CROSSOVER’S BETTER BUT STILL TOO BLAND

Mercedes-Benz has spun seven different cars from the current A-Class platform. Among them four-door coupes (CLA) and the hugely successful million-selling GLA crossover launched in 2013.

I never liked the GLA – the way it drove, its looks.

I’m no great fan of SUVs or crossovers but if you’re going to make one, make it look like one.

The GLA looked like an A-Class hatchback that had been inflated and then got a slow puncture.

Now we’re testing the latest, version based on the A-class launched a couple of years ago. First observation is that the proportions are much improved. It is 10 centimetres taller than the outgoing model, but is 15mm shorter.

This raising and shortening gives it a much more recognisible SUV stance. Big improvement – but I still wouldn’t call the latest GLA very stylish or distinctive. Bland is probably an accurate description.

Writing that makes me think I might have been a harsh in my criticism of another recently launched Merc crossover, the GLB. It looks a bit like Postman Pat’s van but at least it’s distinctive unlike this GLA.

Four different engines are available

Mercedes-Benz GLA220d AMG Line Premium Five door SUV Price: £41,430

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 190bhp

0-62mph: 7.3sec

Fuel consumption: 49.6mpg Co2: 13/km

for the basic cars, with hot AMG versions GLA35 and GLA45 on their way along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain currently fitted to the A250e hatchback. Two are petrol 1.3-litres and 2.0-litres fitted respectively to the GLA200 and GLA250. And both the GLA200d