carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,160–$40,625 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.0/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Reliability at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.3/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,160–$40,625, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz GLA sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and performance and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,160 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 14%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the GLA model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $42,230 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $42,230 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $41,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $39,770 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $38,540 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $37,310 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $36,080 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $34,850 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $33,620 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $32,390 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $31,160 | |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $29,930 | Read review → |
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
