2017 Mercedes GLA Facelift: First photo of the A-Class crossover’s update

The 2017 Mercedes GLA – Mercedes’ Crossover take on the A-Class – is getting a facelift, previewed by a single photo ahead of a Detroit debut.

It’s eighteen months since the Mercedes A-Class came in for a mid-life facelift, and half that time since the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake got similar updates. And now it’s the Mercedes GLA’s turn.

Mercedes are planning to reveal the facelift for the GLA Crossover at the Detroit Motor Show, and have started to herald its arrival with a single photo (above) on social media. But not much else.

What we can see from the photo is the usual facelift fodder of updated grille with new three-pointed star, new headlights and tweaks to the front bumper. Expect similar updated to be going on with lights and bumpers at the back.

Inside, the 2017 GLA will get updates to trim and materials as you’d expect on a facelift model, a new infotainment screen and additional connectivity like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Under the bonnet don’t expect much in the way of change, with the current crop of petrol and diesel engines, front and four-wheel drive options and 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT options continuing.

The 2017 Mercedes GLA could go on sale in the UK and Europe after its debut in Detroit, but much more likely is that it won’t arrive in Mercedes’ UK dealers until after its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.