When it comes down to it, Mercedes-Benz has traditionally been very, very conservative about entering new market segments. That is going out the door with new entrants like the GL-Class or the CLS Shooting Brake.

But in truth, a front-drive compact crossover is about as far from the Mercedes sweetspot as anything one can imagine — especially in the image-managed US market. We are not offered the nerdy and frumpy B-Class, nor the A-Class. We also generally receive the most-loaded models in every range. This is why the GLA-Class will be offered in Europe as the GLA200 and GLA220 CDI as well as the two flavors we will see: the GLA250 and GLA45 AMG.

So for the Benz star to be so brightly shining around this new mini SUV? That is quite a landmark shift, and one that will earn the brand an easy 40,000 extra units of US sales — at minimum.

To achieve this big volume target for an all-new segment and model, the GLA-Class will arrive in affordable flavors from a very do-able entry price of just $33,300.

The options packages are extremely tempting, especially the $3,000 Sport package with new bumper and wheel styles, as well as the HID/Xenon package for an extra $900. We highly, highly recommend the ‘Illuminated Star’ option for $500. It will be a popular conversation piece and unique road style element at night.

Many other features will quickly bump the price up to its max of about $46,000 — which is just below the base price of the GLA45 AMG.

Without a doubt, the GLA250 4Matic with its standard AWD and seven-speed DCT automatic is a far better value than the AMG model. The sprint pace of the 208-horsepower GLA250 is actually really respectable at 6.9-seconds to 60-mph. This is thanks to a big lump of turbo torque low in the rev range.

Inside, the MB-Tex is easy to admonish in the online configurator in favor of the $3000 leather upgrade — but few people will ever know that MB-Tex is not real leather. As a bonus, the MB-Tex stays cool in the sun and is extremely durable and easy to clean. We highly discourage the one-piece ‘Sport’ seats because the headrest is not adjustable and makes getting comfortable tricky on long drives. Stick with the standard chairs.

Overall, the GLA250 is poised to make a big, big splash for Mercedes USA when it arrives to showrooms here in late October.

Included below is a build-out of the new GLA250 with various options, along with the European technical specifications. In terms of US fuel economy, we predict a 25/32 tally — which is plenty for this peppy and stylish crossover.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic

Tom Burkart

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.

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