2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic Bases at $34k with Standard 6.9s Sprint Time

 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

Base MSRP $33,300*

 

Exterior

color: Jupiter Red
wheels: 19-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels

$5,010

Options

Sport Package

  • Sport body styling
  • 19-inch twin 5-spoke AMG wheels
  • Perforated front brakes with painted calipers

$2,200

Panorama roof


$1,480

Bi-Xenon headlamps and LED taillamps


$850

Accessories

Exterior Appearance

Illuminated Star


$480

Interior

color: Ash Leather
trim: Anthracite

$1,700

Options

Interior Package

  • Leather upholstery
  • Sport front seats
  • Topstitched MB-Tex upper dash trim
  • Infrared-remote window opening/closing

$1,700

Entertainment & Convenience

$2,300

Key Standard Features

  • HD Radio™ receiver
  • Hands-free Bluetooth interface
  • Bluetooth audio streaming
  • 14-way power driver seat with memory
  • Split-folding rear seats
  • Power liftgate
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Ambient interior lighting

Options

Premium Package

  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Heated front seats
  • SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
  • Media Interface
  • Auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirrors
  • Integrated compass
  • Garage door opener

$2,300

Heated front seats

Included with package 

harman/kardon LOGIC7® sound system

Included with package 

Performance & Safety

Key Standard Features

  • 2.0L turbo Direct Injection 4-cylinder engine
  • 7-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission
  • ECO Start/Stop system
  • 4MATIC all-wheel drive
  • COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
  • ATTENTION ASSIST
  • Adaptive braking technology
  • Mercedes-Benz mbrace

Other Charges

Transportation Charge $925

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

Engine

Number of cylinders/arrangement   4/in-line, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement cc 1991
Bore x stroke mm 83.0 x 92.0
Rated power kW/hp 155/211 at 5500 rpm
Rated torque Nm 350 at 1200-4000 rpm
Compression ratio   9.8 : 1
Mixture formation   Electronically controlled direct petrol injection
with piezo injectors, turbocharger

Power transmission

Transmission   Dual clutch transmission
Gear ratios Axle drive 1Axle drive 21st gear

2nd gear

3rd gear

4th gear

5th gear

6th gear

7th gear

Reverse

4.6 (gears 1, 2, 4, 5 and R)2.65 (gears 3, 6, 7)3.86

2.43

2.67

1.05

0.78

1.05

0.84

3.38

Chassis and suspension

Front axle McPherson suspension with spring strut and wishbone, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser bar
Rear axle Four-link rear axle, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser bar
Braking system Vented front discs, solid rear discs, electric parking brake, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP®
Steering Electromechanical rack-and-pinion power steering
Wheels 7.5 J x 17
Tyres 215/60 R 17 V

Dimensions and weights

Wheelbase mm 2699
Track, front/rear mm 1569/1560
Overall length mm 4417
Overall width mm 1804
Overall height mm 1494
Turning circle m 11.8
Boot capacity max.* l 421-1235
Kerb weight acc. to EC kg 1455
Payload kg 485
Gross vehicle weight kg 1940
Tank capacity/incl. reserve of l 50/6

Performance and fuel consumption

Acceleration 0-100 km/h sec. 7.2
Top speed km/h 235
Fuel consumption comb. l/100 km 6.0 – 6.1
CO2 emissions g/km 141-143

 

*acc. to VDA measuring method
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC

Engine

Number of cylinders/arrangement   4/in-line, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement cc 1991
Bore x stroke mm 83.0 x 92.0
Rated power kW/hp 155/211 at 5500 rpm
Rated torque Nm 350 at 1200-4000 rpm
Compression ratio   9.8 : 1
Mixture formation   Electronically controlled direct petrol injection
with piezo injectors, turbocharger

Power transmission

Transmission   Dual clutch transmission
Gear ratios Axle drive 1Axle drive 21st gear

2nd gear

3rd gear

4th gear

5th gear

6th gear

7th gear

Reverse

4.6 (gears 1, 2, 4, 5 and R)2.65 (gears 3, 6, 7)3.86

2.43

2.67

1.05

0.78

1.05

0.84

3.38

Chassis and suspension

Front axle McPherson suspension with spring strut and wishbone, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser bar
Rear axle Four-link rear axle, coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers, stabiliser bar
Braking system Vented front discs, solid rear discs, electric parking brake, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP®
Steering Electromechanical rack-and-pinion power steering
Wheels 7.5 J x 17
Tyres 215/60 R 17 V

Dimensions and weights

Wheelbase mm 2699
Track, front/rear mm 1569/1560
Overall length mm 4417
Overall width mm 1804
Overall height mm 1494
Turning circle m 11.8
Boot capacity max.* l 421-1235
Kerb weight acc. to EC kg 1505
Payload kg 485
Gross vehicle weight kg 1949
Tank capacity/incl. reserve of l 56/6

Performance and fuel consumption

Acceleration 0-100 km/h sec. 7.1
Top speed km/h 230
Fuel consumption comb. l/100 km 6.5-6.6
CO2 emissions g/km 151-154

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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