Mercedes Benz Gla 250 4matic 2016

So, you're thinking about a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic, huh? Or maybe you just saw one in a parking lot and it winked at you. Let’s grab a coffee and talk about this little German hatchback that thinks it’s an SUV.

First off, confession time: this car is a gorgeous, slightly confused little thing. It’s like the Mercedes team said, “Let’s make a baby SUV, but also a hot hatch, but also a luxury pod.” The result? The GLA 250. A car that’s very easy to love.

The Look: Is That a Crossover or a Corgi?

From the outside, the 2016 GLA is aggressive and stubby. It sits low for an SUV—very low. You could almost call it a squashed station wagon with a lifted suspension and a bad attitude.

It has big, angry headlights and a giant Mercedes star on the grille. Let’s be real: that star does half the work for you. Park this anywhere, and people know you’re not messing around. Even if you’re just buying toilet paper.

And the 4Matic badge on the back? That’s the all-wheel-drive system. It’s not for rock crawling, but it will make you feel invincible in a light drizzle. Or a slightly wet leaf on the road. Whatever.

Inside: Where the Magic (and the Cost) Happens

Hop inside, and the first thing you notice is the smell. That new Mercedes smell—like a blend of leather, money, and regret for not buying a house first. The seats are firm but supportive, wrapped in MB-Tex, which is fancy Mercedes-speak for “really good fake leather that’s better than real leather.”

The dashboard is a masterpiece of clean clutter. You get a big tablet-like screen sticking out of the dash (very 2016), and physical buttons for the radio and climate control. Thank goodness—no touchscreen nonsense to mess up your latte. You twist a knob, you get heat. It’s therapeutic.

Is the back seat cramped? Oh, absolutely. Tall friends will hate you. But if you’re driving mostly alone or with a small dog, it’s perfect. The trunk is also a bit of a joke—like a clown car’s sad little cousin. But hey, it’s a luxury toy, not a moving truck.

Under the Hood: The Secret Sauce

Now for the good stuff. Under the hood lives a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers don’t sound huge, but remember: this car is a lightweight (about 3,500 lbs). It feels way quicker than the spec sheet suggests.

Put your foot down, and the GLA 250 does a little squat and then launches. It’s genuinely fun. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (the “7G-DCT”) snaps off shifts like a kid snapping pretzels. It’s crisp. It’s responsive. It makes you want to take the long way to the grocery store.

And the 4Matic all-wheel drive? It sends power to the rear wheels when it senses slip. In normal driving, it’s front-wheel-drive for fuel economy. But hit a corner in the rain, and it pulls you through like a helpful friend. It’s not a drift machine—but it’s really confidence-inspiring.

The Drive: Sporty or Comfortable? Yes.

You know what the best part is? The GLA 250 is a chameleon. Put it in Comfort mode, and it glides over potholes like a magic carpet. The steering is light, the ride is plush, and you’re basically in a luxury cloud.

Then you hit the “Dynamic Select” button and switch to Sport mode. Suddenly, the car gets angry. The transmission holds gears longer. The throttle response sharpens. The steering stiffens up. It’s like the car just had a double espresso and decided to yell at traffic. I love it.

Sure, it’s not a bespoke sports car. The body does lean a little in turns. But for a daily driver that can also take a dirt road and look good at a dinner party? This is a unicorn.

The Nasty Bits (We’re Being Honest, Right?)

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The 2016 GLA 250 4Matic has some quirks. The infotainment system is dated. You’ll have to use a knob controller while your friend’s Honda Civic has Apple CarPlay. Prepare to feel like a wizard using a rotary dial in 2025.

Also, the plastic covers in the engine bay are known to rattle. And the transmission can be a bit jerky at low speeds in stop-and-go traffic—like the car gets nervous in traffic jams. But honestly? It’s a German car. It’s allowed to have a personality.

Reliability? Mixed. Some owners report no issues for 100,000 miles. Others say the timing chain sounds like a sewing machine. Get a pre-purchase inspection. Seriously. Don’t buy a used German car without a mechanic’s blessing. Or a trust fund.

So, Should You Buy One?

If you want a tiny, stylish, all-wheel-drive rocket that feels like a lounge on wheels—and you don’t carry four adults regularly—the 2016 GLA 250 4Matic is a delight. It’s charismatic. It’s punchy. It makes every drive to the coffee shop feel like a tiny adventure.

It’s not the most practical car. It’s not the cheapest to fix. But if you’re after a car that makes you smile, turns heads, and somehow fits in a city parking spot while whispering “I’m fancy”? Go get one. You’ll thank me later.

Cheers. Now go drive something fun.