2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC: Just The Badge, Please

If you want to hit an automotive home-run, then you need to swing for the fences - not move the fences closer to home plate and hope that no one else notices. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC lacks the finesse to compete on the same playing field as other luxury crossovers, but it still charges a full price of admission to those seeking luxury box seats. This vehicle relies almost entirely on the badge attached to its grille and its position as the most affordable people mover in the Mercedes-Benz line-up to snag customers, when it probably should have spent a few more seasons in the minors getting ready for the big game.

Built To A Price

The subcompact 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC has been assembled using bits and pieces of the A-Class (not marketed in North America) and B-Class hatchback platforms. This is the same cost-conscious philosophy that guided the design of the CLA-Class sedan that appeared on the market last year, and the two vehicles share identical drivetrains and interior trappings.

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While platform sharing is a respectable automotive industry practice, Mercedes-Benz has in this case inflated the purchase price of the end result without developing a vehicle that rises above its more modest roots. With a starting window sticker of $37,200 (a figure that grew to $43,200 on my optioned-out tester), one would expect a modicum of luxury from the GLA-Class. Instead, the pint-sized SUV delivers fewer comforts than one would find in a similarly-stickered compact or even mid-size crossover in terms of equipment, driving experience, and quality. This is especially true given the explosion of competitive offerings in the small people mover segment over the past two years, with exceptional efforts available from Kia (the Sportage), Audi (the Q3), Buick (the very popular Encore), and Land Rover (Range Rover Evoque).

Plain Inside And Out

It would be too easy to pick on the GLA250 4MATIC's inoffensive styling, which is far more anonymous than what is worn by many other subcompact crossovers vying for family dollars, regardless of their market position. After all, design is a matter of taste, and no doubt the presence of such a well-respected brand's Silver Star works wonders in the minds of buyers to erase perceived plainness.

The interior of the GLA-Class is another matter. A plethora of plastics, synthetic leather, and a monochromatic colour scheme brightened by a single metallic trim panel on the vehicle's dashboard contribute to a cabin layout that pales when compared to more successful Mercedes-Benz efforts such as that found in the also-new C-Class sedan. It also doesn’t help that the GLA250 4MATIC feels cramped, especially from the rear seat, enhancing the claustrophobic effects of its plunging rear roofline (a conceit that also cuts into usable cargo space), and the noisiness of its cabin.

A Disappointment On The Road

The bargain feel of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC's interior isn't the most disappointing aspect of the subcompact crossover's package. That accolade has to go to its driving experience, which is below the standard set by other Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Most of the blame can be laid at the feet of its seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, a gearbox that seemed incapable of selecting the correct ratio at any given time.

The GLA250 4MATIC regularly attempted to start me off in second gear from a stop, a decision that was met with lugging protest from the 2.0-litre, 208 horsepower turbocharged engine under its hood. I was even once subject to a third-gear start, which was a complete no-go until a stab at the throttle kicked the transmission down to first and forward progress was once again made possible. Even while underway shifting was jerky and hesitant, with engine revs often climbing for a second or two before a gear was engaged under normal driving conditions. I had similar issues with the CLA-Class' identical transmission the year before. Using the crossover's 'Sport' mode alleviated some of this indecisiveness, but you would be hard pressed to validate the 258 lb-ft of torque claimed by the GLA250 4MATIC's brochure based solely on its sluggish character out on the road.

The lamentable drivetrain was complemented by uninspiring fuel efficiency and a chassis that shook, rattled, and bounced over Montreal's less-than-stellar roads. Smaller wheels might have helped, but they aren't on the menu for the GLA-Class, which asks you to pick between 18 and 19-inch rims. I had no real complaints about the all-wheel drive crossover's handling - perhaps the lone bright spot in my week with the vehicle - but there's not much fun to be had with the Mercedes-Benz, as it didn't offer the same level of engagement as more affordable, practical, and comfortable hatchback options from Volkswagen, Mazda, or Ford.

There Are Better Options

If you're not a Mercedes-Benz devotee, I can't think of a compelling reason to purchase the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC. There are many other crossover options under $40,000 that are better choices, as the GLA-Class is out-hauled by numerous compact hatchbacks, out-performed by a range of cheaper family-friendly options, and out-featured by almost every vehicle at its price point. If you absolutely must have a Mercedes-Benz SUV in your driveway, I heartily recommend spending the extra $10k on the excellent GLK-Class, a model that is immeasurably better than the GLA-Class in every important category.

Despite this stark reality, much like the CLA-Class before it I have no trouble believing that Mercedes-Benz will sell thousands of GLA-Class models to legions of shoppers intent on basking in the brand's reflected glory, as the GLA250 4MATIC's cost-conscious formula will likely prove to a popular one with the market identified by the automaker's shrewd product planners. The Canadian appetite for affordable luxury has never been stronger, but whenever you come across a price that appears to be too good to be true, it almost always is.