Best Mercedes-Benz GLA Model Years (Ranked) in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Direct answer
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247) is the best GLA model year: NHTSA lists only 2 complaints, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $29,300 to $31,300. The second generation (H247, 2021 onward) is the best overall, taking four of the top five spots; the 2020 (X156) is the best value at 11 complaints and from $17,650.
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $41,200 for the GLA 250 (sticker $44,150) up to $43,000 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (sticker $46,150); KBB lists new-car prices for the 2025
Buyers who want the newest GLA here, with a 360-degree camera standard
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,750 for the GLA 250 (originally $35,285) up to $12,900 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $36,825)
Buyers who want the lowest price here, from $11,750
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Newest
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Best value
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Cheapest
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
The ranking
1
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Photo: Retired electrician / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fewest complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $29,300 for the GLA 250 (originally $42,900) up to $31,300 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $44,900)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2024 GLA, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 2 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2024 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021-2025 GLA pages, from only 5 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 221 hp and 27-28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2024 GLA is a second-generation H247 and the one owners complain about least: NHTSA lists 2 complaints. Its recall count could not be confirmed. KBB gives 221 hp and 27-28 combined mpg, and Fair Purchase Prices run from $29,300 for the GLA 250 to $31,300 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. A low complaint count partly reflects less time on the road.
Go ifBuyers who want the fewest NHTSA complaints and a refreshed second-generation GLA
Skip ifYou want to spend under $25,000
Why #1 over #2: It lists 2 complaints versus 4 for the 2025, and costs from $29,300 versus $41,200.
2
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest GLA, with a recall to check.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $41,200 for the GLA 250 (sticker $44,150) up to $43,000 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (sticker $46,150); KBB lists new-car prices for the 2025NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed by NHTSA for the 2025 GLA 250 and AMG GLA 35 (the same door-lock campaign)NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 GLA (unique ODI numbers across its GLA 250 and AMG GLA 35 listings)Owner reliability: KBB shows 5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021-2025 GLA pages, from only 5 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 221 hp and 28-29 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2025 GLA is the newest on the list: NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 1 recall campaign, a door-lock campaign shared by the GLA 250 and AMG GLA 35. KBB gives 221 hp and 28-29 combined mpg, and shows new-car Fair Purchase Prices from $41,200 for the GLA 250 to $43,000 for the GLA 250 4MATIC.
Go ifBuyers who want the newest GLA here, with a 360-degree camera standard
Skip ifYou want a used price under $30,000
Why #2 over #3: It lists 4 complaints versus 5 for the 2022, though the 2022 costs from $22,100 versus $41,200.
3
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest of the top three.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $22,100 for the GLA 250 (originally $42,100) up to $23,800 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $42,650)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaign listed by NHTSA for the 2022 GLA 250 4MATIC (a door-lock campaign); the GLA-CLASS recall count could not be confirmed, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 5 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 GLA (unique ODI numbers across its GLA-CLASS and GLA 250 4MATIC listings)Owner reliability: KBB shows 5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021-2025 GLA pages, from only 5 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 221 hp and 26-28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2022 GLA is a second-generation H247 from $22,100 for the GLA 250 to $23,800 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 1 recall campaign for the GLA 250 4MATIC, a door-lock campaign; the GLA-CLASS recall count could not be confirmed. KBB gives 221 hp and 26-28 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a second-generation GLA from $22,100
Skip ifYou want a model with a confirmed clean recall record
Why #3 over #4: It lists 5 complaints versus 8 for the 2023 and costs from $22,100 versus $24,100.
4
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)
Photo: Harvey Bold / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictAn H247 for under $25,000.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $24,100 for the GLA 250 (originally $41,445) up to $26,500 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $41,995)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2023 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 8 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021-2025 GLA pages, from only 5 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 221 hp and 26-28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2023 GLA is an H247 from $24,100 for the GLA 250 to $26,500 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 8 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 221 hp and 26-28 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a second-generation GLA from $24,100
Skip ifYou want to spend under $20,000
Why #4 over #5: It lists 8 complaints versus 11 for the 2020, though the 2020 starts lower, at $17,650 versus $24,100.
5
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Photo: Throwawayacc222 / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best first-generation GLA.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $17,650 for the GLA 250 (originally $40,195) up to $18,250 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $40,545)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2020 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 11 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2020 GLA pages, from 38 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 208 hp and 26-28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2020 GLA is the last first-generation X156 and the best value: from $17,650 for the GLA 250 to $18,250 for the GLA 250 4MATIC, against an original $40,195. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 208 hp and 26-28 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last first-generation GLA from $17,650
Skip ifYou want the newer interior and screens
Why #5 over #6: It lists 11 complaints versus 23 for the 2021, at $17,650 versus $20,800.
Answrs VerdictThe first H247, with more complaints than later years.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,800 for the GLA 250 (originally $42,320) up to $21,500 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $42,870)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2021 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 23 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2021-2025 GLA pages, from only 5 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 221 hp and 27-28 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2021 GLA is the first H247, from $20,800 for the GLA 250 to $21,500 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 23 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 221 hp and 27-28 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first second-generation GLA from $20,800
Skip ifYou want fewer than 23 complaints
Why #6 over #7: It lists 23 complaints versus 30 for the 2019, though the 2019 starts lower, at $14,850 versus $20,800.
7
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA cheap X156 with 30 complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,850 for the GLA 250 (originally $39,245) up to $16,150 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $39,595)NHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2019 AMG GLA45 (both software); the GLA-CLASS recall count could not be confirmed, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 30 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 GLA (unique ODI numbers across its GLA-CLASS and AMG GLA45 listings)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2020 GLA pages, from 38 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2019 GLA is an X156 from $14,850 for the GLA 250 to $16,150 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 30 complaints and 2 software recall campaigns for the AMG GLA45; the GLA-CLASS recall count could not be confirmed. KBB gives 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a first-generation GLA from $14,850
Skip ifYou want fewer than 30 complaints
Why #7 over #8: It lists 30 complaints versus 35 for the 2017, at $14,850 versus $12,350.
8
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Photo: OSX / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA budget X156.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,350 for the GLA 250 (originally $35,635) up to $13,350 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $37,175)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2017 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 35 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2020 GLA pages, from 38 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2017 GLA is an X156 from $12,350 for the GLA 250 to $13,350 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 35 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a first-generation GLA from $12,350
Skip ifYou want fewer than 35 complaints
Why #8 over #9: It lists 35 complaints versus 52 for the 2018, at $12,350 versus $14,750.
9
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictPriced like the 2019 with more complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,750 for the GLA 250 (originally $35,795) up to $15,700 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $37,795)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2018 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 52 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2020 GLA pages, from 38 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2018 GLA is an X156 from $14,750 for the GLA 250 to $15,700 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 52 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 208 hp and 26-27 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a first-generation GLA from $14,750
Skip ifYou want few NHTSA complaints
Why #9 over #10: It lists 52 complaints versus 53 for the 2016, though the 2016 starts lower, at $11,750 versus $14,750.
10
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)
Photo: M 93 / CC BY-SA 3.0 de via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest and most complained about.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,750 for the GLA 250 (originally $35,285) up to $12,900 for the GLA 250 4MATIC (originally $36,825)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2016 GLA-CLASS, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 53 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GLA (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2020 GLA pages, from 38 consumer reviews (one score shared by those five model years)Power and economy: 208 hp and 27-29 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2016 GLA is the cheapest pick here, from $11,750 for the GLA 250 to $12,900 for the GLA 250 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 53 complaints, the most on the list, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 208 hp and 27-29 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the lowest price here, from $11,750
Skip ifYou want few NHTSA complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked ten model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, 2016 to 2025: NHTSA owner complaint counts first, then recall campaigns, then Kelley Blue Book owner reliability ratings, with prices from KBB. The GLA has two generations. The X156 first generation, revealed in 2013, covers the 2016-2020 model years, and the H247 second generation covers 2021 onward (KBB calls them the 1st and 2nd generation). The GLA has fewer US model years than the GLE, so we ranked model years and not separate trims; KBB prices only the GLA 250 and GLA 250 4MATIC, and the AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45 appear only through NHTSA records (an AMG GLA45 listing for 2019 and an AMG GLA 35 listing for 2025). The 2015 model year could not be confirmed on KBB and is left out. The H247 is best overall here, taking four of the top five spots, while the X156 is the cheaper choice. KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its X156 pages, from 38 consumer reviews, against 5 out of 5 for the H247 from only 5 consumer reviews; each KBB score is shared across the five model years on its pages, not a per-year rating, and the H247 sample is small. The NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for most years, so those recall counts could not be confirmed; we ranked those years on complaints only and gave them no credit for an unknown recall count. Complaint counts are unique ODI numbers and recall counts are unique campaign numbers across the model names NHTSA uses (GLA-CLASS, GLA, GLA 250, AMG GLA45, AMG GLA 35). Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so mileage matters as much as year. KBB lists 2025 at new-car Fair Purchase Prices, and prices change weekly. The photos show the right generation, not necessarily the exact model year, and KBB notes a midcycle refresh for 2024. For other models see our Mercedes-Benz GLE model years at /cars/best-mercedes-benz-gle-model-years-2027/ and our best luxury SUVs under $60,000 at /cars/best-luxury-suvs-under-60-000-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What are the GLA generations?
The GLA has had two generations: the X156 first generation, revealed in 2013, and the H247 second generation. KBB treats the 2016-2020 model years as the 1st-generation GLA and 2021 onward as the 2nd generation, and the H247 is larger inside, with 116 mm more headroom.
Which GLA generation is best overall?
The second generation (H247, 2021 onward) is best overall here: the 2024, 2025, 2022 and 2023 take the top four spots on complaints, with 2, 4, 5 and 8 complaints. The first generation (X156) is the value pick, with the 2020 from $17,650 at 11 complaints.
What is the best Mercedes-Benz GLA model year to buy used?
By NHTSA data, the 2024 GLA, with 2 complaints and KBB Fair Purchase Prices from $29,300. The best value is the 2020, from $17,650 with 11 complaints.
Why only ten model years, and what about GLA 250 versus AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45?
The GLA has sold in the US for fewer years than the GLE, so we ranked the ten model years from 2016 to 2025 that KBB lists with prices; the 2015 model year could not be confirmed on KBB. KBB prices only the GLA 250 and GLA 250 4MATIC for these years, so we did not rank the AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45 as separate trims; NHTSA lists AMG GLA45 recalls for 2019 and an AMG GLA 35 recall for 2025, which we include in those years.
Lowest KBB Fair Purchase Price on the cited page (USD) at a glance
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)$11,750
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)$12,350
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)$14,750
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)$14,850
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156)$17,650
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)$20,800
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)$22,100
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)$24,100
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)$29,300
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247)$41,200
Lowest KBB Fair Purchase Price on the cited page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
