Everything. The new Mercedes-AMG GLA35 and GLA45 are based on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-class, which is a ground-up redesign.The Mercedes-AMG GLA-class is offered in both GLA35 and GLA45 guise, and both come standard with a host of performance features that turn up the heat on the Benz-branded GLA250. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a sport-tuned suspension. Pricing and option packages haven't yet been officially released, so we aren't sure which one represents the best value. But, that 382-hp version of the GLA's turbo-four makes the GLA45 model the most compelling from a performance standpoint.
AMG waves its wand over the new baby SUV from Benz.
PROS Fierce package Second row fits adults, hurrah Will become the most popular baby AMG for a reason
CONS Front seat is uncomfortable Noisy cabin is far from premium Some will write you off as a wannabe
The GLA has been fully redesigned for 2021.
PROS Smooth ride and comfortable seats Features one of today's best, most advanced infotainment systems Mercedes badge at an affordable price
CONS Most of the GLA's advanced safety features are optional Too much road noise for a luxury SUV Cargo capacity is small compared to Mercedes' GLB
There are plenty of seven-seat SUVs to choose from if you've got a large budget, but what if you're looking for something that's got all the space but is more reasonably priced? Well, then the Skoda Kodiaq should be on your shortlist, because its attractive entry-level price certainly makes it appealing to big families looking for value for money. It's actually Skoda's first ever seven-seater car, and its first large SUV. It shares some of its underpinnings with other VW Group SUVs including the Audi Q2, Seat Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan, but the larger Kodiaq is more of a rival for the Nissan X-Trail, while the higher-end and pricier versions compete with the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and even Land Rover's Discovery Sport. The entry-level versions of the Kodiaq come with five seats as standard, but it’s the seven-seat versions that have by far the most appeal. Engine options range from a 121bhp 1.4 petrol all the way up to a punchy 188bhp 2.0-litre diesel, and there’s also a choice between front and four-wheel drive and manual and automatic (DSG) gearboxes.
The Kodiaq is the first seven-seater for the Czech manufacturer, and the start of a rollout of SUV models due to hit showrooms over the next four years. Kodiaq is named after the Kodiak bear which inhabit the Kodiak islands in Alaska. For some handy dinner table trivia, the car is spelt with a ‘q’ not a ‘k’ as a tribute to Alaska’s native Alutiiq people who identify an animal by ending its name with a ‘q’. That and there’s already a Chevrolet Kodiak and, you know, lawyers.
Pros Practical, spacious and clever - like a Skoda should be Comfortable seats, and comfortable ride Upmarket interior, especially the touchscreen
Cons Front design perhaps a little awkward Lacklustre midrange response from both engines Third row quite tight
The Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech company’s first seven-seater SUV and a real reason to worry for rival models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Kodiaq strikes a good balance when it comes to offering comfort and agility. Well, ‘aglie’ might be too strong a word, but for a car of this size, the big Skoda suffers from little body roll even if you power through corners quickly. More important is the cosseting ride, which you get in all but 19-inch wheeled models. It shields passengers from big bumps and broken road surfaces, with only smaller high-frequency jolts catching the chassis out. We drove a model with 19-inch wheels and although the ride wasn’t uncomfortable, you did feel most bumps in the cabin.
Pros Superb build quality Hugely practical interior Seven-seat option
Cons Stiff ride with big wheels Some wind noise at motorway speed Top-spec diesel noisy
