Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes has been doing extremely well with its CLA-Class entry-level premium car and while the A-Class hatch wasn't deemed fit for US service, the new GLA is making its way to American dealerships soon.
The GLA-Class is a small crossover, roughly the size of BMW's X1, and is based on the same modular MFA platform as the two other cars we mentioned above. Two versions are going to be available in showrooms this fall, both powered by 2-liter engines, though totally different in terms of the cusotmers they will attract
$33,330 gets you the GLA 250 4MATIC, which uses 208-hp to propel itself from 0 to 60mph in 7.1 seconds. Of course, that price doesn't include the $925 transportation charge, which brings the grand total to $34,225. It's a considerable increase over the $29,990 of the CLA-Class with the same engine, but we have to take into account the standard all-wheel drive offered by the crossover, which represents $2,000 of that difference.
Somewhere in the first quarter of 2015 (January to May), a cheaper GLA 250 with front-wheel drive and the same 2-liter engine will also go on sale, costing $31,300.
Most of the GLA sales will come from this version, but Mercedes also offers a more hardcore GLA 45 AMG. This produces 355-hp, sent out though a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic which using launch control can push the 60mph mark in 4.8 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
The GLA 45 AMG retails for $48,300, about the same as a basic M-Class SUV. It's a lot of money to spend on such a small vehicle, but the performance comparable to a Subaru STI and Mercedes build quality don't come cheap.
The GLA's biggest rival is another German crossover making its debut as a 2015 model year. The Audi Q3 is expected to hit dealerships soon, costing $32,500 with front-wheel drive or $34,600 with quattro. While on sale in Europe, the RS Q3 performance model will remain forbidden fruit for the time being.
$33,330 gets you the GLA 250 4MATIC, which uses 208-hp to propel itself from 0 to 60mph in 7.1 seconds. Of course, that price doesn't include the $925 transportation charge, which brings the grand total to $34,225. It's a considerable increase over the $29,990 of the CLA-Class with the same engine, but we have to take into account the standard all-wheel drive offered by the crossover, which represents $2,000 of that difference.
Somewhere in the first quarter of 2015 (January to May), a cheaper GLA 250 with front-wheel drive and the same 2-liter engine will also go on sale, costing $31,300.
Most of the GLA sales will come from this version, but Mercedes also offers a more hardcore GLA 45 AMG. This produces 355-hp, sent out though a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic which using launch control can push the 60mph mark in 4.8 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
The GLA 45 AMG retails for $48,300, about the same as a basic M-Class SUV. It's a lot of money to spend on such a small vehicle, but the performance comparable to a Subaru STI and Mercedes build quality don't come cheap.
The GLA's biggest rival is another German crossover making its debut as a 2015 model year. The Audi Q3 is expected to hit dealerships soon, costing $32,500 with front-wheel drive or $34,600 with quattro. While on sale in Europe, the RS Q3 performance model will remain forbidden fruit for the time being.
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