Mercedes GLA - Auto Express

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This is the Mercedes GLA. It's Mercedes' first compact SUV and its answer to the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

The GLA is based on the A-Class, but it's 125 millimetres longer, and it's a little taller and wider, too.

To make it look more rugged it features chunky bumpers at the front and rear. And there's plastic cladding along the sills and over the wheelarches to fend off out of control shopping trolleys in the supermarket carpark.

Inside, if like what you've seen from the new A-Class, you'll be right at home in a GLA. The differences between the two are minimal, except you can opt to have bezels around the air vents imprinted with the same detailing as the side sills.

Mercedes has at least tried to make the GLA feel more different from an A-Class by mounting the seats 41mm higher, meaning you look down own other motorists, rather than straight at them.

The GLA is a five seater, but should prove more practical than the A-Class, as it has a bigger boot, and a wider boot opening than the hatchback does. You can also opt for a luggage pack that allows you to move the rear seats giving more space for people or luggage, depending on what you need.

The GLA will use the A-Class's line-up of petrol and diesel engines, with Mercedes predicting that around three quarters of GLAs sold here will be diesel powered.

You'll also have the choice of two and four-wheel drive, with around 78 per cent of buyers expected to go for 4x4.

The two-wheel drive GLA will come with a choice of a 154bhp petrol engine or a 134bhp diesel, while the 4x4 will have either a 208bhp petrol or a 168bhp diesel like the car you can see here.

The 4MATIC four wheel drive system is front-wheel drive most of the time, but can send up to 50 per cent of power to the back axle should the road get slippy.

All cars come with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, 18-inch alloys, DAB radio and comfort suspension, while a more dynamic AMG Sport trim will be available with bigger wheels and stiffer springs.

The GLA goes on sale in December, and the first cars will arrive here early next year. Prices will start at about £25 grand, or near enough exactly the same as the competition charges.