2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 Debut

What's New

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 crossover looks to lure a younger demographic interested in entry-level luxury, to the Mercedes brand. Making its North American debut at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class applies much of the same architecture, style, and inspiration as the newly introduced CLA250 sedan. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of 208 horsepower, the GLA will initially launch with Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic all-wheel drive system first, before being complemented by the front-wheel drive models later. Like its CLA250 sedan sibling, the GLA250 will be aggressively priced, and will likely start in the low $30,000 price range, with popularly equipped models going for around $37k-38k. While a European launch is expected in Spring 2014, we'll likely see the GLA250 arrive in fall.

Who It's For

While Mercedes holds a slim luxury lead over its German counterparts in the U.S., the competition is quickly gaining, and it's younger, affluent customers looking to enter the luxury market that are spurring them. The 2015 Mercedes GLA-Class looks to rectify that, as does the CLA250 sedan. Accessibly priced, these vehicles are about style, and offer buyers an alternative to well-equipped models from non-luxury brands. The 2015 GLA250 will offer buyers looking at crossovers a chance to consider Mercedes-Benz, whereas the pricier GLK-Class may have been just out of reach.

Key Features

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 adds distinct style to the entry-level luxury crossover market, and gives the automaker another model to lure a younger demographic.

• Styling, the GLA250 looks fresh, deviates from some of Mercedes-Benz's more classically-stlyed models.
• 208 hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine.
• AWD, will debut in U.S. with 4Matic
• Interior similar to CLA250, worthy of Mercedes-Benz image
• Crossover. Like the CLA250 and want more room and functionality? This is it.

What We Think

Mercedes may have arrived a little later to the entry-level luxury game, but it's certainly making up for it with models like the 2015 GLA250. Lured by the hopes of attracting a younger demographic, Mercedes has begun a product offensive that will see more accessibly priced models such as the GLA-Class. While the Stuttgart automaker was initially concerned about lowered perceptions of the Mercedes brand with these more accessible models, the CLA250, which we recently got to test, proved that-- if done right--the market and potential could be huge. As the crossover market is burgeoning here in America, we think the GLA250 will be a huge hit, the same as the CLA250.

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