Unfortunately, the crossover craze is far from over and continues to spawn oddities, such as the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45. This second-generation model finds itself in the awkward position of having no real direct competitors on the US market. The closest ones we can think of are cars such as the Honda Civic Type R and VW Golf R. Nevertheless, this is still a full-blooded AMG product (even if it is one of the cheapest ones), which means you get excellent build quality, solid reliability, and a ton of performance. Under the hood of the 5-door Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 SUV lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine producing an impressive 382 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. We like to think of this car as a hot hatchback with a bit more junk in the trunk, and if you look at it that way, it starts to make a bit more sense.
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 is an entirely new model this year, based on the all-new GLA subcompact crossover. Other than the CLA 45, this is the only 45 product on sale in the USA, albeit in a detuned state. In Europe, you get an additional "S" in the nomenclature, taking the power output up to 421 hp. Still, this is a proper AMG with styling and performance to match. It also gets the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system to effectively put all that power down. As the halo model in the GLA range, it looks the part with its butch AMG body styling.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG GLA 45 4MATIC |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$54,500 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Some might find it strange that Mercedes-AMG doesn't offer its proper hot hatch, the A45 AMG, in the USA, but a dwindling market that only features a few key players such as the Golf R, Hyundai Veloster N, and Honda Civic Type-R doesn't seem attractive enough for the German brand, which has decided to stick to the performance SUV market for now. This means that the GLA 45 sits on its own on the playground with no real direct competitors. The little crossover offers explosive straight-line speed and will sit closely with even its most athletic and lighter compadres. It might be low on the AMG price scale, but it feels like a true AMG and sports a comfortable and spacious interior and excellent tech, but be aware of those options; the GLA 45 can get pricey. Like most such premium cars, there is no review of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA's safety rating by either the NHTSA or IIHS, but the comprehensive list of standard tech should alleviate any fears. Yes, you can get a more engaging driving experience for less cash, but those who like a bit of premium luxury will find it hard to ignore the GLA 45.
We suggest getting one in Iridium Silver metallic with the 21-inch AMG cross-spoke wheels and the $1,550 AMG Aerodynamics package, which adds the AMG Night package and a bunch of cool-looking wings and splitters. Other options we'd go for include the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, which adds driver-assistance features such as steering assist, active distance control, and active brake assist. The $2,050 AMG Dynamic PLUS package is a must for performance nuts and adds important features such as RACE mode, an AMG drive unit, and AMG track Pace. If you were to opt for everything on this list, the price of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 SUV would be $65,665 with destination included.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo