SEGG’S WAY

and GLA220d are diesels. The petrol models are only two-wheel drive whereas the GLA220d is four-wheel and the GLA220d can be if you add £1,600 to the bill.

It’s the GLA220d we’re testing today and true to form we have one almost at the top of the range.

The joining fee to the GLA club is £33,000 for the GLA200 in Sport trim. Next up the ranking is Sport Executive then AMG Line and AMG Line Premium.

The latter is the trim level of our car and for that you’re talking £41,430. Surprisingly for a test model it’s modestly optioned with only metallic paint adding £595 to the final price. The GLA220d’s 2.0-litre diesel engine produces a strong 190bhp that propels the car from 0-62mph in 7.3sec.

More importantly the old 7-speed automatic (no GLA is available as a manual) has been replaced by the excellent 8-speed version – smooth changing and almost always in the right gear.

The AMG Line comes with ‘lowered comfort suspension’ – hinting at sportiness but reassuring customers they’re not buying a boneshaker. They aren’t, but there’s no question that the

Visually more appealing and sportier to drive.

Very similar to the Merc in all respects. Choice will come down to brand preference.

Great styling inside and out. No diesels from Volvo these days. My choice of all three. car would be better with more compliant suspension as the ride is choppy over potholes at low speed.

Much to my surprise I really enjoyed driving the GLA220d, much more than I ever did its predecessor. This trim level also brings with it Merc’s excellent 10.25in screens: one for infotainment and the other for instruments.

Lesser models come standard with seven-inch displays. The tech all works well, including the voice activation ‘Hey Mercedes’ which most of the time understands commands accurately. There’s more space inside the new GLA and roomier in the back. But you’ll be a bit disappointed by the 435 litre boot.

It’s a big improvement on the outgoing car. Better to look at and to drive; more spacious and equipped with the A-Class hatchback’s top infotainment suite.

You get more driver assistance systems, too, much of it worthwhile. So a better car for sure, but still one that doesn’t measure up to its rivals in key areas.

If you’re a Mercedes loyalist I’d strongly suggest having a look at the GLB before you sign up for a new GLA.

Those of you who are long term Top Gear fans will remember the name Koenigsegg and Jeremy Clarkson shouting in full Jezza mode while driving one.

The Swedish company, fronted by the eccentric Christian von Koenigsegg, will be launching its first four-seat supercar at the Salon Prive classic car show at Blenheim Palace on September 23-26.

Called the Gemara, it featuress a 2.0-litre, threecylinder petrol engine and three electric motors. Wait for it, for a total output of 1,700bhp and 3,500Nm of torque. See salonpriveconcours.com for tickets information.

Kia has upgraded its Stonic crossover. The styling remains largely the same but there are some new colour options for the body and roof.

The bigger changes are to the electronic safety and driver assistance systems that include forward collision avoidance, with cyclist detection and smart cruise control.

The engines and powertrains have been tweaked with a new 48-volt mild hybrid system now available which also includes the company’s new ‘clutch-bywire’ intelligent manual transmission.

The car goes on sale later this year.

I enjoyed driving it but the ride is choppy over potholes at low speed