Mercedes-Benz GLA or GLB: how to make the best choice?
July 30 2021,
When hesitating between two products, there is always a risk of making a mistake. When both are Mercedes-Benz, there is no risk of error. But you can make the wrong choice depending on your needs.
Here is a quick tour of two models that may very well satisfy you, but that are not necessarily adapted to everyone's needs. The first one will please one person while the second one will seduce the other.
Let's take a look at what each one offers so you can make the best selection... for you.
Cargo Volume
If you're in the market for an SUV, it's possible that one of your priorities is cargo space. Here, the advantage goes to the GLB. Because of its design, it offers more interior space than the GLA. In concrete terms, behind the second row of seats, the difference in volume is as follows: 560 liters for the GLB, 435 for the GLA. And when the second seat is folded down? 1735 liters with the GLB, 1430 with the GLA.
If you've always got a lot of stuff to carry, you'll find more with the GLB.
Character
The two SUVs offer different personalities. It's mostly a matter of style. The GLA is the little delinquent of the group, the one that defies the norm and presents itself as a non-conformist solution. With the GLB, we get our hands on a model with more classic, more reserved lines, but whose design is just as seductive.
There is no wrong choice here. The question to ask yourself is: which one do you want to admire most in front of your home over the next few years?
The Engines
Two identical powertrains are at the service of the GLA and GLB, namely the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engines of the 250 and AMG 35 versions. The former produces 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. In the second case, the figures are 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
So it's interesting in both cases, both models, because the weight is similar between the two (the GLA is a bit lighter).
The difference is with the GLA, which offers a third powertrain. We're talking about a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this time prepared by the experts at AMG. Power: 382 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It's simple, we're talking about a little pocket-rocket with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds.
If you're salivating at the sight of those numbers, the GLA is for you. Otherwise, as you've seen, it depends on your personal tastes and needs. A test drive might help you decide.
