Outside, the generation change brings about curvier body lines, which are accentuated by the blacked-out sporty elements and chrome inserts on the bumpers as well as the all-LED lighting. The cabin gets a thorough re-design in line with Volkswagen’s current interior design language and features a layered design, soft-touch materials and a bevy of tech upgrades. A 15-inch central touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver’s cluster, head-up display, front sports seats with massage function, triple-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof are just some of the highlights.

The Tiguan R-Line is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to Volkswagen’s 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The engine is an updated ‘EVO’ unit and now produces 204PS and 320Nm, which is a 14PS jump in the power output. Multiple drive modes are available to match different driving conditions. The SUV also boasts a 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating and an enhanced active and passive safety suite, which includes nine airbags and a Level-2 ADAS system. It can also park itself courtesy of its advanced parking assistance system. At its price point, the Tiguan R-Line will compete with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

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The GLA is offered in two variants in India – the Progressive Line and the AMG Line. We are driving the latter. At the front, it gets a new bumper design with faux air dams. The AMG Line gets a body-coloured front apron, adding a sporty look. The pin chrome AMG Line grille further adds to the visual drama and complements the refreshed headlamps that now feature DRL eyebrows.

The side profile remains unchanged. The higher roofline gives it a better road presence than the first-gen GLA, something that appeals to Indian buyers. Our review unit gets 19-inch alloys with AMG centre caps and chunky rubber, nestled in squared-off wheel arches that add more muscle. At the rear, the GLA gets the same bumper design with faux air dams, exhaust tips, and a diffuser that continues the sporty theme. What has changed, though, is the redesigned tail lamps that make the SUV feel wider.

The interiors receive a mild refresh as well. It gets a new AMG Line flat-bottom steering wheel featuring touch-sensitive buttons similar to other Mercedes-Benz AMG Line cars. It’s quite comfortable to hold and the buttons are easy to operate as well. The dual-screen setup comprises a fully digital instrument cluster, which can be configured with multiple theme options, including a navigation theme that shows the map across the entire display. The infotainment screen is a touchscreen unit with the latest MBUX software and is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It gets a wireless charger in the centre console in addition to five USB Type-C ports split between the front and rear passengers. The 10.25-inch infotainment system gets inbuilt navigation along with voice recognition and a zero-layer learning feature. The GLA learns which features you use the most and changes the layout so the most-used functions are at the tap of a button, eliminating multiple layers of input from the user. The addition of a mobile gaming console in the infotainment unit is a great way to spend time and the Match 3 game even has a G-Wagen as a superpower, to bulldoze an entire grid — a Mercedes-Benz-themed Candy Crush? Yes, please.

The tech department has been enhanced further by a digital key handover and Mercedes-Benz’s Parktronic function, which uses the cameras mounted on the outside rearview mirrors to scan for empty parking spots on either side of the SUV. Once it finds a suitable spot, it will ask you to activate the function. Press the Parktronic button placed in the centre console, which earlier featured the touchpad to control the infotainment screen and has been replaced. The car then takes over the controls from you, prompting you to keep your foot close to the brake in case of an emergency. But overall, the GLA will indicate, change gears, steer, and even accelerate and brake for you to park the car in the determined spot without any drama. 

The GLA also gets safety features like a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and more.

The AMG-Line features a Microfiber black upholstery, which imitates the Alcantara-like feel to further continue the sporty theme on the inside. The wooden trim panels have been replaced with a carbon structure trim and the configurable ambient lighting makes the cabin feel futuristic and premium. The GLA also sports a panoramic sunroof that is divided into two for the front and rear passengers, making the cabin feel airy. The seats are comfortable and well-bolstered. These get kinetic seats function but miss out on the ventilated seats feature. 

The GLA facelift retains the same powertrain options- 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged-petrol with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 190PS and 400Nm of torque paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. We are driving the latter. The powertrain is refined and ensures smooth power delivery from the get-go. Switch to Sport, and the throttle becomes sharper with aggressive gear changes. There is no delay in shifts from the dual-clutch gearbox, which ensures you are always in the meat of the powerband, resulting in linear acceleration until the redline. Launching it from nought has no drama whatsoever with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive efficiently putting the torque onto the tarmac, which also helps it grip, tons of grip! Switch to Comfort, and the steering wheel becomes lighter with laid-back gear shifts. Switching it into Eco, the throttle eases out to maximise fuel efficiency with a stark difference from the Sport mode.

 The chassis is stiff to complement the performance and the suspension firms up in Sport mode with body roll kept in check. The steering is direct with precise control and ample feedback. I would have liked some more feedback personally. Driving it with a heavy foot is easy thanks to the brakes that complement the performance with enough stopping power, a good bite, and short travel. 

The second-generation GLA brought in more premiumness and space into the equation, almost feeling a class above its predecessor. The new facelift helps accentuate that feeling by adding in more tech, something first-time buyers will appreciate. The GLA has been priced at Rs 50.50 lakh, which is a little over Rs 2 lakh premium over its predecessor. This seems justified given the number of features that have been included as standard in the facelift. As it stands the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA comes across as an accomplished SUV. 

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