The all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 luxury compact crossover joins a hot new class of vehicles, fast growing with competition like the BMW X1, Lexus NX, and soon the Infiniti QX30.

In our recent short drive with the 2015 GLA250, we got the opportunity to get a good feel for its ride quality, handling poise, power and performance as well as the overall character of Mercedes-Benz newest entry here in the States.

Styling brings the three-pointed star’s latest design themes which feature sculpted forms with more rounded edges than recent models of the past. Its five-door profile is sporting, accented well with a rear upper spoiler.

Trims and details are well refined all around including some expensive looking headlights with LED accents, and satin finish metals to give the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 its off-road crossover cred with a bit of elegance.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 shares its chassis and footprint with the new 2015 CLA sedan, meaning it’s compact and features front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive such as the 4MATIC model we tested. Though it has a bit more ground clearance than its sedan sibling.

The interior feels very cocoon-like with a high dash line and a sweeping set of contours. Standard materials are leatherette with aluminum trims. Alternatively you can option a myriad of sumptuous leathers and genuine woods to warm it up quite well.

Switchgear as expected from Mercedes-Benz is of top quality and design layout. Our tester had the optional panoramic sunroof which can let the light and air in with a power opening front section.

Power comes from a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a standard seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission which can be shifted manually or left to do all the work.

In driving, it has plenty of spirit with 208 horsepower and is reasonably refined enough to earn the Mercedes-Benz badge. It’s transmission on the other hand can be abrupt in shifts or sometimes delays a bit long making gear changes.

Handling is tight and firm, with less of the classic Mercedes-Benz cush their larger sedans have been known for. The Mercedes-Benz GLA250 feels light on its feet with a distinct staccato to its road feel. Cornering roll is near flat at all times.

It’s larger 19” optioned AMG wheels and low profile tires do look good but amp up the harshness over bumps, pot holes, driveway entrances, and other irregularities. If you genuinely go off the pavement you will want to have the more standard sized tires and wheels.

That gets us to road noise and refinement in general. Our tester exhibited a few rattles and shakes on our short drive with a healthy dose of road noise we were surprised with. This might be overly high expectations, but this is a Mercedes-Benz.

As tested our well optioned 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 came in at $48,605. That represents about $15,000 worth of options on top of its $33,300 base price. And you can spend well into the $60,000’s if you choose the GLA450 AMG.

In the end however, whether base pricing or fully optioned, you can spend similar amounts for competitors from both Germany and Japan. And there are more yet to come very soon.