MERCEDES-BENZ SUVs from A to B Mercedes-Benz GLB 250

• Published date: 25 February 2021

There was a brand new A-Class back in 2018, but the GLA has only just caught up. So the all-new model you see here is based on the latest A-Class platform, complete with all that fancy MBUX digital instrumentation and the “Hey Mercedes” intelligent voice assistant.

The GLA’s role has changed a bit in the meantime, because now we also have the GLB compact seven-seater sitting just above it (more about that in a minute).

The previous GLA did look and feel a lot like a slightly jacked-up iteration of the A-class hatch, even if the body shape was unique. The new one is shorter than the old car, but it’s 122mm taller. The proportions are very different.

As you’d expect from a machine with a three-pointed star on the front, it ain’t cheap. Our GLA 250 is the cheapest model with AWD and it starts at $86,500.

The GLA 250 isn’t super sporty, but it’s certainly quick and crisp. Surprisingly quick you might even say, with an eager eight-speed dual-clutch box and 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.

It’s still an unobtrusive kind of performance, but then this is an unobtrusive kind of car. It’s arguably the least likely Mercedes-Benz SUV to be actively desired, but you could easily arrive at a GLA purchase by a process of elimination. It’s designed to fit into a very specific size, price and purpose bracket within the M-B line-up ... in a typically precise German way.

Even if you haven’t been actively lusting after the GLA 250, it’s a satisfying thing in terms of dynamics and quality. Especially the latter, because you’re getting that fancy widescreen instrument/infotainment display, and stunning details like the “turbine” air vents and a million (well, 64) configurable ambient-lighting colours for the cabin.

The GLA 250 gets the AMG-fettled Sports Direct Steer System as standard, so that must take a little of the credit for the impression of assured cornering.

This model also has the oddly named Lowered Comfort Suspension set-up, which makes it look nice but does introduce some fussiness into the ride. It’s not uncomfortable — just as well, because it’s called “Comfort” — but you do get the sense it goes a couple of clicks too far for a car like this.

Given the GLA is not exactly a road warrior, the 200 model looks tempting because it’s $73,300 instead of $86,500. You’d be hard pressed to tell them apart; they’re both on 19-inch wheels, for example, and the cheaper car doesn’t have that AMG Line suspension, so it presumably has a smoother urban gait.

Granted, the 200 is a lot...