<p>Mercedes-Benz Cars are releasing a refreshed version of its compact SUV the GLA Class onto the New Zealand market, and at the same time it is also releasing a commercial variant of its luxury G-Wagen off-roader.</p> <p>The competition in the premium compact SUV segment is heating up with new entrants arriving from Audi, BMW and Mini.<br />Therefore, Mercedes-Benz knows it has to keep its offer fresh and exciting, and it is specifically targeting a younger audience in it&rsquo;s above the line advertising campaigns for the 2017 GLA Class.</p> <p>There are four models in the range with retail prices ranging from $60,900 for the GLA 180 to $109,700 for the AMG GLA 45 4Matic.<br />Auto Media Group had a brief snow drive in the all-wheel-drive 2-litre GLA 250 4Matic ($80,000) in the hills around Lake Coleridge in Canterbury last week as well as a road drive to and from Christchurch in the front-wheel-drive 2.2-litre turbodiesel GLA 220 d ($67,900) and came away impressed with each variant.</p> <p>The build quality and refinement of both vehicles will more than meet the expectations of the market, and the ability of the GLA 250 4Matic to climb a snow covered hill on standard road tyres without the aid of chains was equally impressive.<br />For the 2017 model year, the GLA Class has a new front grille treatment, revised headlamps, and a more rugged looked lower front valance which Mercedes-Benz says gives it more powerful off-road appearance.</p> <p>Front fog lamps are now available as an option on all GLA Class models excluding the A 45 AMG 4Matic variant.<br />At the rear, the GLA Class has revised tail lamp design as well as a redesigned integrated underride guard in the lower bumper valance.<br />In the cabin, there is a new instrument cluster, more chrome highlights on the centre console and seat adjustment switches and a new eight inch central TFT display with thinner bonded edging.</p> <p>Optional packages include the Keyless-Go Comfort package, the Vision package, the WhiteArt Edition or the Yellow Night Edition which allows GLA Class buyers to personalise a vehicle to their tastes, needs, and budget.</p> <p>In keeping up with the growing global market demand for SUVs Mercedes-Benz Cars now offers seven model lines which include the GLA, GLC, GLC coupe, GLE, GLE coupe, GLS, and the military-derived G-Wagen.</p> <p>It is also introducing for the first time to New Zealand buyers, the two-seat single-cab/chassis G-Professional G 300 CDI 4&times;4 for applications in forest fire management, electricity networks, parks and recreation, and defence, priced from $129,000.</p>