2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 S Photos, engines & full specs

After Mercedes-AMG refreshed the A45 lineup, it continued its work and upgraded the crossover version of that compact hatchback, the GLA 45, and it also offered it with the red S letter behind it.

While Mercedes-Benz was focused on premium cars with nice interiors and reasonable performance, and the Mercedes EQ was plugged into the EV segment, Mercedes-AMG continued its march into the high-performance car segment. It upgraded every car that the other two brands made, including the electric ones. So, why not the GLA? After all, there was a high demand for sports-oriented compact crossovers such as the Porsche Macan, Audi RS Q3, or BMW X1 M35i. As a result, the GLA 45 S came with the most powerful two-liter inline-four engine on the market, like the A45 S, but with a jacked-up suspension and roomier interior. It was like a family vehicle where the one behind the wheel loved to thrash the car around corners when they were alone, of course.

The refreshed version of the GLA 45 S boasted the already known AMG-specific Panamericana grille with chromed vertical slats, although this time, it looked slightly different due to the center-mounted three-pointed-star badge. The car’s headlights were redesigned and boasted thinner upper daytime running lights compared to its predecessor. From its profile, the car remained largely the same, with black side sills that created the idea of higher ground clearance and body-color moldings around the wheel arches, emphasizing the crossover character of the vehicle. Still, it was not a vehicle built for off-road, but it was suitable for a gravel rally stage. At the back, the automaker installed twin exhausts on each side of the vehicle, underneath the bumper, flanking the black diffuser.

Inside, the 45 S boasted a high level of luxury but with a sporty touch. While the standard version came with sports seats, the automaker offered an option for AMG Performance ones, with integrated headrests and high bolstering. There were new upholstery options, including combinations of Artico leather and MICROCUT microfiber materials, which were available in a few colors. Fronting the driver was the same LCD for the instrument cluster complemented by a second touchscreen mounted atop the center stack for the MBUX latest infotainment system. In the back, the split-folding bench seat was suitable mostly for two passengers due to the tall transmission tunnel.

Under the hood, Mercedes-AMG installed the same two-liter four-banger powerplant as in the AMG 45 or the AMG 35 versions but tuned for higher power. As a result, the GLA 45 S offered customers the experience of 421 PS (416 hp) to play with. Furthermore, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT eight-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox helped the car get a 0 to 62 MPH (0-100 kph) time of just 4.3 seconds, which was slightly slower than the A45 S, but still in the sports-car segment. The fully variable all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ with AMG TORQUE CONTROL allowed the vehicle to send the power where it was needed the most to improve traction.