After having driven multiple Mercedes SUV/CUVs, we thought the 2021 Mercedes AMG GLA35 4MATIC would just be another one. We were clearly wrong with the GLA35. It seems like Mercedes has created different personalities with each of their SUVs and CUVs. It’s not the typical formula of just making a small one and then bigger versions. Even though it may look like that on paper, this personality is something that you can only experience or watch in a YouTube review.

When you approach the Patagonia Red colored GLA35, the paint will reveal the different shades as the sun hits it at different angles. This one is equipped with the AMG Night Package which adds some black accents to things like the front grille, mirrors, and the window frame. The red and black combination is always welcomed in my book. To add more black to the color scheme are the unique looking 19” AMG 10-spoke wheel.

Getting inside the GLA35, you’re greeted with typical Mercedes design. This would be the only thing that feels copied and pasted across the Mercedes lineup. It’s actually not a bad thing as the brushed aluminum and carbon fiber accents work extremely well. Our press GLA35 did come equipped with the AMG Performance steering wheel with Nappa leather with the AMG drive buttons within thumbs reach.

Under the hood is where the AMG GLA35 performed really well. The “AMG-Enhanced” 2.0L delivers 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. In today’s standards that may sound like low number but it’s feels significantly more or the 4MATIC drivetrain is efficient to make it feel like more power. At first, the car felt as if it was getting away from me. I was expecting the somewhat tame power that the GLB’s base 2.0L delivered. The AMG enhancement really wakes up the platform.

Overall, the 2021 Mercedes AMG GLA35 4MATIC is a top contender for us as a sporty luxury CUV. After shopping the Mercedes website, there are some options we’d tweak compared to how the press car was equipped.