Group Test: Mercedes-Benz GLA250 versus GLA45 AMG

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 7 Centuries ago, the citizens of Rome were entertained by gladiators – trained men who fought not just other fighters but ferocious beasts, too. If a gladiator fought well, he would win the respect of the emperor and the adulation of the crowd. In short, such matches were downright bloody and brutal.

Equally fierce and also likely to be bloody (only in the metaphorical sense, of course) is the gladiatorial battle between the GLA250 and its high-speed sibling, the GLA45 AMG.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 1 Both contenders are based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but look almost nothing like it. The GLA is not only taller and wider, but has more chiselled sheet metal as well. Adding to the rugged appearance are their roof rails and elevated ride height. Viewed from the rear, both resemble hunched fighters ready to launch themselves into vehicular mortal combat.

Between the two, however, it is the GLA45 AMG that looks more intimidating, for its “armour” is strikingly different. Whereas the GLA250 test-car in this story wears a two-bar front grille and 19-inch wheels, the GLA45 here is shod with 20-inch wheels and utilises a single-bar grille.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 2 To further bolster its menacing looks, the GLA45 has additional components, such as red brake callipers, a roof spoiler and “quad-exhaust” housings. It even has “war paint” in the form of red decals around its grille and wing mirrors. At this point, the GLA250 appears rather meek in comparison.

The marked differences between both cars continue inside, with the GLA250 offering a more balanced blend of sportiness and comfort. The front seats in its cockpit, for instance, are wider and cushier than those of its red-hot sibling. For added convenience, the GLA250 has a column-mounted shift lever, too.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 4 The GLA45, on the other hand, has an enthusiast-oriented cockpit. There are bucket seats for both the driver and front passenger, and the steering wheel is trimmed with Alcantara. In addition to that, the paddle-shifters are longer and have a more solid feel for easier reach and operation.

Power-wise, the GLA250 has a substantial 211bhp and 350Nm from its turbocharged 2-litre engine. These figures give it the ability to complete the century sprint in 7.1 seconds. Like a stoic warrior, however, this vehicle is devoid of any drama. It simply delivers. The car’s 7-speed dual-clutch is a smooth operator, too, and slurs its gearchanges smoothly like a torque-converter automatic would.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 3 The GLA45, on the other hand, has a more brutal disposition. Like the GLA250, it also has a 2-litre turbo motor, but this is no run-of-the-mill unit, because it has been painstakingly assembled by a single engineer at the AMG factory. This powerplant kicks out a stout 360bhp and 450Nm, which is 149bhp and 100Nm more than its rival’s.

As you can imagine, the GLA45 has a more “barbaric” personality. Fire it up and it barks to life, signalling its eagerness to intimidate and defeat any opponent standing in its way. Growling savagely, too, is the sports exhaust, which punctuates every gearchange with a crack that’s almost loud enough to set off car alarms. This is rather appropriate, because it would seem as if they are yelping in fear.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 5 Apart from being more powerful, the GLA45 is also more agile. Its stiffer dampers and thicker anti-roll bars allow it to run rings around the GLA250, though this comes at the expense of comfort.

So, which of these gladiators would ultimately win over the crowd? Within the arena of sporty, premium compact crossovers, the GLA250 and GLA45 are undoubtedly strong competitors. If it’s a fast-paced duel, then the GLA45 is untouchable. But in a long drawn-out battle, it is the GLA250 that excels.

Group Test Mercedes Benz Gla250 Versus Gla45 Amg 6 In this case, there really isn’t a clear winner, as both “fighters” split the crowd down the middle.