News / 20 May 2024 / Albert du Toit

New Mercedes-Benz GLA officially goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing and specifications

The new Mercedes-Benz GLA is finally on sale in South Africa following its reveal well over a year ago in March 2023.

The stylish crossover is now available in four specifications spanning two trim options and two engines, with prices starting at R922,841.

Alongside the fresh-faced GLA, the three-pointed star is also introducing the new GLB to the domestic market as its most affordable seven-seater.

Features

Mercedes’ updated entry-level crossover benefits from a revised exterior design, encompassing a new radiator grille with vertical louvres and a horizontal fin, discreet “power domes” on the bonnet, a more rugged front bumper, and modernised lighting signatures for the standard LED High Performance head and taillights.

Added to this, the GLA now sits on 18-inch, five-twin-spoke alloy wheels from the factory with three additional rim designs being available ranging from 19 to 20 inches. It can be optioned in a new Spectral Blue paint colour, too.

Inside the cabin, the Mercedes now comes with a 7-inch instrument cluster with Classic, Sporty, and Discreet themes; alongside a 10.25-inch multimedia screen running the latest MBUX software which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as an intelligent voice assistant.

Other highlights in the facelifted GLA include a new multifunction steering wheel upholstered in leather, 10-colour ambient lighting, high-beam assist, cruise control, the Parking package, a reverse camera, an additional USB-C port, and increased USB charging power.

Engines

Buyers of the new GLA get to pick between two front-wheel-drive powertrains, the 200 and 200d, both supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid technologies.

The GLA200 features a 1.3-litre, turbocharged petrol block married to a seven-speed automatic gearbox putting out 120kW and 270Nm, with fuel consumption ranging between 6.6-7.3l/100km.

Meanwhile, the GLA200d sports a larger 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel unit and eight-speed shifter generating less power at 110kW but noticeably more torque at 320Nm, and it achieves a lower fuel usage of 5.3-5.9l/100km.

The mild-hybrid system then provides 10kW of boost in both drivelines for improved acceleration performance in comparison to the outgoing model with the 200 now getting from 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds and the 200d in 8.6 seconds, and it enables coasting with the combustion engine switched off to enhance fuel savings.