MERCEDES-BENZ GLA

Do the mid-life updates to the GLA help make it the complete package?

- SANEET DSILVA

MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 220D 4MATIC Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel Power: 190PS @ 3,800rpm Torque: 400Nm @ 1,600 - 2,600rpWeight: 1,725kg Gearbox: 8-speed DCT Price: ₹ 50.50 lakh onwards ex-showroom

Here’s an interesting fact. The most compact Mercedes-Benz SV completes a decade of sales in India. The GLA was also one of two Mercedes-Benz SUVs to be driven across the world, starting from its home base in Stuttgart, Germany and ending the journey in India. So it is safe to say that the compact SUV holds strategic importance in Mercedes-Benz India’s portfolio.

The GLA has received a mid-life refresh with a focus on cosmetic and tech updates. Let’s dive in. The GLA is offered in two variants in India - theProgressive Line and the AMG Line. The AMG Line gets a body-coloured front apron, adding a sporty look. The pin chrome AMG Line grille further adds to the visual drama and complements the refreshed headlamps that now feature DRL eyebrows.

The side profile remains unchanged. The higher roofline gives it a better road presence than the first-gen GLA, something that appeals to Indian buyers. Our review unit gets 19-inch alloys with AMG centre caps and chunky rubber, nestled in squared-off wheel arches that add more muscle.