Mercedes-Benz has brought the updated GLA to India, more than a year after its global reveal. The changes are mild, mostly new lights, fresh tech and a few added features. But the base petrol now starts at ₹51.80 lakh, up ₹1.30 lakh from the earlier ₹50.50 lakh price.
Mercedes-Benz GLA price in India: ₹51.80–55 lakh, variant-wise
The GLA facelift comes in three variants. The GLA 200 petrol starts at ₹51.80 lakh (ex-showroom). The GLA 220d 4MATIC diesel sits at ₹53 lakh, and the top GLA 220d AMG Line 4MATIC costs ₹55 lakh. On-road prices will be higher once you add road tax, registration and insurance, and these vary by state. Note the ₹1.30 lakh jump on the base petrol over the earlier launch price of ₹50.50 lakh. So you pay a bit more for the same engines, just with newer tech.
Exterior: what changed and what carried over
The old GLA already looked like a raised A-Class hatchback with a coupe-like roofline. The facelift keeps that same shape. Up front you get updated LED headlights with LED DRLs (daytime running lights), a new grille with vertical lines, and a reworked bumper. The AMG Line variant gets a special grille with pin chrome inserts and new 19-inch alloy wheels, with body-coloured cladding around the wheel arches. The rear is nearly untouched apart from new LED taillamps. Mercedes has added a fresh Spectral Blue paint option too. In short, this is an evolutionary update, not a redesign.
Interior & tech: dual 10.25-inch screens and MBUX NTG7
The dashboard layout stays the same, but the centre console is redesigned with more storage. The big change is the tech. You get dual 10.25-inch displays, one for infotainment and one as the driver's cluster. The screen now runs the latest MBUX NTG7 system (Mercedes' voice-and-touch software), and finally adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The regular variant gets an illuminated star pattern trim, while the AMG Line adds carbon-look trim and an AMG steering wheel with touch controls wrapped in Nappa leather. Two upholstery choices are on offer: Macchiato Beige and Artico Black.
Features & safety: 360-degree camera, gesture tailgate, 7 airbags
The facelift adds useful kit. You get a 360-degree camera (a full top-down parking view), electrically adjustable front seats with memory, and 64-colour ambient lighting. There's also a gesture-controlled powered tailgate and a two-part panoramic sunroof. On safety, the GLA packs seven airbags, active brake assist (auto-braking to avoid a crash), blind spot assist, adaptive high beam and a tyre pressure monitor. The wireless connectivity and 360-degree camera are the headline new additions here.
Engines & mileage: carryover petrol and 4MATIC diesel
Nothing changes under the bonnet. The GLA 200 uses a 1.3-litre turbo petrol making 161 bhp and 270 Nm of torque (pulling power), paired with a 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox. It's front-wheel drive and claims 15 kmpl (ARAI, a government test that runs higher than real driving). The GLA 220d uses a 2.0-litre diesel with 187 bhp and 400 Nm, mated to an 8G-DCT gearbox and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It claims 14 kmpl. The diesel also gets an off-road package with downhill speed regulation, letting you crawl down a slope at a set 2–18 kmph. Mercedes hasn't disclosed a mileage figure for the AMG Line diesel.
Mercedes-Benz GLA — Engine & performance
| Specification | GLA 200 | GLA 220d 4MATIC | GLA 220d AMG Line 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel type | Petrol | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 1332 cc | 1950 cc | 1950 cc |
| Max power | 161 bhp @ 5500 rpm | 187 bhp @ 3800 rpm | 187 bhp @ 3800 rpm |
| Max torque | 270 Nm @ 2000-3500 rpm | 400 Nm @ 1600-2600 rpm | 400 Nm @ 1600-2600 rpm |
| Transmission | 7G-DCT (7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic) | 8G-DCT (8-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic) | 8G-DCT (8-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD (4MATIC) | AWD (4MATIC) |
| Mileage | 15 kmpl | 14 kmpl | — |
GLA vs rivals: X1, Q3, and the value question
The GLA's direct rivals are the BMW X1 (around ₹50.90 lakh) and the Audi Q3 (₹43.67–52.31 lakh). Priced from ₹51.80 lakh, the GLA now sits slightly above the X1's entry price, so it no longer undercuts it. If you want more space for less money, the Skoda Kodiaq (₹36.99–46.99 lakh) is a much bigger 7-seat SUV that costs ₹5–15 lakh less, but it isn't a luxury-badge product. So the GLA fight is really about the three-pointed star and the compact luxury feel, not outright value.
Should you buy the GLA facelift or wait?
This is a light update. You're paying about ₹1.30 lakh more than before for newer MBUX tech, wireless phone mirroring, a 360-degree camera and fresh LED lights. The core car, engines, platform and shape, is unchanged. If you want an entry into the Mercedes badge with a punchy diesel 4MATIC for tougher roads, the GLA 220d 4MATIC at ₹53 lakh makes the most sense. But if space matters more than the badge, rivals give you more metal for your money. Existing pre-facelift owners have little reason to rush an upgrade.
References: Mercedes-Benz India — official website
