2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35

The car market is being subdivided into ever-increasing niche subcategories, and the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is the perfect example. This compact crossover SUV is more of a lifted hot hatch than an actual SUV and is aimed at hot hatch fans who've made whoopsies with Tinder dates and need the extra space. With the only real competition coming from the equally weird BMW X2 M35i and the Mini JCW Countryman, the GLA 35 lives in a small bubble in which it thrives: with 302 horsepower on tap from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, a mildly rapid 0-60 mph time, and all the luxuries associated with an AMG car, this might just be the perfect compromise for young car guys and gals with a young family who enjoy the finer things in life.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 SUV isn't the most hardcore-looking sports SUV out there; to most, it will look mostly the same as any of the non-AMG offerings. Those that want a more aggressive look can pack on optional styling kits, but we like its understated look. The 2022 GLA 35 comes with exterior features such as aluminum roof rails, 19-inch AMG twin five-spoke alloy wheels, and AMG styling bits like the prominent Panamericana grille. At the back, you'll find a rear spoiler and dual exhaust outlets. Optional exterior features such as a panoramic roof and the AMG aerodynamics package add even more visual zest.

As a subcompact luxury SUV, the dimensions of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 border on hot hatch proportions. This subcompact luxury crossover SUV measures 174.6 inches in length and rolls on a 107.4-inch wheelbase. It measures 79.5 inches in width when including the side mirrors or 72.8 inches without the mirrors. The GLA 35 is 62.5 inches tall and has a front track of 63.7 inches and a rear track of 62.8 inches. The total weight of this family-friendly sports SUV is 3,653 pounds, making it almost 100 lbs lighter than its direct BMW X2 rival.

There are ten different exterior paint options on offer for 2022. The range starts with no-cost options like Polar White and Night White, but you'll have to pay an extra $750 for metallic colors such as Digital White, Cosmos Black, Iridium Silver, and the all-new Rose Gold. Other metallics for $750 are Denim Blue and Mountain Grey. For $1,750, you can get Manufaktur Patagonia Red metallic, or why not splurge and go for the $3,250 Mountain Grey Magno? Although it is an unusual choice, we must admit that the new Rose Gold is the most eye-catching color of the lot.

Those who opt to buy an AMG model over a vanilla Mercedes-Benz do it because they place a ton of importance on the driving experience, and not just the comfort, technology, or showmanship of owning a Mercedes-Benz. Despite the all-wheel-drive GLA 35's low ranking in the AMG pecking order, this compact SUV still delivers a hammer blow. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine provides impressive thrust, despite the GLA 35's weight of over 3,500 lbs. According to Mercedes-AMG, the 2022 GLA 35's 0-60 mph is a claimed 5.2 seconds and continues on to a limited top speed of 155 mph. Real-world tests have shown that both the GLA 35 and GLA 45 have underrated performance stats from the factory and feel seriously quick out on the streets but are perfectly happy to spend their days cruising the highways and byways of the great American metropolis. Neither the GLA 35 nor the GLA 45 will live at the drag strip or racetrack, and for that reason, we think the GLA 35 offers more than enough power for the daily grind, but if you're a red-blooded douche, the GLA 45 - which we review separately - will always be the answer.

The BMW X2 M35i is faster than the GLA 35, though, reaching 60 mph in under five seconds.

Mercedes-AMG is the master of extracting insane amounts of power from the well-known turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The motor under the hood of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is a 2.0-liter unit that makes use of a lightweight diecast-alloy block, variable valve timing, liquid-cooled turbo, and high-pressure direct injection. This setup produces an impressive 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic AWD system and an eight-speed AMG Speedshift eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Mercedes-AMG has crafted an engine and transmission combination that works beautifully well together. Unlike other turbocharged four-cylinders that offer a short, sharp shock of midrange torque, the GLA 35's twin-scroll turbocharger does a great job of balancing out low to mid-end torque delivery with strong top-end performance, and the stock AMG exhaust doesn't sound all that bad when you're going full tilt. We did find that turbo lag was an issue right at the bottom of the rev range, but once the turbo comes alive, there's a broad powerband to work with. The eight-speed DCT transmission is a massive improvement over the old car's clunky box and feels relaxed yet intuitive in full-auto mode, and snappy and alert in manual mode.

Life comes at you fast, and many young guys and girls who used to enjoy hot hatchbacks now find themselves having to trade in their street weapons for crossover SUVs to accommodate the spawn and all their paraphernalia. The GLA 35 is an obvious choice for young professionals who still want to enjoy driving but have a baby or two onboard. As with the rest of the AMG range, the GLA 35 clearly feels like a driving machine, and unlike so many compact SUVs that feel soft, bordering on mushy (perfect for driving sleeping kids around) the GLA 35 can feel stiff, bordering on harsh if you're not used to performance cars. This won't be an issue for the majority who know what they're buying into. The GLA 35 settles in nicely on the open road and offers a quiet, planted feel on the highway. Drive the GLA 35 with vigor, and you'll find great traction and a dab of understeer. The AWD system sends a perfect 50/50 torque split to the front and rear so that you won't slide your tail out too often, but this thing is still way more fun than your average people carrier in this class.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder combination has proven to offer great performance and decent fuel economy, and the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is no different. The entry-level GLA 250 will get an impressive 24/34/28 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle. Going for the 302-hp GLA 35 will drop that figure, but not by much. The GLA 35 will manage 22/30/25 mpg, but we suspect it can do better and much worse than those figures suggest, depending on your driving style. The GLA 35's 13.5-gallon fuel tank gives it a maximum range of 338 miles.

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 has been improved in every conceivable way over the awkward, previous-generation GLA. There's more space for occupants to sit (most notable for those in the rear), more cargo space, and a flatter cargo loading area. The interior design of Mercedes-AMG products tends to stand above that of other German competitors who prefer a clinically clean look. We appreciate Mercedes-AMG's quirky little design features, such as the turbine-style air vents and the red stitching on the seats that give the GLA 35 just enough of a sporty feeling to distinguish it from the run-of-the-mill GLA. Tech levels are good, but we wish Merc gave the GLA 35 a few more standard driver assistance features. It does, however, come standard with amenities like dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats.

The GLA will seat average-sized adults in reasonable comfort, and despite its sloping coupe-like roofline, it still offers decent room in the back. Unlike the GLB, it offers seating for only five. Those in the front get a respectable 41 inches of legroom and 39inches of headroom, enough for six-footers and above. Those figures shrink to 38 inches of legroom and 38 inches of headroom in the rear. That's still a decent amount in a car with a coupe-like sloping rear.

The combination of the GLA 35's ride height and well-sized doors make ingress and egress easy, and visibility is quite good, even to the sides and rear.

The GLA 35 might be an "entry-level" AMG product, but it still features a stunning interior filled with quality materials. In standard form, the GLA 35 comes equipped with MB-Tex seats in your choice of Neva Grey/Black or Black with microfiber inserts and red stitching. Leather options cost an additional $1,450 and include Black, Bahia Brown, Classic Red/Black, or Titanium Grey/Black. Trim options like carbon structure and brushed aluminum suit the crossover's sporty demeanor to a tee, but a warmer and more luxurious atmosphere is granted via the optional natural grain Black Linden or natural grain Brown Walnut wood options. Both of these cost $325.

Mercedes-AMG offers a range of AMG performance steering wheels in your choice of Nappa leather, Nappa leather/microfiber, or microfiber only. There are some cheaper plastics to be found scattered around the cabin, but the overall sense is one of premium luxury. For a more mature look, the red seat belts can be replaced by black ones at no extra charge.

AMG Performance front seats are optional and come with integrated head restraints and AMG badges, along with more substantial side bolsters.

Prospective GLA 35 owners will be looking at two main things when buying a car in this class; performance and practicality. We already know that the GLA 35 is an adept performer, but is it as practical as its competitors? Yes and no. The GLA 35 offers only 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, dwarfed by the 21.6 cubes offered in the BMW X2 and the 23.7 cubic feet on offer in the Audi Q3. The good news is that the liftover height is minimal, and you can still pack a decent amount of groceries or luggage in there. If more space is required, the rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split, opening up a total of 50.5 cubic feet of space. The cabin gets your usual door pockets front and back, a center armrest storage compartment, a glovebox, and a scattering of cupholders.

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 is first and foremost a premium luxury vehicle and, as such, comes with an assortment of high-quality features. Seeing as there is only a single trim on offer, the GLA 35 comes standard with sporty power front seats with three-position memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 64-color ambient LED lighting system, keyless start, and a power liftgate. Standard driver assistance systems include active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot assist, crosswind assist, downhill speed regulation, and adaptive braking technology. Some of the best features will cost extra, however. Heated front seats should've been standard but these go for $500, and both heated and ventilated front seats will add $950 to the bill. An AMG-style head-up display is a pricier $1,100, and there are other advanced features on the menu like a surround-view camera system and wireless phone charging.

The GLA 35 runs two 10.25-inch displays on the dashboard. One is used as a digital instrument cluster, and the other touch-sensitive one takes care of infotainment duties. The infotainment system runs the latest MBUX software and is controlled through voice control, "Hey Mercedes" keyword activation, a touchpad controller, and steering-wheel touch control buttons. The system features four USB-C ports and a USB-C adaptor cable. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth streaming and an HD Radio receiver. Optional infotainment extras include MB navigation, in-car Wi-Fi, and a 12-speaker Burmester sound system with a 590-watt 9-channel digital amplifier. Overall, the MBUX software allows you to swipe through various menus quickly enough, but the voice commands aren't always picked up by the system.

No recalls have yet affected the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35. However, the broader Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has been far from trouble-free. The 2021 model was recalled seven times, although it's unclear how many of these maladies apply to the GLA 35 specifically. Some of the issues included a disabled eCall system which is likely to have affected the GLA 35, as over 230,000 Mercedes models were implicated. In fact, this same feature was involved in three separate recalls for 2021 models.

Mercedes-AMG will cover the GLA 35 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, including corrosion protection, a roadside assistance plan, and powertrain cover for the same time/distance.

Neither the NHTSA nor IIHS has a safety review of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, or the base GLA -Class. But Mercedes-Benz builds numerous cars that sport Top Safety Pick awards from the IIHS, so we wouldn't be too worried. The platform itself has fared well in Europe and the standard raft of safety features is impressive.

The GLA 35 is packed with the latest safety tech, so ignore the lack of official ratings: this German SUV will keep you safe. Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags, including side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger and a driver's knee airbag. ABS brakes, LED headlights, and stability and traction control are also standard. The GLA 35 also comes with driver assistance features such as active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot assist, and crosswind assist. Conventional cruise control is part of the standard spec as well.

Most of the best safety gear will cost extra and are bundled together in the Driver Assistance Package. This adds, among others, adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist, active steering assist, active blind-spot assist, and active speed limit assist. A surround-view camera system, front/rear parking sensors, and active parking assist are other high-tech goodies that are worth a look.

Mercedes-AMG has struck a genius balance with the GLA 35. This car is infinitely more rewarding and exciting to drive than anything Audi or Volvo can offer and is, in our opinion, the better car to live with when compared to its most direct rival, the BMW X2 M35i. The GLA 35 is an interesting but totally viable option for those who have moved on from hot hatches but are still looking for performance and fun. Don't let the crossover status fool you: this family-friendly Merc will happily sit with a Golf R in the canyons. The GLA isn't as practical as its less performance-focused rivals, but it does sport a luxurious cabin and lots of standard tech. Yes, it's on the expensive side of the spectrum, but there aren't any other cars that do the same job. We think it's a hit.

Stick those three hallowed letters - A, M, and G - on the rear end of a Mercedes, and the price seems to magically skyrocket. The GLA 35 isn't a cheap car; in fact, with an MSRP of $47,950, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,050, it is one of the most expensive in its class, even eclipsing its closest rival, the BMW X2 M2 35i by over a grand. The options can pile up too, and if you're not careful, the AMG GLA 35's asking price can easily sail past the $60k mark.

There is a single trim on offer for 2022. The Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 comes standard with a single engine option, and what an option it is: this turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The exterior features a power liftgate, AMG alloy wheels, and LED headlights. Inside, you can expect to find power-adjustable sport bucket seats in front, a LED ambient lighting system, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, dual 10.25-inch displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth streaming. Driver assistance features include active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot assist, and crosswind assist.

Mercedes-AMG offers many cool optional packages for the GLA 35, but be careful: they add up. On the exterior, you can select the AMG Night Package for $750, which adds black highlights to the grille and mirrors, or why not go for the AMG Aerodynamics Package, which, for $1,550, adds a bunch of unnecessary but cool-looking wings and spoilers. Inside, you can go for the $3,270 AMG Performance Seat Package, which adds multi-contour heated front AMG sports seats. The $1,700 Driver Assistance Package is highly suggested and includes active steering assist, evasive steering assist, brake assist with cross-traffic function, and much more. The Multimedia Package is also a good bet at $1,300 and includes MB navigation and speed-limit assist.

There's only one trim on offer, so we suggest adding a few optional extras to truly make your GLA 35 yours. We'd go for one in Iridium Silver metallic and add the AMG Night Package if we had the bucks, although this also requires adding pricier wheels. On the inside, we'd stick with the MB-Tex upholstery and add the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package along with the Multimedia and Premium packages. The total build cost for our GLA 35 comes to $54,750 including destination.

The BMW X2 M35i is another of those strange hybrids between performance hatch and crossover SUV-thing, and it's the closest rival the GLA 35 has. These cars are similarly priced and offer around 300 hp from their turbocharged 2.0L engines. Both are AWD and relatively fun to drive. We much prefer the Mercedes-AMG's exterior styling, and the interior is also a fair bit more emotional and premium-feeling. However, the BMW is the more practical car and offers a larger trunk. It's also slightly more fuel-efficient, but not by much. The GLA 35 is a well-rounded car that just feels like the more grown-up choice, and for that reason, we'll take it over the BMW, despite the higher cost.

The Audi Q3 is a popular model in this segment due to its comfort, practicality, and brand status. Unfortunately, the Q3 family doesn't offer a true competitor to the GLA 35. The Q3 kicks out a maximum of 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which means the GLA 35 is clearly the better performing car, but the Q3 claws back some points by offering more cargo space behind the rear seat and a more comfortable ride (if that's your thing). The Audi's interior is well built and premium feeling, but lacks the drama of the AMG cabin. If you're after a solid but not too exciting luxury compact crossover, the Q3 is a good bet, but if you want to get your heart rate up, the GLA 35 is the only choice.