Before the Mercedes-Benz GLA even went on sale, it already garnered widespread adulation from car enthusiasts. According to TorqueNews, the new luxury compact SUV was handpicked by the readers of the German “auto motor und sport” magazine as the most beautiful car in the world. The GLA shared this distinction together with the S-Class Coupe in the poll.

The Mercedes GLA is Expected to Attract More Entry Level Buyers

Another report from Automotive News confirmed that Mercedes is expecting more entry-level buyers for its luxury compact crossover vehicle. In fact, the company predicted that it might even exceed the demand seen in the CLA when it came out.

The GLA shares the same platform with the CLA. However, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has added functionalities and more legroom than the CLA, especially in the rear. The GLA is also more stylish than its sedan counterpart. In addition, the compact SUV of the German marque has a base price of $34,225, which is quite competitive in the market. These elements were predicted by analysts and the company executives of Mercedes as the driving factors that would attract a younger range of buyers. Company officials said the GLA targets buyers who are in their 20s and 30s.

Demand in the US Continue to Grow

Bart Herring, the general manager of product planning in Mercedes-Benz USA, noted the demand for compact crossover segment in the United States is growing. The GLA presents a great alternative people who want to upgrade from a regular car to a luxury vehicle. The official claimed approximately half of their customers will come from nonluxury customers, or those that formerly own Toyota, Nissan and Honda cars.