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Auto Blog
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Luxury On A Budget? Inside Mercedes' Most Accessible Model
It feels and looks like a proper Mercedes, but rivals offer more value. The Most Affordable Mercedes More Expensive Than Closest Rivals If you're after affordable luxury, some of the brands that may spring to mind are Cadillac, Genesis, and Acura. Mercedes-Benz isn't often associated with affordability, but that doesn't mean you can't pick up a reasonably attainable new Mercedes in 2025. No, you won't get the performance and sheer luxury of a more expensive Mercedes, but you still get to drive off in a model with that prestigious star on the nose. Here's a closer look at the cheapest Mercedes model on sale. The Cheapest Mercedes-Benz Is The GLA 250 Source: Mercedes-Benz Whereas the cheapest new BMW is a four-door coupe in the form of the 228 Gran Coupe, the cheapest Mercedes is a subcompact SUV. The GLA-Class 250 starts at $43,000 for the base front-wheel-drive variant. It may be the cheapest new Mercedes, but this entry-level GLA is more expensive than both its key rivals, the BMW X1 ($41,350) and Audi Q3 ($39,800). This follows a general trend of Mercedes models being pricier than equivalent BMWs and Audis. But how much value has Mercedes packed into its most affordable model? Is it up to the brand's standards? Let's dig in and find out. Design: An Attractive, Downsized GLC The main giveaway that this is the cheapest Mercedes SUV is size. At just 173.6 inches in length and 72.2 inches in width (excluding the mirrors), the GLA 250 doesn't take up much space at all. Other than that, it doesn't look cheap in any way. It has smooth, rounded lines, but elements like the bold grille with its center Mercedes logo add a touch of aggression. As standard, the base GLC 250 gets 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum roof rails, rear privacy glass, a power liftgate, hands-free access, and all-LED lighting. An AMG Night Package can further bolster the looks with glossy black accents and bigger wheels, and a panorama roof is another option. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The color palette is much more restricted than on more expensive models, though, with only six to choose from. Other than Patagonia Red, it's a subdued mix of whites, greys, and blacks. Interior: More Space Than Before And Mostly Good Materials Compared with the previous-generation GLA, this new one is a lot more accommodating for adults, with nearly five inches more rear legroom. The look and feel of the cabin is better, too. From the rounded air vents to the dual-screen panel and interesting colors and textures, Mercedes has put a lot of effort into making its baby SUV feel like more expensive models. The following features are standard on the GLA 250: Power front seats with memory settings MB Tex imitation leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control Dual 10.25-inch screens (driver's display and center touchscreen) Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Heated front seats cost $500 extra, though, which is a bit cheeky considering that the cheaper BMW X1 gets this as standard. Adaptive cruise control is another $600, something that's standard on a Honda Civic costing almost half the price. Once you start adding options, the GLA 250 quickly approaches $50,000, and it makes a lot less sense at that price point, since it starts encroaching on larger compact crossovers. Performance: No Major Complaints, But Road Noise Intrudes Buying the cheapest Mercedes means settling for adequate rather than exciting performance. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine is supported by a mild hybrid system and produces 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The powertrain results in a 6.8-second 0-60 mph time, or 6.6 seconds if you go for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive derivative. While the GLA 250 feels swift enough for merging onto the highway or overtaking, it stops short of being sporty to drive. The ride is comfortable and handling agile enough, but fairly high road noise levels remind one that this isn't a GLC or GLE. The quicker and more powerful BMW X1 is better to drive, plus it's cheaper than the Merc. Other Cheap Mercedes Models For just a bit more than the GLA, you can drive off in a much more stylish four-door coupe or a more practical three-row crossover. Here are two other cheap Mercedes-Benz models. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: $44,400 Source: Mercedes-Benz Starting at $44,400, the CLA-Class is easily the most dashing Mercedes at this price point. The sleek, sloping roofline is effortlessly stylish. With a lower seating position and the same engine, the CLA 250 is more rewarding to drive than the GLA 250, but it's not nearly as practical. For a single person or couple, this is a nicer car than the GLA, but it's less suitable for family use. The all-new 2026 CLA-Class has already been revealed with fully electric power, and hybrids are set to follow. Once it arrives, expect the price of this model to start at much closer to $50k. Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class: $45,800 Source: Mercedes-Benz The 221-hp engine finds itself beneath the hood of another affordable Mercedes-Benz, but this is the only one with a third seating row. It's a small row, mind you, but the GLB is still a lot more versatile than the GLA. There is a small performance deficit if you go for the GLB, and the upright design is more utilitarian than the sporty GLA's. That aside, the two crossovers are similar to drive and comparably equipped. Summary: The GLA Is A Good Baby Mercedes, But Competitors Offer More Value In no way does the GLA 250 do a disservice to the Mercedes-Benz name, despite its status as the brand's most affordable model. It's stylish, well-built, good enough to drive, and doesn't feel basic from behind the wheel. For young buyers just starting to work their way up the corporate ladder, it's a worthy entry point to Mercedes ownership. The GLA's problem lies beyond the Mercedes lineup, though. It's pricier than practically all its key rivals, and a heavily optioned one begins sneaking into compact crossover territory, where it's much harder to justify. We recommend taking a look at its rivals, unless you are completely loyal to the Mercedes brand. FAQs How much is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz car? The GLA 250 is the cheapest new Mercedes and starts at $43,000. What is the cheapest Mercedes to maintain? Of Merc's current range, you can expect lower maintenance costs for the cheapest GLA, CLA, and GLB, especially those with less complex FWD systems. However, any Mercedes model will have higher than average maintenance costs. Which Mercedes is most reliable? According to the latest J.D Power Vehicle Dependability study, Mercedes-Benz as a brand is ranked far below its BMW rival, but above Audi. No particular modern Mercedes stands out for reliability, although the GLE-Class and C-Class have reasonable quality and reliability ratings of 80/100. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Miami Herald
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Shopping for a 2025 Lexus NX? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look at Too
The Lexus NX crossover SUV has remained popular since its 2014 (2015 model year) launch, with trademark attributes like a compact size, comfortable ride, and varied powertrains. The 2025 Lexus NX comes in six trims for its internal combustion engine (ICE) model and five trims for its hybrid version, which includes traditional and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrains. The 2025 NX ICE variants start at $42,140 and go up to a base price of $50,510, while the hybrid options begin at $46,600 and cap their starting costs at $63,505. You'll get 203 horsepower with an NX250, 275 horsepower with the NX350, 240 net combined horsepower with the NX350h (hybrid), and 304 net combined horsepower with an NX450h+ PHEV. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on each trim except the NX250 and NX250 Premium, and fuel economy is competitive at between 24 and 39 combined MPG. New additions for the 2025 model year consist of minor updates like a Copper Crest finish, Macadamia interior color, wireless charging compatibility on any trim, and new standard features such as rain-sensing wipers and a power liftgate. While the 2025 Lexus NX is more conservative in its styling than the brand's RX, LX, and RZ, its upscale presence and comfort help compensate for a somewhat vanilla design. However, a few expert-recommended competitors are worth evaluating before scheduling your NX test drive, which we'll explore below. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is a compact SUV rivaling the Lexus NX with comfortable seats, a smooth ride, and a slightly larger advanced infotainment system that's available at a nearly equivalent base price of $43,000. This Mercedes-Benz is less versatile in its powertrain offerings than the NX, with a mild-hybrid system and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 221 horsepower across its two front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD models. Fuel economy peaks at 29 combined MPG, and the AWD version starts at $45,000. The GLA 250's exterior styling is more aggressive than the Lexus NX, which matches its sportier handling. You'll get more cargo space behind the rear row with the Lexus NX at 22.7 cu. ft. compared to the GLA 250's 19 cu. ft. that grows by 3.6 cu. ft. with the rear seats folded. Regarding warranties, the NX gives drivers 4 years or 50,000 miles of basic coverage, whichever comes first, and 6 years or 70,000 miles of powertrain protection, just edging out the GLA 250's 4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties. Both competitors' seats are well-received regarding comfort, but those prioritizing legroom and hip room for rear passengers will find slightly more space with the GLA 250. While the 2025 GLA 250's standard infotainment display is 0.45 inches larger at 10.25 inches, you can opt for the NX's larger available 14-inch touchscreen. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) hasn't yet evaluated the 2025 GLA 250, but they named the 2025 NX a Top Safety Pick, so buyers focusing on safety may feel more secure with the Lexus. Acura's 2025 RDX holds a slightly higher base price than Lexus' NX at $44,700-with the peak trim level starting at $54,450. This model also doesn't offer any hybrid powertrains, unlike its Lexus NX counterpart, and horsepower is consistent across the board at 272. Still, each trim provides standard AWD, which is optional in the NX 250. You'll get worse fuel economy in the 2025 RDX at a combined 23 MPG, but this Acura handily beats its Lexus competitor in rear cargo space with 6.8 additional cu. ft. when the rear seats are folded, along with comfort specs like more front headroom, front/rear legroom, and front/rear shoulder room. You'll have to opt for a more expensive RDX trim like the Advance Package or A-Spec Advance Package to get a higher-end cabin, though, as ventilated front seats aren't in the first two trims, and neither are heated rear outboard seats in the first three grades. Both models are equally competitive in safety, each earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. While the RDX has a larger 10.2-inch standard infotainment display compared to the NX's 9.8-inch display, it doesn't offer an optional upgrade like the NX's available 14" touchscreen, and its infotainment touchpad can be unreliable-a feature that its Lexus rival doesn't have. You'll find more horsepower in the NX's peak NX450h+ at 304 combined, but the RDX is more of a premium sport crossover than the Lexus with its athletic performance. Both competitors offer 4-year/50,000-mile basic and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranties. The 2025 Volvo XC40 is a comparable compact SUV with the most competitive base price on this list at $40,650, and its peak trim reaching a starting MSRP of $50,595. The middle trim starts at $46,795. Each grade, Core, Plus, and Ultra, is powered by a mild-hybrid system producing 247 horsepower and a combined fuel economy of up to 26 MPG, which lags a bit behind the NX, but all XC40 variants come with standard AWD. The XC40 and the NX are relatively neck-and-neck regarding interior dimensions, but the XC40 takes a slight lead with better front/rear headroom, front/rear shoulder room, and cargo volume with the seats down. Volvo's XC40 doesn't match the NX in central touchscreen sizes with a single 9" display, and it didn't earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. Its powertrain warranty is also two years shorter and covers 20,000 fewer miles than the NX's. You'll get a more composed ride with the NX but lighter steering in the XC40. While the NX is a respectable competitor in the compact SUV segment, its neutral leanings in design and driving dynamics draw more attention to competitors. The GLA 250 has a sportier exterior that reflects its driving dynamics, but the RDX holds the advantage in curb appeal with its style that's more dynamic than the NX with its line placements. The RDX's powertrain has greater responsiveness, which I prioritize for daily drives, and its interior offers eye-catching red/black upholstery patterns like the NX. I'm somewhat ambivalent toward the XC40's exterior since it's what I've come to expect from Volvo, and you'll get more horsepower and cargo space from an RDX. The 2025 Lexus NX remains a quality choice with its competitive entry price and versatile lineup, but I'd prefer to buy an RDX, even if this Acura has downsides like a touchpad known for being unreliable and lower fuel economy. You'll have to opt for a pricier NX350h that's over $4,000 more than the base model to receive the peak combined fuel economy rating of 38 MPG, and this Lexus's milquetoast exterior is an accurate reflection of its driving dynamics. You'll also get more front-seat comfort with an RDX thanks to the model's 12- or 16-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar, thigh, and side bolster adjusters. If you're prioritizing a more comprehensive trim lineup and higher-quality interior finishes, the NX may better suit your driving needs. Regardless, you should test-drive every model from this list if possible before committing one way or the other. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
