Mercedes GLA 250e review: a successful hybrid crossover?

A hybrid compact premium crossover. Very 2020…

Yessirree. Or rather ja genau. This is the three-pointed star's take on the formula. Mercedes uses the umbrella term EQ Power for its plug-in hybrids and they get an e in the badge. This is the GLA 250e. You can have the same powertrain in the related A250e, B250e, CLA250e and CLA 250e Shooting Brake.

Of what does it consist?

The usual Mercedes GLA bodyshell carries the 1.33-litre engine also used, without hybrid, in the 180 and 200 versions of all Mercedes' compact cars. But its 160bhp of petrol power is here augmented by an electric motor that's mounted by the flywheel and drives through the transmission. That leaves a total of 218bhp and 332lb ft of torque.

Tucked in the back is a battery of 10.6kWh useable capacity. That gives a fairly useful electric-only range of 37 miles WLTP.

But note that because the motor drives through the transmission, this is front-wheel drive only, whereas some crossovers have an electric motor to drive the rear wheels too. Also note that like all the compact Mercedes, the battery under the back seat means there's no room for multi-link rear suspension so it's torsion-beam only.

And how is it?

Not that great, if we're being honest. All the compact Mercs are very spec-dependent: the small engine is wheezy, the torsion-beam suspension is bad for dynamics. So it proves here. But there is also good news.

Go on…

OK, let's look at the hybrid system first. It is efficient, which is much of the point. My experience shows you really could bank on 30 miles all-electric range, which a 7kW charger can give you in less than two hours. And the power of the electric motor alone is enough for most urban driving.

But it's not very well integrated. You feel the steps as the transmission changes gear, engine on or off. It's especially noticeable as you slow down, as the system harvests regeneration even while you touch the brake pedal.

And if you're expecting the whole combo to act like a 218bhp hottish hatch, allow us to crush your hopes. Power delivery is messy, the transmission sometimes grabbing several downshifts with a bang. The engine is noisy when stressed. Not just noisy in comparison with the times it's in electric mode, but noisy full stop.

There's torque steer if the surface isn't smooth. And coarse tarmac or concrete brings up ride harshness and road noise.

So, a good car ruined?

Well, the GLA gets off to a fine start. It's well-made and handsome. The seats are great. There's a surprising amount of room in the back and the boot – even the hybrid battery hasn't robbed that. It cruises solidly. So as both an urban and motorway prospect it's fine, and that's where most family driving happens.

I'm thinking good for tax too.

You're not wrong. Here are some financials, over the first three years, with an equivalent pure-petrol GLA 250 in brackets. VED is £280 (£1,170). BIK company-car tax for a 40 per cent-bracket individual is £479 over three years (£16,390). And it's also free for the London Congestion Charge, which is now £15 every day except Christmas day. Ho ho ho.

Score: 5/10