Mercedes-Benz GLA Nightfall & More

By Lee Pang Seng

MERCEDES-Benz covers all the bases in the Malaysian SUV (sport utility vehicle) market with the entry-level GLA to the flagship GLE range. It organises regular media drives involving its range of SUVs, often to highlight an update for one or two of the models made available here.

A recent SUV drive involved a drive to Cameron Highlands in April, during which we were given the freedom to choose our routes to the Cameron Highlands Resort from Bamboo Hills, KL. We could go via the Tapah route, the Simpang Pulai detour or the Bentong course. The reminder was to maintain legal speed limits.

This was to introduce the GLA Nightfall Edition and add some zest to the entry-level range. We have had some exciting drive experiences over the past year with the GLA 35 and GLA 45, which were AMG editions that literally tore up the road from the traffic lights. The GLA Nightfall Edition is a lot calmer version targeted at young customers who merely wish to enjoy the pleasure of driving a premium class SUV.

Being sporty remains the underlying attraction and Mercedes says the sporty proportions are highlighted by the Night Package with high gloss black accents, AMG Line exterior and new sporty wheels – 19-inch AMG five-twin spoke light alloy units for the GLA 200 Nightfall Edition and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels for the GLA 250 4MATIC Nightfall Edition.

The high gloss black elements extend from the radiator grille to the wheels to enhance the bold new look. Adding to the GLA’s allure are the sports brake system and lowered comfort suspension. The GLA 250 comes with the Multibeam LED (light emitting diode) featuring adaptive LED headlamps with intelligent light modes, active light function, Ultra Range high beam and high beam assistant.

Inside, the GLA Nightfall Editions features an AMG Line interior, black fabric roof liner and a multifunction sports steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather. To reflect the Nightfall Edition’s distinctive character, Mercedes says the vehicle is upholstered in Artico man-made leather with microcut fibre in black with contrasting top stitching. This is complemented by sports seats with grey seat belts and light longitudinal-grain aluminium trim.

The power units are continued little changed with the GLA 200 having a 1332cc turbocharged engine that delivers 120kW (163hp) at 5500rpm and 270Nm from 2000rpm to 3500rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in a reasonably quick 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 210km/h.

The GLA 250 remains a mild hybrid with a 1991cc engine that churns out 165kW (224hp) from 5500 to 6100rpm and 350Nm from 2000 to 4000rpm. It is supplemented by a small electric motor that delivers 10kW and 150Nm of torque, that adds up to a high combined output. Thus, it is faster in 0-100km/h at 6.8 seconds and a higher top speed of 240km/h.

Naturally, updated vehicles also come with new prices and the GLA 200 Nightfall Edition now goes for RM258,888 on the road without insurance (but with 10-per cent sales tax) and the GLA 250 4Matic Nightfall Edition RM295,888. Both are locally put together at the Pekan assembly facility.

Cameron Highlands Drive

We started out with the ‘baby’ of the range, this being the GLA 200. With a 1570kg kerb weight, the GLA 200 carries quite a bit of weight, keeping us down to earth on our expectations with its performance. And that was quite a downer having revelled in the speedy performance of the AMG variants not too long ago.

This came soon enough when we kicked down on the accelerator to pass slower traffic on the highway. The power build-up was almost linear for the initial part but once the turbo was on song, we had to ease off the accelerator to avoid driving any faster than was necessary. Like a true German car, the GLA is geared for high-speed autobahn driving and we could ‘fly’ along if we wanted to be caught by the traffic cameras.

As we puttered along at legal speeds, the 1.4-litre engine was hardly stressed turning around 2000rpm or lower. That also saw a slower drop of the fuel gauge, which was indicated by bars at the bottom of the speedometer. The GLA 200 was as comfortable cruising along as was expected. We appreciated the extendable thigh support for the front seats as it made the long-distance drive less tiring on the thighs.

We had a fair idea of its handling dynamics when we took to the Simpang Pulai stretch to Cameron Highlands. We didn’t quite push it but if we did, the GLA 200 wouldn’t disappoint. As it were, it took to the winding stretches with easy confidence and hardly any body roll. The electric power steering might not give the best of directional input but it gave enough feedback to take the successive corners fairly quickly.

The lowered comfort suspension system sees a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear. As an SUV for general motoring, the suspension damping is tuned accordingly, with road impacts over bumps, dips, rumbling strips and speedbumps being on the comfortable side to make ride appreciable. The GLA 200 comes with a 7-G DCT (dual clutch transmission).

The return drive saw us move to the other end of the Mercedes-Benz SUV spectrum, this being the GLE 400e 4Matic flagship. This model was launched in December 2025 and features Mercedes’ EQ Hybrid Technology, becoming the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) GLE to be introduced in the Malaysian market.

It is equipped with a permanently synchronous 100kWh battery and the electric motor output is rated at 115kW and 440Nm. The turbocharged 2.0-litre (1999cc) delivers 185kW (252hp) at 5800rpm and 400Nm from 2000 to 3200rpm. The combined output is rated at 280kW (381hp) and 650nm.

It has a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Mercedes says the GLE 400e accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in a reasonably quick 6.1 seconds for a vehicle that tips the scale at 2685kg (kerb). Its top speed is 210km/h. It is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang and has an on-the-road price of RM498,888 without insurance.

Our expectations of a less exciting drive along the winding Tapah stretch were soon dispelled when we hit the twisty sections. For an SUV of its dimensions and weight, there was sufficient combined electric and engine power to move quickly when we put our foot down on the accelerator to pass slower vehicles.

And if we had expected the GLE 400e to roll noticeably when taking corners, again because of its taller stance and high weight, we were again surprised at how ‘level-headed’ it was. The body roll when it was pushed through the corners was hardly felt and the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system kept the GLE 400e true to its chosen line.

We felt the electric power steering gave us enough directional feedback to push the GLE 400e quite quickly through the respective corners. The independently sprung suspension with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear was well tuned to provide strong dynamic handling qualities while providing a comfortable ride over the varying and uneven road surfaces. The Pirelli P Zero tyres on the 21-inch five-twin spoke alloy wheels played their part with good grip performance too.

With the clear sections along the sinuous route, we could believe we were driving a more compact SUV with its agile manners and good handling dynamics. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive, and because we were doing a lot of braking and deceleration, the regenerative part of the hybrid system kept the battery on the high side to power the electric motor.

The GLE 400e 4MATIC might be more at home at a less robust pace taking passengers at a comfortable and leisurely manner, but it couldn’t be denied that if someone wants to enjoy a dynamic drive through winding roads, the GLE 400e would readily oblige.