The Mercedes-Benz GLA-class is the all new mini-SUV from Stuttgart that's built alongside the CLA-class and the global-market A-class hatch; the GLA250 4Matic is the entry-level version on the new two-model lineup. Designed to slide in beneath the GLK-class in Mercedes-Benz's North American showrooms, the GLA250 4Matic combines the interior space of a large five-door hatch with the off-road ability of a small SUV. Powered by an 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four shared with the CLA250, which is currently flying off store shelves faster than Mercedes-Benz can steam cargo ships to our shores, the GLA250 4Matic's engine produces 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to send it to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 130 mph. With a wheelbase of 106.3 inches and an overall length of 173.9 inches, the GLA250 4Matic is meant to combine the flexibility of a small wagon with the ground clearance of a softroader -- 8 inches in this case. As in larger offerings from Mercedes-Benz, comfort and interior flexibility are major priorities and the GLA250 makes the most of its interior and cargo room, offering a generous 38.3 inches of headroom. With the back seats in their upright and locked positions, the GLA250's cargo room measures 31.8 inches in length, though that grows to 54.9 inches with the rear seats folded down.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-class is the all new mini-SUV from Stuttgart that's built alongside the CLA-class and the global-market A-class hatch; the GLA250 4Matic is the entry-level version on the new two-model lineup. Designed to slide in beneath the GLK-class in Mercedes-Benz's North American showrooms, the GLA250 4Matic combines the interior space of a large five-door hatch with the off-road ability of a small SUV. Powered by an 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four shared with the CLA250, which is currently flying off store shelves faster than Mercedes-Benz can steam cargo ships to our shores, the GLA250 4Matic's engine produces 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to send it to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 130 mph. With a wheelbase of 106.3 inches and an overall length of 173.9 inches, the GLA250 4Matic is meant to combine the flexibility of a small wagon with the ground clearance of a softroader -- 8 inches in this case. As in larger offerings from Mercedes-Benz, comfort and interior flexibility are major priorities and the GLA250 makes the most of its interior and cargo room, offering a generous 38.3 inches of headroom. With the back seats in their upright and locked positions, the GLA250's cargo room measures 31.8 inches in length, though that grows to 54.9 inches with the rear seats folded down.

All in all, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC makes for a highly desirable compact SUV that incorporates luxuriousness for good measure, along with versatility and functionality. 鈥?or Forget it! I give the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC a Buy It! Engine Type and Size: 2.0-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder with Direct Injection. Transmission: 7-speed DCT automatic. Drive Train: Front engine / 4MATIC Variable All Wheel Drive. Suspension: Front - Sport MacPherson with spring strut and wishbone. Rear - Independent with wishbones and control arms. Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs, ABS, ESP and ASR. Tires: Continental ContiProContact 235/45 R19 95H M&S radial mounted on 5-geo-styled鈥漋鈥?spoke machined face with painted center alloy wheels. Curb Weight: 3,428 lbs. Turning Circle: 38.8 ft. Fuel Capacity: 14.8 gallons - with 1.6 gallon reserve. Drag Coefficient: Not listed. Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles as well.

Audi and now Mercedes-Benz seem to have settled onto a turbo I4/dual-clutch transmission formula for their entry-level models, and the GLA250 uses the same powertrain as the related Mercedes CLA250 sedan. If you don鈥檛 mind the herky-jerky starting and weird low-speed performance of that powertrain, you鈥檒l likely enjoy the GLA. I鈥檓 not a fan, and while I acknowledge the fuel economy and performance benefits of a good dual-clutch 鈥榖ox, the setup feels awkward in an entry-luxe crossover. 7,000 worth of interior add-ons, and the exterior styling is unlikely to make anyone swoon. The whole package just leaves me pretty flat, though to be fair, I鈥檓 the kind of buyer Mercedes would like to have moving through C-class and into E-class by now. I鈥檓 supposed to have outgrown the GLA at this point in my life, so I鈥檒l be interested to see the opinions of the younger punk kids on our staff.

February 15, 2019 鈥?A Mercedes panoramic sunroof class action lawsuit has been partially dismissed as the automaker failed in its motion to dismiss the entire complaint. The lawsuit includes all California consumers who purchased or leased Mercedes-Benz vehicles in California and who paid for the diagnosis or repair of the sunroofs or who have not had the sunroofs fully repaired. Plaintiff Giorgio Enea filed the proposed class action after his 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 sunroof allegedly exploded as he was driving to work. Enea says he was covered by falling shards of glass that went into his hair and eyes, leaving him unable to work for a few days. According to the lawsuit, a Mercedes-Benz dealer refused to repair the damage unless the plaintiff signed a release. The document allegedly would force the plaintiff to say Mercedes had no liability concerning the shattered sunroof, a request Enea declined. 2,000 to repair the panoramic sunroof.

Mercedes-AMG calls the GLA45 a compact SUV, but it鈥檚 really more of a compact luxury hatchback. Its corporate fraternal twin is the CLA compact luxury sedan. Changes to the rear are subtler. While the GLA45 keeps its quad exhaust tips, the mesh bumper insert has been replaced with a solid piece. Meanwhile, the diffuser no longer masquerades as a skid plate, shrinking in width such that it fits between the exhaust tips instead of surrounding them, and its fins are more aggressively drawn. 6300 AMG Performance Studio package. The GLA45 backs up its racy looks with its AMG-fettled engine. A hand-built 2.0-liter inline-four is juiced with a maximum of 26.1 psi of intercooled boost pressure from a twin-scroll turbocharger. Thanks to a new exhaust camshaft and a retuned ECU, output jumped from 355 to 375 horses and from 332 to 350 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can choose between letting the dual-clutch automatic transmission make the decisions while kicking through its seven gears automatically or selecting their own ratios via wheel-mounted paddle shifters that rev-match on downshifts.