With the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA arriving late next year, the least expensive crossover the automaker currently makes will be moving up slightly in size, as these spy shots appear to show. The sport 'ute is covered by thick camo, but we can see development is coming along. Judging by the prototype's proportions, it looks as though the next-gen Mercedes GLK will be larger than the current model. Though it's hard to tell through the heavy camouflage, styling might also evolve to fit in with the rest of Mercedes' lineup, moving from the current boxy look to a more rounded design. The next-gen Mercedes GLK will be based on the upcoming C-Class, which means the two vehicles may share drivetrain options. Known global drivetrains for the C-Class include gasoline, diesel, and hybrid options, and our spy shooter tells us a hybrid GLK variant could be in the cards. We liked the 200-hp, 369-lb-ft 2.1-liter turbodiesel I-4 available in the refreshed 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec, and wouldn't mind seeing that mill return in the next-gen model.

Following the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake concept鈥檚 debut at the 2012 Beijing auto show, the automaker announced plans to actually build a version of the stylish yet practical four-door. Now the automaker has released details on the production version of the CLS Shooting Brake, which isn鈥檛 planned for the U.S. The production version of the CLS Shooting Brake retains the concept car鈥檚 dramatic styling with its long hood, shallow greenhouse, and roofline that sweeps back to the tailgate. Aluminum is used in the frameless doors, tailgate, hood, front fenders, as well as in the chassis and suspension. Inside, the CLS Shooting Brake鈥檚 foldable rear seats include room for a fifth passenger. Mercedes will offer five interior colors, five trim designs, and three varieties of leather for the CLS Shooting Brake. Interior wood choices include high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss black ash, and satin-finish light-brown poplar. Customers can specify piano lacquer or AMG carbon fiber/black piano lacquer trim elements as well as new porcelain interior appointments. The CLS鈥?well-trimmed interior continues in the cargo area, which is lined with high-quality carpet and features leather trim on the side panels.

The designo wood-lined luggage compartment floor uses American cherry tree wood, which contrasts with the inlaid smoked oak and brushed aluminium rails, and is supposedly inspired by yachts. Rubber inserts in the aluminium rails protect the wood floor and prevent cargo from sliding around. The rear seats fold to expand cargo capacity while a cargo cover blocks contents from view. A power-operated tailgate is standard. CLS Shooting Brake buyers can choose among two diesel and two gas engines, each mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with start-stop capability. Diesel choices include the 2.1-liter I-4 in the CLS250 CDI like the one we鈥檒l get in the GLK250 crossover, and a 3.0-liter V-6 in the CLS350 CDI. Mercedes will also offer the CLS350 model with a 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine and the twin-turbo 4.6-liter V-8 in the CLS500. All-wheel drive is available with the diesel V-6 and gas V-8 engines. The CLS Shooting Brake will be offered with all of the regular CLS sedan options including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring system, lane departure warning system, as well as radar-guided cruise control and Mercedes鈥?Pre-Safe braking system. Even though the market for a CLS Shooting Brake might be slim in the U.S., we can鈥檛 wait to find out how it performs against hatchback competitors like the Audi A7.

Few segments have grown as quickly over the last decade than these SUV-like cars that offer greater utility without the efficiency sacrifices of a larger vehicle. Gas mileage is improving all the time too, allowing the average compact crossover to use less fuel than regular compact cars were returning only a few years ago. Which are most efficient? We've picked the ten best fuel-sippers in the compact crossover class. There are a few surprises here and the omission of a few--like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V--that you may have expected to do better. Kudos to Subaru here--when we last looked at fuel-efficient crossovers, its XV Crosstrek made an appearance but didn't quite reach the top. With the addition of a hybrid drivetrain it's now made that leap, and as far as both city and combined mileage go it's the best here. Power comes from the combined efforts of Subaru's traditional flat-four gasoline engine, and a small 10 kW (13 horsepower) electric motor.

It's largely a 'mild hybrid' in that its EV mode only cuts in under very, very gentle driving. You're better viewing it as an XV with improved gas mileage than a proper hybrid vehicle. While the Subaru above uses hybrid technology to return good gas mileage, BMW has opted for diesel. 34 mpg highway is not bad at all for a vehicle of the X3's bulk, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine offers strong performance. You get an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and 180 horsepower at your disposal--which should make the BMW one of the punchiest cars here despite its economy potential. A little smaller than the rest, the Juke nevertheless returns good gas mileage. What it lacks in size it makes up for in striking styling, and the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine sends its power through an automatic transmission. Mazda has made a big deal of its Skyactiv engine and transmission technology, and with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder the CX-5 is one of the most economical compact crossovers on the market. With a manual transmission and two-wheel drive--and no fancy tricks--it achieves up to 35 mpg on the highway, while combined mileage is a respectable 29 mpg.