Stop us if you've heard this before: Americans don't buy hatchbacks or wagons - we buy SUVs. So if you're a foreign automaker looking to expand your model lineup without spending a ton of dough, what are you to do? If you're Mercedes, you start with your Euro-spec A-Class hatchback, stretch it out a bit, give it 7.1 inches of ground clearance, some pseudo body cladding, and call it the new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover. While not all will be convinced that the pocket-sized 2015 GLA250 4Matic or the pocket rocket GLA45 AMG are SUVs, a few days driving both GLAs on- and off-road has me sold. A companion piece of sorts to the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan that launched last year, the GLA-Class is designed to broaden Mercedes' appeal among younger generations - you know, those damn smartphone-touting, Snapchatting millennials about whom baby boomers love to moan. Unlike the CLA, which only has a handful of attractive angles, the GLA is a proper looker, especially in GLA45 form with the black-painted (and optional) front apron and rear spoiler.

Stop us if you've heard this before: Americans don't buy hatchbacks or wagons - we buy SUVs. So if you're a foreign automaker looking to expand your model lineup without spending a ton of dough, what are you to do? If you're Mercedes, you start with your Euro-spec A-Class hatchback, stretch it out a bit, give it 7.1 inches of ground clearance, some pseudo body cladding, and call it the new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover. While not all will be convinced that the pocket-sized 2015 GLA250 4Matic or the pocket rocket GLA45 AMG are SUVs, a few days driving both GLAs on- and off-road has me sold. A companion piece of sorts to the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan that launched last year, the GLA-Class is designed to broaden Mercedes' appeal among younger generations - you know, those damn smartphone-touting, Snapchatting millennials about whom baby boomers love to moan. Unlike the CLA, which only has a handful of attractive angles, the GLA is a proper looker, especially in GLA45 form with the black-painted (and optional) front apron and rear spoiler.

Like the CLA, the front-drive-based GLA is powered by a choice of two turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The GLA250 4Matic - which will be joined by a front-drive version early next year - gets a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 making 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The GLA45 AMG gets a hand-built 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 making an incredible 355 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission. The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a 2015 Motor Trend SUV of the Year contender - find out whether the luxury crossover has what it takes to win later this month. Even in base GLA250 trim, the GLA is quite the performer. A true driver's CUV, the GLA250 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, and it'll go through the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds at 89.8 mph. Stopping from 60 mph takes just 110 feet. While the GLA250's straight-line speed isn't exactly blistering, it completed our figure eight in a not-too-shabby 27 seconds flat at 0.66 g average. Not surprisingly given the extra oomph on tap, the GLA45 AMG is quicker still (view 30 photos of the GLA45 on the second page of this review). With a launch control-assisted start, the GLA45 AMG rockets to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and finishes the quarter mile in a Porsche Macan Turbo-beating 12.8 seconds at 107.9 mph. The GLA45 also sticks with the Macan Turbo through the figure eight, zipping around in just 25 seconds at a 0.78 g average. Coming to a stop from 60 mph takes just 103 feet.

The high-performance AMG GLA 45 comes standard with all-wheel drive and includes the GLA250's standard features plus a more powerful engine, sport exhaust, unique 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension and steering and upgraded brakes. Also standard are xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, the power passenger seat, MB-Tex/simulated-suede upholstery, and styling tweaks that include a more aggressive front fascia, flared wheel arches and quad tailpipes. Options largely mirror those of the GLA250 but also include 20-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats, an upgraded steering wheel, a large rear spoiler and a performance exhaust. The GLA 45 can be ordered with any of the above packages, except for Sport or Night. The GLA 45's unique Dynamic Plus package adds adaptive suspension dampers, a limited-slip front differential, a Race driving mode and a higher top speed. A carbon-fiber exterior trim package, Aerodynamics package and AMG Dinamica package add performance and aesthetic appeal. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque matched to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission (with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles).

In Edmunds track testing, the GLA250 4Matic outdid Mercedes' estimated 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds by hitting the milestone in 6.8 seconds, a good showing for this segment. The AMG GLA 45 pumps out an outstanding 375 hp and 350 lb-ft from the same 2.0-liter engine. A quicker-shifting version of the seven-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels. The AMG GLA 45 also features a three-mode stability control system that allows drivers to tailor the level of intervention and offers available launch control. Mercedes says the GLA 45 can rocket from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Both the GLA250 and the AMG GLA 45 feature an automatic stop-start function that, if engaged, turns off the engine when the car stops to save fuel. Fuel economy figures are quite good: the front-wheel-drive GLA250 achieves 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway), while the GLA250 4Matic earns 26 mpg combined (23 city/31 highway). The high-octane AMG GLA 45 isn鈥檛 much worse at 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).

Navigation is optional, as is Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and onboard Wi-Fi. A small rotary knob on the center console controls the infotainment system, but there are still a few menus that can cause frustration. One example is that you must unplug your Apple CarPlay- or Android Auto-enabled phone to access the built-in navigation. Connecting with Bluetooth is easy, and audio quality for both phone calls and streaming music is very good. The GLA250's rear cargo area is one of the smallest in the segment. If carting bulky items is part of your daily routine, be sure to do a test run to ensure your items will stow. No crash-test results are available for the GLA-class from U.S. Mercedes-Benz does offer a comprehensive list of standard safety gear. Driver-assistance technologies are available, but mainly as pricey options that drive up the bottom line. The 2019 GLA250 features a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty with trip-interruption protection and roadside assistance. Both BMW and Lexus offer the same coverage, but Lexus adds a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty to the mix. No manufacturer in the class tops BMW's three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage.