal driving posture and comfort on long journeys. Driver memory settings allow for personalized seat and mirror adjustments. The passenger seat is a 10-way manual adjustable seat with a convenient fold-flat feature, enhancing cargo versatility. A driver information display provides essential vehicle data at a glance, and selectable driving modes allow drivers to adjust vehicle settings to suit different driving conditions or preferences. MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery offers a durable and refined seating surface, complemented by ambient interior lighting that creates a welcoming atmosphere. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel ensures a comfortable driving position for a variety of drivers. The 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, complete with a cargo pass-through, further enhance the GLA 250’s practicality, accommodating both passengers and longer items with ease.
In terms of electronics, the 2017 GLA 250 features a 7-inch central display controlled by a console-mounted knob, providing access to various vehicle functions. Bluetooth connectivity enables hands-free calling and audio streaming. A six-speaker audio system, complete with a CD player, HD radio, an SD card reader, and two USB ports, provides ample entertainment options. Select Mercedes-Benz Mbrace telematics system features, including a Wi-Fi hot spot and concierge services, are available via subscription, adding further convenience and connectivity.
For those opting for the all-wheel-drive GLA 250 4Matic, additional features enhance its sport-activity vehicle credentials. Hill descent control aids in maintaining controlled speeds on steep declines, while an off-road status monitor, integrated into the 7-inch display, provides real-time information on steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, useful for light off-road adventures.
Optional Packages for Enhanced Features
To further personalize the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, several optional packages are available:
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Premium Package: This popular package elevates convenience and safety with a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats for added comfort in colder climates, and an upgraded 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with satellite radio for a superior auditory experience.
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Multimedia Package: For those seeking advanced technology, the Multimedia package includes a larger 8-inch screen, a navigation system for seamless route guidance, voice controls for hands-free operation, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity with personal devices.
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Sport Package: The Sport package enhances the GLA 250’s visual appeal and driving dynamics with 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes for improved stopping power, and more aggressively styled exterior elements, giving the vehicle a sportier aesthetic.
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Night Package: Available exclusively with the Sport package, the Night package adds black wheels and gloss-black exterior accents for a distinctive and sophisticated darker look.
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Interior Package: The Interior package focuses on cabin luxury, featuring leather seating surfaces, front sport seats for enhanced lateral support, upgraded ambient interior lighting for a more refined ambiance, and MB-Tex dash trim, elevating the overall interior feel.
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Driver Assistance Package: For enhanced driver assistance and safety, this package includes adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts speed to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, and lane departure warning, alerting the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane unintentionally.
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Convenience Package: This package adds practical features such as auto-dimming mirrors, reducing glare from headlights at night, and a garage door opener for added ease of access.
Standalone options are also available, allowing buyers to select individual features such as xenon headlights and LED taillights for improved visibility and modern styling, a panoramic sunroof for an open and airy cabin feel, parking sensors combined with an automated parking system for simplified parking maneuvers, and a 14-way power passenger seat with memory for enhanced passenger comfort and customization.
Performance and Engine Specifications
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is powered by a responsive turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth-shifting seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission, complete with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for those who desire a more engaging driving experience. In Edmunds track testing, the GLA 250 4Matic impressively outperformed Mercedes’ estimated 0-60 mph time, achieving it in just 6.8 seconds, demonstrating brisk acceleration for its class.
Fuel Economy
Efficiency is also a strong point for the 2017 GLA 250. The front-wheel-drive model achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway), while the all-wheel-drive GLA 250 4Matic earns 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). These figures are quite competitive within the luxury compact SUV segment, making the GLA 250 an economical choice for daily driving and longer trips.
The High-Performance AMG GLA 45
For drivers seeking even more exhilarating performance, the AMG GLA 45 variant is available. This high-performance model comes standard with all-wheel drive and builds upon the GLA 250’s standard features with a significantly more powerful engine, producing an impressive 375 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque from the same 2.0-liter engine. It also includes a sport exhaust system for a more aggressive sound, unique 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and steering for sharper handling, and upgraded brakes for enhanced stopping power. Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, a power passenger seat, MB-Tex/simulated-suede upholstery, and distinctive AMG styling cues, including a more aggressive front fascia, flared wheel arches, and quad tailpipes, are also standard on the AMG GLA 45.
Options for the AMG GLA 45 largely mirror those of the GLA 250, but also include performance-oriented upgrades such as 20-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats for ultimate support during spirited driving, an upgraded steering wheel, a large rear spoiler for enhanced aerodynamics, and a performance exhaust system for an even more pronounced engine note. Notably, the AMG GLA 45 offers a unique Dynamic Plus package, which adds adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip front differential, a Race driving mode for track-focused performance, and a higher top speed. Carbon-fiber exterior trim, an Aerodynamics package, and the AMG Dinamica package further enhance both performance and aesthetic appeal. Mercedes-Benz states the AMG GLA 45 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.3 seconds, placing it firmly in sports car territory. Despite its high performance, the AMG GLA 45 still manages a respectable fuel economy of 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).
Both the GLA 250 and AMG GLA 45 models are equipped with an automatic stop-start function, which can be engaged to turn off the engine when the car comes to a complete stop, further contributing to fuel savings in city driving.
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 presents a well-rounded package for those seeking a luxury compact SUV. With its comprehensive list of standard features, available customization through various packages and standalone options, efficient yet peppy engine, and the option for high-performance AMG variant, the GLA 250 offers a compelling choice in its competitive segment. Whether prioritizing luxury, practicality, performance, or a combination of these attributes, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 warrants serious consideration for discerning buyers.
