Mercedes-AMG GLA45: Utility Vehicle or Sports Car?
Comparing the GLA45 AMG to a Grand Cherokee and Macan S reveals some surprises.
The evolution of the SUV has been interesting to track over the last 10 or 15 years. A decade ago when you thought of an SUV, immediately your mind pictured a big vehicle with a truck engine that would be used to go off-road or haul a boat. Nowadays, most SUVs are sold to people who won’t do either of those things, instead opting to use the space and size to haul kids and soccer equipment. Over subsequent years, SUVs have evolved into smaller, sportier packages, and are blurring the lines of what SUV actually means. Enter the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45.
In a new video by the guys over at Everyday Driver, the hosts directly compare the GLA 45 AMG to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Porsche Macan S. The idea is to find out where the GLA and the Macan fit in the whole new realm of utility vehicles. Not surprisingly, they have quite a difficult time just putting the GLA 45 AMG in one box.
The GLA 45 AMG is, first and foremost, a performance vehicle. With its sports car engine and handling, this vehicle shouldn’t be used for any off-roading, but then again, it sure does resemble a utility vehicle at first glance. That’s the struggle presented in the video. The vehicle isn’t as big or as roomy as a Grand Cherokee or Macan S, but do people need all that? Nowadays, probably not.
Over the course of the video, the question of what SUVs are primarily used for, and if that still qualifies these vehicles to compete with the Jeeps of the world, plagues the hosts. At the end of the day, however, they can agree on one thing – the GLA 45 AMG is super fun to drive. Compared to the two other vehicles, the Mercedes wins the fun factor, hands down.
So, is the GLA 45 AMG a sports car, utility vehicle, or perhaps both? Your mileage may vary, but the truth is that for most people looking for the space to carry some equipment and kids, and still have fun while doing it, the GLA 45 AMG is a mighty fine option.