• Decent dashboard and infotainment
• MBUX voice-control system is excellent
• Quality isn’t where it should be

How is the quality and layout?

Mercedes-Benz has worked hard to make the GLA’s cabin function well, look good, and feel suitably premium. It’s succeeded, on the whole, with an interior that echoes the C- and E-Class in terms of fit and finish. The latest GLA packs even more cutting-edge technology as standard – although a fair amount of the best tech still sits on the options list.

However, the quality isn’t as deeply ingrained as it is with Audi and BMW. The interior’s a mixed bag of trims and finishes, which look good, but feel cheap in places.

Consequently, the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 might not look as good, but are better than the GLA in terms of sheer quality of the materials. So, if you want a car that feels expensive rather than just looks expensive, the X1 and Q3 have a more substantial feel.

Infotainment and tech

The GLA benefits from Mercedes-Benz’s latest incarnation of its refined MBUX dashboard, which is about as good as they come – regardless of price. There are touchscreen and touchpad interfaces, while saying ‘Hey Mercedes’ allows you to control everything by your voice, as well as ask it Amazon Alexa-like silly questions if you’re bored in traffic.

MBUX lifts voice control to a new level of quality, but it does not stop the urge to dive into the touchscreen’s countless icons, menus, submenus and other sources of distraction. Elsewhere we like the look of the five turbine-style vents.

The GLA now features a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen as standard, which look like a single, lengthy screen together. The AMG GLA 35 and 45 offer a special dial screen display mode called Supersport with a central rev counter and 3D look to the information bars located left and right. You can also call up engine data and a g-force display.

The GLA steering wheel has been updated to include a raft of touch-sensitive controls, finished in plastic. The new buttons, which include adaptive cruise control, volume control and arrows to navigate around the infotainment system, are very responsive but accidental touches are an all-too-regular part of the experience. The plastic itself follows suit of the rest of the cabin – visually agreeable but a little cheap to the touch.

Comfort

• Seats are firm but supportive
• Headroom isn’t as generous as we’d like
• Energizing Comfort Control aids longer journeys

The seats in the GLA look impressive and are adequately supportive, but they are not as comfortable as those fitted in rivals – particularly the Audi Q3 – when driving long distances. This is more of a problem for those in the front than the back, though.

The GLA features Mercedes’ front seat comfort package as standard, which includes an adjustable 60mm supportive surface for the thighs, adjustable seat cushion depth and an adjustable cushion angle. The extra leg support made very long journeys a bit more comfortable, though didn’t transform the experience.

It’s also worth noting that the driver’s seat base sits fairly high, and so tall drivers may find themselves contorting their ankles awkwardly to keep their feet hovered over the pedals while in close reach of the steering wheel.

Heated and ventilated front seats are available as options on the GLA. The rear is better for passengers than the A-Class hatchback it’s based on, but the X1 and Q3 are both roomier.

There’s also a cocooning effect generated by the quiet cabin and the excellent seats, plus you also get the Energizing Comfort Control – this combines various functions such as the interior lighting, music and seat massage to create a relaxing ambiance in the cabin.