Mercedes GLA hybrid interior, dashboard & comfort

The plug-in hybrid version of the GLA is initially only available in plush Exclusive Edition trim – a reflection of its company-car focus. Standard equipment is good, however: you get leather upholstery, metallic paint, 19-inch alloy wheels and the Executive pack (which adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Active Parking Assist and wireless phone charging) among a host of other additions.

The usual array of Mercedes option packs is available, with Premium and Premium Plus versions adding even more luxurious appointments. It's worth keeping your box-ticking to a minimum, though, as these can easily add nearly two or three thousand pounds to the list price – however, every GLA 250 e costs more than £40,000, so you’ll already be liable for the higher-rate road tax.

Mercedes GLA hybrid dashboard

The GLA's interior design is great and overall quality impresses, too. Everything feels well put together, while extra leather on the dashboard (part of the Executive pack) really helps to lift the ambience. The GLA's dashboard shares much with the layout of the smaller A-Class, but that's no bad thing. You may be picking one of the smaller models in Mercedes' range with the GLA, but you won't feel as though you're missing out on much of the brand's famous quality and luxury. 

Equipment, options & accessories

The lowest-specced GLA 250 e you can buy is the Exclusive Edition, whose generous kit list includes leather sports seats, 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, a reversing camera and rear tinted windows, along with a seven-inch driver's display (rather than the larger 10.25-inch item). There's not too much reason to step up to the Premium version. 

If you do, you'll get keyless entry and go, a larger driver's display, ambient interior lighting, illuminated door sills and an upgraded 225W sound system, along with augmented-reality sat nav that can superimpose directions on a video feed displayed on the central screen, making missed turns a bit less likely.

Push the boat all the way out with Premium Plus and you'll enjoy the addition of adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable memory-function seats and traffic-sign assistance.

Infotainment, apps & sat nav

All versions of the GLA 250 e get a dual-screen infotainment setup, with the size of the driver's screen dependent on specification. The system is best enjoyed on twin 10.25-inch displays, but whichever you get, it can be configured to display different combinations of car, sat-nav and media information. The infotainment itself takes a bit of getting used to, but once you've got your eye in it's one of the best around, with clear, easy-to-read information and a logical menu system.