2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 – The Practical Hot Hatch

As of late, Mercedes-AMG is turning out a segment of high-performance cars that bridge the gap between having a hot hatch with a practical SUV. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 squares up against competitors like the Audi S3 and the BMW M135i. 

While all three hot hatches will put a smile on many performance car enthusiasts’ faces, the Mercedes-AMG is different in how it looks, performs and we forecast it stealing the market. In this article, we’ll examine what’s so special about the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 and why the market is moving in favor of these vehicles compared to your regular crossover segment. 

How Well Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 Drive?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 boasts an AWD system paired with a four-cylinder banger, producing around 225kW of power and a pretty impressive 400Nm of torque. However, these specs aren’t the whole story because the M260 engine isn’t an AMG custom motor but is manufactured courtesy of Affalterbach, which is paired with the AMG’s air cooler, turbocharger, and intake manifold, all of which in our experience is designed to let the motor run wild, with brand new software. 

On the road, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 is fun to drive. It shifts like a dream and handles well at high speeds across the twisty bends of a hilly road. The car is so well turned that it is almost a boring drive until you factor in how well and quickly it accelerates. 

Interior Quality and Comfort 

The cabin’s glitzy design will not win any awards, but it will undoubtedly make many people feel comfortable. The interior is impressive, to say the least, especially if you want to wow fellow passengers, with the sheer amount of technology packed into this vehicle. However, it’s not just the technology, but everything inside feels great; that’s where the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 has one up over the competition. 

Sure, the GLA35 is an expensive machine, but it certainly lives up to every expectation with authentic soft leathers and real metal accents. The plastics feel great but are in all the places you’d expect them to be. 

The dual 10.25-inch display does take some getting used to, but personally, we enjoyed using the central trackpad and the smaller version of the trackpads on the steering wheel for both screens. However, once we got into it, it wasn’t hard to see that the software was a lot more capable than some of its rivals. 

In terms of cabin space, the 2021 GLA35 is bigger than the previous generation, and that’s easily evident from the cabin and storage space. This time around, the vehicle is 87mm taller and 45 mm wider, but only 7mm longer. All of which translates to 435 liters of trunk space, making it a very practical city driver. 

Final Verdict

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 is one of the best choices if you love the SUV form factor but want something that’s a little hotter than what’s currently available. The well-designed exterior will turn heads for sure, and its zippy performance will put a smile on owners’ faces, especially on long highway drives. 

Our verdict: If you want the hottest, most practical vehicle and don’t mind paying for it, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 is worth considering.