2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 competes in its own little segment of one. A car usually has a list of direct rivals, but this 382-horsepower compact crossover has none. Elsewhere in the world, it competes directly with the Audi RS Q3, which isn't available in the USA. If BMW made an X1 M or X2 M, those would compete with the GLA 45. This, then, is the cheapest way to get yourself into a fully-fledged AMG product. Yes, we're aware that the GLA 35 exists, but that doesn't follow the "one man one engine" ethos, and it misses out on the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package and its "Race" driving mode. The GLA 45's 382 hp and 354 lb-ft get it to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. There is another way to look at the GLA 45, however: Think of it as a hot hatch, and it makes a lot more sense. Since Mercedes-AMG won't sell its mighty A45 hatch in the USA, this is as close as a rival Mercedes-AMG has to the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the upcoming Golf R. It also comes with the latest MBUX infotainment system and much sleeker styling than the previous-generation GLA.

Mercedes amusingly refers to the AMG GLA 45 as an SUV on its website, but it just isn't. This is a slightly lifted hot hatch. It doesn't look exciting as standard, but you can tell the AMG version apart thanks to the Panamericana grille and quad exhausts. Add the AMG Aerodynamics Package and the AMG Night Package, and it's transformed into a hatch that perfectly communicates its performance potential to the outside world. We reckon most people will go for these packages because who wants a boring-looking AMG? You have to take the good with the bad, however. These packages force you to go for the 21-inch alloys with the tiniest lick of rubber. As standard, the GLA 45 rides on 19-inch wheels and has full exterior LED lighting. A panorama roof is optionally available.

Looking at the GLA's dimensions, you'll see that it fits perfectly into the hatch category. It's 174.6 inches long and 79.5 inches wide including the mirrors. It's the height of the GLA 45 that speaks to its crossover positioning, though. At 62.5 inches in height, it's an inch shorter than the base GLA yet is nearly five inches taller than the latest Golf R. It has the same 107.4-inch wheelbase as the regular GLA, however. The front track is 63.7 inches, while the rear measures 62.8 inches. The relatively low height and broader tracks give the car a squat, purposeful appearance. Curb weight is claimed to be 3,847 pounds, which is on par in the luxury subcompact crossover segment, but quite a lot more than your average hot hatch.

The AMG GLA 45's color palette lacks exciting options. In parts of the world where you can buy the A 45 S hatch, Mercedes will paint it a funky yellow. We're not particularly fond of the color, but at least it's interesting.

The color palette for the 2022 AMG GLA 45 is nine colors strong, only two of which are remotely interesting. Polar White and Night Black are the only no-cost options. Metallic options retail for $720, and you can choose between Digital White, Cosmos Black, Iridium Silver, Mountain Grey, and - new for 2022 - Rose Gold. Denim Blue and Patagonia Red are the only compelling options, and even then, you have to couple the paint with a contrasting 19- or 21-inch matte black wheel to make it pop. Mojave Silver has been discontinued.

The 45 engine may be the most powerful production four-cylinder elsewhere in the world, but that's not the case in the USA. Over here, Volvo claims that accolade. It's worth noting that Volvo's four-cylinder required both a turbocharger, supercharger, and hybrid assistance to make 400 hp.

As standard, it comes with Mercedes AMG's 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. That plus is of great significance as it denotes an upgraded AWD system with rear torque vectoring. The 45 is only available with the 4Matic+ system. Sending more than 300 hp through the front wheels is a big ask, yet somehow Honda manages to do it perfectly with its Civic Type R. Then again, the GLA 45 has a much meatier 382 hp and 354 lb-ft.

It comes with a Race Start function, more commonly known as launch control. The launch control in this car is savage. Somehow, AMG managed to make a car with a single turbo not feel turbocharged at all. It builds boost and whips forward the moment you let go of the brakes. The tires don't even chirp, and there's no discerning turbo lag-just relentless acceleration. Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph, but this is a case of under-promising and over-delivering. Independent tests have proved that it will get to 60 mph in less than four seconds. In the right conditions, we think this crossover will be able to outsprint its rear-wheel-drive V8 siblings, those being the C63 sedan and coupe. Among other similarly-sized crossovers, the BMW X2 M35i takes almost half a second longer to complete the benchmark sprint.

The previous-generation GLA 45 also boasted a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Still, it was let down by a slow, dimwitted seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an uninspiring four-wheel-drive system.

Merc's updated turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 is a masterpiece of an engine. It develops 382 hp at 6,500 rpm and 354 lb-ft between 4,750 and 5,000 rpm. The maximum power and torque are delivered relatively high up, but the geniuses at AMG built it this way to feel naturally aspirated. In other words, a turbocharged engine that happily spins to over 7,000 rpm. The previous version of this engine was also peaky, and the clunky gearbox made it feel underwhelming. It felt as if AMG simply shoehorned the gearbox from a torque-rich V8 under the hood and hoped for the best.

The new eight-speed dual-clutch is one of the two most significant reasons the new GLA 45 feels so much better. The gear ratios are perfectly judged, resulting in wicked fast acceleration across all speeds. The sportier modes will partially interrupt the ignition when shifting up, resulting in the now expected exhaust fart enthusiasts love so much. It can also double-declutch automatically when shifting down, making the driver feel like a hero. Since the GLA 45 is also a subcompact crossover, it will likely spend most of its time doing something less exciting than canyon carving. The gearbox simply blends into the background in its more sedate driving modes, providing silky-smooth seamless shifts.

Call us crazy, but the GLA 45 is what the Subaru WRX STI should have been. A four-cylinder turbocharged engine with standard AWD in a body style people prefer these days. This may be branded as a crossover but only in name. The laughable ground clearance, stiff damping, and racy rubber will all respond with a resounding "nein" the moment you hit gravel.

This Benz belongs on the tarmac, and even then, it toes the line between firm and uncomfortable. There are various driving-mode settings - too many for our liking. You can select what kind of damping you want, how much you want the ESP to interfere, and finally, the AMG Dynamic Select with its various driving modes. We'll focus on the latter, as it automatically changes the damping and ESP as well. The standard modes are Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. If you opt for the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package, you also get a Race Mode and more powerful brakes. We urge you to tick that box.

The GLA 45 has a wide range of talents. It has no problem coping in cold weather conditions with the right tires. Comfort is a relative term, but it's not as unforgiving as the Mini Countryman JCW, for example. You could easily live with it daily. Its sportier side is much better than the car that came before. The previous-generation model had a basic AWD system, and by that, we mean it was essentially a front-wheel-drive car that only activated the rear wheels when the front ones couldn't cope anymore. The new 4Matic+ system is more advanced. It does a better job of seamlessly transferring power between the front and rear. The 2022 GLA 45 also boasts torque vectoring for the rear wheels, so it can even control the percentage of power sent to the left or right rear wheel.

Grip levels are immense. The only oddity is the higher center of gravity. If you're used to a hot hatch, the body lean will feel strange at first. Not dangerous, just strange. We found ourselves liking a bit of lean, as it serves as a subtle warning that you may be pushing too hard. Suffice it to say that most people's bag of bravery will be empty long before the GLA 45 stops gripping.

Given the power output, the EPA-estimated fuel consumption figures are impressive. The claimed figures are 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined. That's not radically more than the less powerful GLA 35's 22/30/25 mpg. The GLA 45 does have a relatively small gas tank, however. It can carry just 13.5 gallons of fuel so the result is an estimated driving range of around 310 miles in mixed driving conditions.

The latest Mercedes-Benz products have completely moved away from the drab and dreary interiors of old. The new interiors are ideally suited to the smartphone generation, boasting a high-tech layout, a responsive touchscreen, smart voice activation, and funky interior lighting.

Quality levels are high, but the layout and interaction with the car impresses the most. The upper dash is dominated by two large screens. One display serves as the instrument cluster, while the other is a touch-sensitive infotainment system. MBUX is standard, and it's a step up from your usual voice-activated system. You simply say, "Hey Mercedes," followed by a statement or an instruction. If you say, "I'm cold," the kind lady who lives in the dash will raise the temperature a bit. It's still not as impressive as Apple's Siri, but getting there.

The GLA is noticeably bigger than its predecessor, though not as practical as the all-new GLB. Front legroom is 41 inches, while the rear legroom is a reasonable 38 inches. The front headroom is rated at 39 inches, and rear passengers get 38.1 inches. It's a relatively spacious compact crossover that can easily accommodate four adult passengers. Merc says it's a five-seater, but the middle rear seat is only suitable for a child. Rear-seat passengers will enjoy the ability to recline their seatbacks by up to 5.5 inches, while the front occupants get sport front seats with deep bolsters.

The GLA 45 comes standard with sporty front seats, though not the body-hugging ones found on some other AMG products. Merc's MB-Tex leatherette is standard and is available in Neva Grey/Black. The MB-Tex can also be combined with Dinamica and red stitching, another option that won't cost anything more. Black, Titanium Grey/Black, Classic Red/Black, and Bahia Brown leather add $1,450 to the price. The leather selections also require an upgrade to heated and ventilated front seats at $450. The more modern interior trims are free of charge: Carbon Structure and Brushed Aluminum work well with the contemporary interior, while the Natural Grain Brown Walnut wood and Natural Grain Black Linden wood are a bit at odds with everything else. Both of these wood options will cost $325.

While the interior space is impressive considering the size of the GLA, the trunk is disappointingly small. It has 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place. These fold down in a 40/20/40 split, resulting in 50.5 cubes of space. The Mini Countryman has up to 17.6 cubes, which is also on the small side - but, it's not a great look if your so-called SUV's trunk can't even match a car whose name is a synonym for small.

Interior storage consists of two cupholders up front, center armrest storage, and practical door pockets.

The GLA 45 boasts a generous list of standard features. They include a power liftgate, keyless entry and go with push-button start, remote start, sport front seats with power adjustment and three memory settings, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, illuminated entry, and over-the-air software updates. It's light on driver assistance features, however. Regular cruise control is standard, as is front collision warning with automatic braking, crosswind assist, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and rain-sensing wipers. By spending extra on Merc's comprehensive Driver Assistance Package, you can add 12 advanced driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and active brake assist with a cross-traffic function. A surround-view camera and parking assistant are also available, as is a head-up display.

The infotainment consists of two 10.25-inch displays. The left is a digital instrument cluster, while the right is a touchscreen multimedia display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio, and four USB-C ports. There are various ways to interact with the infotainment system. The most obvious is the touchscreen, but you also get the old-school touchpad controller. We prefer the steering-wheel touch control buttons, even though they don't always work like you want them to. The new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) can be daunting at first but becomes easy as pie once you understand it. We're still not 100 percent convinced that having a conversation with a car is a good idea. Artificial Intelligence works well, but we're always reminded of the movie Her. If this Merc had Scarlett Johansson's voice, you'd fall in love with it within a week.

Optional features include a 12-speaker Burmester surround-sound system, navigation, wireless charging, and the AMG Track Pace feature when you opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Track Pace lets you track and store performance data like acceleration, lap times, and even sector times. SiriusXM satellite radio is also on offer.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 is only a year old, but four recalls were issued for the 2021 GLA lineup. These were for an inaccurate vehicle location for emergency services being sent out following a crash by the eCall, the eCall system being entirely disabled, a blank backup-camera display, and the danger of an inadvertent front passenger airbag deployment due to an improperly grounded airbag. There have been no recalls for the 2022 GLA yet.

Each Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 SUV comes with Mercedes-Benz's standard four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranty. Unlike BMW, Mercedes-Benz does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has had the opportunity to review the AMG GLA 45. It's likely only a matter of time before a rating is issued from both bodies.

The GLA 45 comes standard with seven airbags including driver's knee airbag and side curtains for both seating rows, adaptive traction and stability control, rain-sensing wipers, a rearview camera, LED headlights and taillights, as well as LED daytime running lights. On the driver-assistance side, Mercedes includes forward-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, attention assist, and crosswind assist. A Driver Assistance Package is available and consists of Merc's latest driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, active lane-keep assist, and the famous Pre-Safe system that prepares the car for an impending are other useful features, although you'll need to pay extra for them.

We find it odd that Mercedes-AMG doesn't sell the normal A45 AMG in the USA. But then you sit back and realize that the hot hatch segment is also under threat. Only a few are left: The Honda Civic Type R, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, and the Hyundai Veloster N. The average consumer is far more interested in performance SUVs, even though they may not be as engaging as a low-slung hatch.

The GLA 45 is as close to a hot hatch as you'll get. It's right there when it comes to straight-line performance and not that far behind in the corners. The GLA is not as practical as an old-school hatch, but it offers similar interior space. And while that elevated driving position is no more useful than a tire iron made of rubber, people seem to love it. We love the 45's dedication to the business of going fast. SUVs that are this focused are usually high-end models that retail for more than $100,000. The GLA 45 is a full-fat AMG crossover SUV at half the price. The GLA 35 was already a niche product, and the 45 takes it up a notch. It has no direct rivals in the USA, and that makes it unique. Other car nerds will look at it and know exactly what it is. It's worth mentioning that you can get a more engaging driving experience and improved practicality for a lot less, but you'd have to forego the alluring compact crossover body.

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 has an MSRP of $54,950, excluding the $1,050 destination charge. As mentioned earlier, it has no direct rivals but you can make a case for the base Porsche Macan, which isn't nearly as quick but retails for $54,900. The Macan is a segment up, but with the Porsche badge pasted to the front, it's arguably the sportiest of the compact luxury crossover segment.

The GLA 45's size, power, and body style make it difficult to pin down a direct rival. This counts in Merc's favor. It blows a similarly-sized and shaped rival like the X2 M35i ($46,450) out of the water. Rivals from a segment above can be had for a similar price. Examples include the aforementioned Macan, Audi SQ5, and BMW X3 M40i. Even these cars struggle to keep up with the potent GLA 45 and we're keen to see whether this interesting strategy pays off in the long run.

There is just a single 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 trim that is the subject of this review, because we assess the GLA 35 and the normal GLAs separately in their own respective reviews. The GLA 45 makes use of a hand-built 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, sending the power through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. A special Race Start function enables it to sprint to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Several drive modes are standard and more functionality can be added by speccing the AMG Dynamic Plus Package with its high-performance brakes, Race Mode, and AMG Drive Unit.

The GLA 45 runs on 19-inch alloy wheels and has quad exhaust tips, LED headlights, LED tail lights, and LED daytime running lights. Inside, it has MB-Tex leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats with memory, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. Twin 10.25-inch displays are respectively the MBUX digital gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen and the system incorporates voice commands, all the latest connectivity features, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto.

Standard safety fare includes seven airbags, a backup camera, stability control, rain-sensing wipers, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.

You can add several standalone features and packages to the 45. The front seats can be upgraded by adding the $3,470 AMG Performance Seat Package Advanced, but it also requires black leather ($1,450) and heated/ventilated front seats ($450). This package adds multi-contour seats with power side bolsters. The $1,295 Multimedia Package adds navigation, augmented video for the navigation, and speed-limit assist. The Parking Assistance Package retails for $1,090 and includes a surround-view camera and a parking assistant. The $850 Burmester surround sound system adds an audio setup with 12 high-quality speakers. An AMG head-up display can be added to the GLA 45 for an extra $1,100.

There are two must-have packages. The first is the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, which consists of 12 driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, cross-traffic alert, and Pre-Safe Plus, to name just a few. However, this package requires speccing the Multimedia Package as well. The second package of choice is the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, adding an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa/Dinamica trim, Race Mode, AMG Drive unit on the steering wheel, AMG Track Pace, and high-performance brakes. It adds $2,050 to the price of the Mercedes AMG GLA 45, but also requires the Multimedia Package to be specced.

There's only one model, but it's worth looking at the available optional extras as the price can escalate fairly quickly if you aren't careful. We'd have the AMG Aerodynamics Package, which automatically includes the AMG Night Package. The 21-inch alloys look good, but the standard 19s provide a better ride. The AMG seats look cool, but they rob the rear passenger room. We'd stick with the standard seats in Classic Red/Black leather. Finally, we'd add the Driver Assistance Package and the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. The total price of this build comes to $65,095, including destination.

Retailing at $47,950, the GLA 35 represents a decent saving over the GLA 45. You could also make the argument that it's all the GLA you'd ever need. The 35 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, but it only produces 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It uses the same eight-speed dual-clutch transmission but a less advanced version of Merc's 4MATIC system.

The deficit in power means it takes 5.1 seconds to get to 60 mph, which is still quite brisk.

On the inside, the cars are virtually identical, sharing most of the same standard features.

If you're simply looking for a cool and rapid SUV, the 35 should do just fine. But suppose you're looking for a proper driving tool with torque vectoring, and the most powerful four-cylinder without electric assistance. In that case, you'll need to fork over the extra $7,000 for the GLA 45.

At this price level, you'll only be able to afford the base Porsche Macan, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Macan slots into the compact luxury crossover segment, making it larger overall than the GLA. We've driven loads of Macans over the years, and we were pleasantly surprised by this late non-six-cylinder addition. First, the downsides. The Macan uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing only 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It takes a leisurely six seconds to get to 60 mph, which is laughable compared to the GLA's 4.3 seconds. But, as we've said many times before, sprint times are meaningless, and the Porsche perfectly demonstrates that. In many ways, the four-pot Macan is the best of the lot.

You see, it still has that inherent Porsche DNA. It grips and handles like a properly sorted hot hatch. Thanks to the lighter engine under the hood, the front end is more responsive and less prone to understeer. The Porsche also has a larger 17.6 cube trunk and a useful 4,409-lbs tow rating. And let's not forget the allure of that badge. Would we take the Macan over the GLA 45? That's a tricky question. The Macan is getting on a bit, but it's still an excellent SUV. Our advice is to drive both and decide which vehicle's talents work better for you.