2021 Mercedes Benz GLA35 AMG

Specs: 2.0 Liter Turbo 4 Cylinder

302 HP / 295 ft-lbs TQ

0-60: 5.0

Price as tested: $63,050 (! for a GLA!)

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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi

Pictures: Manufacturer

The Mercedes GLA class is a vehicle that one needs to approach differently. Whereas pictures and video show a classically styled compact crossover, in real life it’s diminutive status is more hatchback if anything…and that is NOT a bad thing. Approach this GLA35 as a hot hatch and then it all starts to make more sense.

From it’s oversized wheels, to it’s low roofline to it’s seating position. It all screams hot hatch to me and I LOVE hot hatchbacks. But if you’re reading this and you’re a normal human being…chances are that hatchbacks give you an allergic reaction. That is fine because here is a secret:

Think of it for a second. What differentiates a crossover from a hatchback? If you are about to say one is truck based and one is car based…then you’re wrong. They are both car based. The base recipe for both are the exact same:

—Take a sedan platform

—Add a Tall Body

—Add a hatch/tailgate

—Add AWD if you feel spicy

BOOM! You have a hatchback. With a crossover you just add one more additional step

—Add an inch or so of ground clearance

That’s it! So let’s add this to the GLA. Remove that ride height and what do you have? You have a hatchback and what is a fast hatchback called? A hot hatch!

Anyhoo…on to the GLA35.

The GLA35 is a vehicle that confounded me at first. Here was a supposed crossover that wasn’t really a crossover and it has an AMG badge but it didn’t go like an AMG. So what is it? Well think of the GLA35 as a lifted Euro market A35 and it makes a bit more sense. So a turbocharged, AWD, hatchback with plenty of room and cargo…now I’m paying attention.

Let us go ahead and break it down: