GLA-Klasse
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz GLA was the brand’s first compact SUV and carried the internal designation X156. Positioned below the GLC in the Mercedes-Benz range, it combined a raised driving position with the compact front-drive architecture shared by several related models. Depending on the market, the GLA was available with front-wheel drive or Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive, alongside petrol and diesel powertrains. The first series covered here runs from 2013 to 2019 in the ScanRacer catalogue. It received a significant update unveiled in January 2017, bringing revised styling and expanded equipment while retaining the X156 identity. At the top of the range sat the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC, a substantially more powerful derivative than the mainstream versions. Exact engines, equipment and drivetrain availability varied by country and model year.
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Variants by year
Make: Mercedes-Benz · Model: GLA-Klasse
2 / 2 versions shown
2019
2013
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Klasse photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz GLA was the brand’s first compact SUV and carried the internal designation X156. Positioned below the GLC in the Mercedes-Benz range, it combined a raised driving position with the compact front-drive architecture shared by several related models. Depending on the market, the GLA was available with front-wheel drive or Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive, alongside petrol and diesel powertrains. The first series covered here runs from 2013 to 2019 in the ScanRacer catalogue. It received a significant update unveiled in January 2017, bringing revised styling and expanded equipment while retaining the X156 identity. At the top of the range sat the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC, a substantially more powerful derivative than the mainstream versions. Exact engines, equipment and drivetrain availability varied by country and model year.
History
The GLA was revealed in 2013, entering a compact premium SUV category that was expanding rapidly at the time. Mercedes-Benz positioned it as a higher-riding and more versatile alternative to its compact cars, without moving into the size class of larger family SUVs. Its engineering relationship with the A-Class, B-Class and CLA of the same era was evident, although the GLA received its own body, ride height and SUV-oriented design language. The launch range differed between countries. Depending on the market, buyers could choose from petrol or diesel engines, a dual-clutch automatic transmission and, on selected versions, Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Engine outputs and trim names should therefore be compared by market and model year rather than assumed to be universal. The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC added a much stronger performance focus, using a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and AMG all-wheel-drive hardware. In January 2017, Mercedes-Benz unveiled an updated X156 GLA at the Detroit motor show. The revision brought exterior styling changes, revised equipment, an expanded powertrain offering and updated trim choices. The X156 was later succeeded by an all-new GLA generation introduced for the 2020 model year in several markets.
Generations
The 2013-2019 period represents one GLA generation: the X156. The 2017 update was not a complete redesign, but a mid-cycle facelift. That distinction matters when identifying a vehicle or organizing a model archive. Early X156 cars generally feature a simpler front-end treatment, the earlier lighting signature and the pre-facelift interior layout. The dashboard retains the freestanding-style multimedia screen mounted above the center console, a design shared with several Mercedes compact models from the same period. The basic dimensions and engineering architecture remain those of the X156, even when engines, trim levels or drivetrains differ. The facelift unveiled in January 2017 kept the X156 designation while revising several visual and equipment details. Mercedes-Benz described updated exterior accents, refreshed equipment and a broader engine offering. Later market brochures may also show different lighting technology, screens, wheels and trim combinations. Model year alone is therefore not enough for precise identification. The front bumper and grille, headlamps, rear lamps, wheels, interior equipment and vehicle identification number should be checked together, especially when a car was registered later than its production year or imported from another market.
Key differences
The clearest distinction is between pre-facelift cars and the versions updated for 2017. Early examples use the original front-end design, initial bumper and headlamp shapes, and the first-generation interior equipment layout. Facelifted cars retain the X156 body identity but receive revised exterior detailing and updated equipment combinations. Mechanical differences depend heavily on market. A front-wheel-drive GLA should not be assumed to match a 4MATIC model, and petrol and diesel versions may differ in engine, transmission and calibration. Safety equipment, lighting technology, infotainment and trim packages can also change by year and country. The GLA 45 AMG is the most obvious outlier, with a highly tuned 2.0-litre engine, AMG-specific exterior and chassis components, stronger brakes and a dedicated all-wheel-drive system. Visual clues help narrow the identification, but the vehicle identification number and original market documentation provide the most reliable confirmation.
Photo recognition
To identify an X156 GLA, begin with its proportions: a compact five-door body, raised seating position, short overhangs and a taller roofline than the contemporary A-Class. Roof rails, lower-body cladding and the Mercedes-Benz grille reinforce its SUV character, although the exact appearance depends on trim and options. The front end is the most useful visual checkpoint. Pre-facelift cars use the original bumper and headlamp design, while cars updated from 2017 have revised exterior and lighting details. Wheels, exhaust outlets and badges can then help identify a trim level or performance derivative. The 4MATIC badge identifies all-wheel drive, while AMG badges, larger wheels, stronger-looking brakes and the sportier interior help distinguish a GLA 45. These clues are not conclusive because factory options could significantly alter a car’s appearance. Registration year can also differ from production year. For a dependable identification, compare the visible details with the original brochure for that market and confirm the vehicle identification number.
Important versions
The most distinctive X156 derivative is the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC. In Mercedes-Benz USA’s 2018 documentation, it uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 375 hp, an AMG SPEEDSHIFT dual-clutch transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Mainstream versions such as the U.S.-market GLA 250 use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 208 hp with a 7G-DCT transmission, and were offered with front-wheel drive or 4MATIC depending on configuration. European and other international markets used different names and powertrains. Mercedes-Benz’s 2017 press material, for example, refers to the GLA 180 d and GLA 45 4MATIC. This illustrates why version names should be treated as market-specific information rather than as a single global lineup. Exact equipment, engine availability and output should be checked against the original documentation for the vehicle’s country and model year.
The name “GLA-Klasse” follows Mercedes-Benz naming, with its rules and its exceptions. Decode a Mercedes-Benz name
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Klasse produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2013 - 2019.
- How many Mercedes-Benz GLA-Klasse examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 9 published scans from 9 members, with the latest photo added in October 2026.
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