How safe is the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD?
Drivers of the 2017–2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD died at a rate of 20 per million registered vehicle years, 43% lower than the average of 38 for all vehicles. That makes it safer than most vehicles for its driver: it ranks 44th of 127 vehicles, safer than 66% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
This is the most recent IIHS data for this model, covering 2017–2020 models. It doesn't appear in the newer 2023 study, often because it was redesigned or discontinued.
Where the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD sits among all 127 vehicles
Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 38
The rate is based on a moderate amount of data, so treat small differences from nearby vehicles with caution.
Vehicles ranked near the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Chrysler Pacifica 2WDWagon / minivan · Very large | 20 | 68 |
| 42 | Tesla Model 3Luxury car · Midsize | 20 | 67 |
| 43 | Toyota RAV4 hybrid 4WDSUV · Small | 20 | 67 |
| 44 | Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WDLuxury SUV · Small | 20 | 66 |
| 45 | Ford F-250 SuperCab 4WDPickup · Very large | 22 | 65 |
| 46 | Volkswagen Atlas 4WDSUV · Midsize | 20 | 63 |
| 47 | Chevrolet Colorado Crew CabPickup · Small | 23 | 63 |
How it compares with other luxury SUVs
Among the 15 luxury SUVs ranked, the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD is 12th. The safest luxury SUVs are below. See all luxury SUVs.
| Luxury SUVs rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi Q5 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 2 | 100 |
| 2 | Volvo XC90 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 4 | 98 |
| 3 | BMW X3 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 0 | 94 |
| 4 | Volvo XC60 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 5 | 94 |
| 5 | Lexus RX 350Luxury SUV · Midsize | 6 | 93 |
| 12 | Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WDLuxury SUV · Small | 20 | 66 |
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD is safer than most vehicles for its driver. Its driver death rate of 20 per million registered vehicle years is 43% lower than the average, and it ranks 44th of 127 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD compare with other luxury SUVs?
It ranks 12th of 15 luxury SUVs. The safest is the Audi Q5 4WD, with a rate of 2.
Why is this different from the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class 4WD's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.