In the fast-paced, urban landscape, the subcompact crossover has emerged as a gateway to a calm experience in heavy, workday traffic. These glorified wagons move at a tough pace to get through the mean and busy city streets. They then go home to fit into just about any legitimate parking space.

The luxury brands dangle these vehicles as entry points and then ease into the capability of the cars with features such as microsuede softness and advanced driver-aid technology. Among the choices are the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lincoln MKC, the upcoming Infiniti QX30 and today's tester, the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The Mercedes-Benz is based on the entry level CLA sedan to create a European style weekend car that is more wagon than small SUV. I prefer the Mercedes treatment to the GLA over the CLA, which has cut some corners to meet the budget.

The GLA250 is sold in front or all-wheel drive (4Matic), with a 208-horsepower, direct-injection and turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder and a seven-speed dual-clutch, automated manual transmission. Pricing starts at $33,425. The 4Matic tester had a starting price of $35,425 and was $45,505 with added options.

There's also the high performance GLA45 AMG ($50,505 with 4Matic), for which the engineers, essentially, slide in another set of camshafts and crank up 355 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 332 foot-pounds of torque from 2,250-5,000 rpm. This engine gets the beefier AMG speed shift 7-speed DCT and other AMG tuning essentials.

The GLA is a sly beauty to behold, and sometimes beauty is skin deep. Before buyers answer that siren call, know that these are subcompacts and they don't have the utility space that may be imagined. While the front seat area always seems spacious, with good headroom (about 37 inches in the GLA with panorama sunroof, $1,480), the back seats and beyond are subcompact.

The GLA's diminutive back seat has a short bench but a wide door opening, which helps entry. While there are three seat belts in the back, the seat space is just wide enough for two average-sized adults. The space is functional with bottle holders in the doors, a wide, fold-down armrest with cup holders, a 12-volt plug and grab handles with coat hooks.

The cargo area, with seats folded, is about 5 feet long, 29 inches tall at entry and 41 inches wide. It would be a chore to squeeze in a bike and other bulky sports gear. A power tailgate is a handy, luxury class perk.

A curmudgeonly, car reviewing friend and I have decided that engineers label a suspension as "Sport" when it can't be tuned to be comfy. Compliant ride quality can be a challenge on these subcompact crossovers. The active ride quality in the GLA may have been more sensitive to bumps because of the AMG Sport package ($2,200), which adds 19-inch wheels, perforated brake discs and some aero body parts.

Mercedes cites 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds for the GLA250 4Matic, with fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined, on premium. The GLA45 AMG gets to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has mileage ratings of 23/29/25 mpg.

Fuel economy, of course, is subjective and I preferred the quicker shift and acceleration responses of Sport mode. The 250 4Matic weighs 3,428 pounds. And while there is an emissions sparing, idle, stop to start function, I usually switched it off to avoid the split second re-fire of the engine — which, somehow, seemed too slow when the light turned green and my right foot responded.

The electric steering is light, but consistently steady through the arc. The turning circle of 38.8 feet seems wide for a small car, but an effect of the fairly long wheelbase at 103.6 inches. Parking and maneuvering, however, were nimble. Braking is confident from 12.6-inch front disc brakes, 11.6-inch rear.

The four-wheel, independent suspension is active, in that there is much road feel, bounce and jump, which is not uncommon in sporty crossovers that are this size.

While the GLA starting price gets attention, the point of the Mercedes-Benz star requires another $5,000 for the Premium and Multimedia packages. To spend $45K on a subcompact car in the U.S. is an astonishing amount. Yet, the GLA outsells the CLA sedan — 2,025 vs. 1,856 in October — making both cars a tidy revenue stream and strategic pieces to broaden the appeal of the brand.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic:

— Body style: subcompact, 5-passenger, AWD crossover

— Engine: 208-horsepower, direct injection and turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 258 foot-pounds torque from 1,250-5,000 rpm

—Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual with shift paddles

— Fuel economy: 24/32 mpg city/highway; premium

— Fuel tank: 14.8 gallons

— Cargo space: 11.8-42 cubic feet

— Front head/leg/shoulder room: 38.3*/41.9/54.8 inches. *36.9 with moon roof

— Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 38.4/33.9/53.1 inches

— Length/wheelbase: 173.9/106.3 inches

— Curb weight: 3,428 pounds

— Turning circle: 38.8 feet

— Standard equipment includes: power front seats with lumbar, split folding rear seat, 18-inch all-season tires on alloy wheels, automatic headlights with twilight sensor and locator lighting

— Safety features include: electronic stability and traction controls, brake assist, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Attention Assist

— Base price: $35,425, including $925 freight charge; price as tested $45,505

— Options on test vehicle: South Seas blue paint $700; aluminum trim $150; Blind Spot Assist $550; panorama sunroof $1,480; bi-xenon headlights $850; illuminated star $550; Premium package includes satellite radio, heated front seats, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround-sound audio, garage opener, compass, auto-dimming side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control $2,300; Multimedia package including COMAND infotainment system with navigation (3D map views), 7-inch color screen, and rearview camera $2,400; Sport package, $2,200, includes AMG 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, perforated front brake discs and trim pieces

— Where assembled: Rastatt, Germany

— Warranty: 4-years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance

The GLA is a Euro-style weekender car that is more wagon than small SUV.

Mark Maynard is online at [email protected]. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

The GLA is a Euro-style weekender car that is more wagon than small SUV.