The Mercedes GLA: From Milton Keynes to the Mountains
Last year, we put the Mercedes GLA 200D through the ultimate test – a journey from the roundabouts of Milton Keynes to the rugged Scottish highlands. Not only did the GLA chew through the miles, but it made the trip from the bucolic fields of Buckinghamshire to the craggily coast of Argyll on a single tank of fuel. Our road tester Mark only had to top up the fuel tank once he reached Oban, before departing for the scenic Isle of Mull. This versatile SUV proved it could handle everything from suburban streets to Highland passes, showcasing the incredible efficiency and capability that’s made the GLA such a popular choice of car subscription.
Now, we’re excited to welcome its electrified sibling to the mycardirect family – the new GLA 250e plug-in hybrid. While the 200D proved its long-distance credentials on that epic Highland adventure, the 250e brings something different to the party: the ability to handle your daily commute on pure electric power, then transform into a long-distance cruiser when adventure calls.
The 200D and the 250e, Which One Is for Me?
With the arrival of the new plug in hybrid GLA 250e we now have 2 variants of the GLA available for you to subscribe to, begging the obvious question; which one is best? We should start off by saying they are both brilliant, and the GLA that suits you best is going to depend more on your lifestyle than the nuts and bolts mechanical differences.
What do they have in common? They’re both great to drive, well equipped with onboard technology, and have a properly premium interior. The divergence comes from the powertrain, with the diesel 200D getting better mileage, and the 250e being able to run on purely electric power. If you anticipate doing high mileage the 200D may well be the best option. Managing an extremely impressive average miles per gallon of 53.3, the 200D is extremely fuel efficient, hence it’s ability to go all the way to the highlands on a single tank.
The 250e runs on a combined petrol & electric powertrain, averaging a combined 41.5 miles per gallon. So the 250e is less efficient in absolute terms, but it makes up for it in other areas. As a plug in hybrid you can charge the 250e up in just 25 minutes, and drive 43 miles on purely electric power. This means that if you’re principally driving around town, the 250e may well be the more economic option. As well as fuel savings because it can run on purely electric power the 250e comes with tax incentives for business users. If you subscribe to the GLA as a business you can enjoy benefit in kind as enviably low as just 8%.
The choice between the two thus comes down to which works out as more economical for you. If you’re a business user or mostly drive in town, the new 250e plug in hybrids are probably your best bet. If you anticipate doing high mileage, you’re probably best off with the 200D.
Can The 250e Go The Distance?
On his epic drive Mark didn’t just enjoy the incredible economy of the GLA 200D, but also it’s comfortable leather seats and ample storage space. While the 250e is a bit less fuel efficient over long distances, just as a bit of fun we decided to see if it would be possible to do the same trip from Milton Keynes to Oban on a single tank. The short answer is No. Averaging 41.5 MPG and equipped with a 7.7 gallon tank, even when driven optimally the GLA 250e has an expected range of 320 miles, falling well short of the 450 miles between Milton Keynes and Oban. While clearly more at home in the urban environment the 250e is still an accomplished grand tourer, and can even guide you to the nearest EV charger should you wish to top up the battery.
The Bottom Line
Whichever version of the GLA you opt to subscribe to, you’ll be making a good choice. If you anticipate doing a lot of miles the 200D may well be the best option, but if you’re subscribing as a business or principally make shorter trips around town the 250e is probably the sensible choice. Whichever you choose the beauty of subscription is that you can cancel, extend or even swap from one car to another from month to month. We also cover the cost of maintenance, road tax, MOT and replacements for worn tyres, to give you peace of mind when you subscribe. Use the buttons below to browse our full range of Mercedes vehicles, and subscribe to your GLA today.