CONSENSUS seems to be that the Mercedes GLA is supposed to be an SUV, or a crossover at least.

But, to be honest, it’s not.

What it is, though, is a very good high-end hatchback. That we can certainly say.

For me, it doesn’t have that raised driving position that you expect from an SUV, even a small one.

But inside is a very decent place, as you’d expect from a Merc.

It’s spacious and the interior is top notch.

I drove the AMG Line model and that gives you a very tidy inside, with red stitching and the finish is excellent.

The boot is a good size and the automatic tailgate on the model I tested was rather handy - think hands-full-of-shopping-bags useful.

From the outside, it’s a good-looking thing, with Merc’s latest design language - big badge, wide grille - suiting it well and it’s slim and sleek.

You get decent kit, which, on AMG Line models like this one, includes stop/start, roof rails, reversing camera, body kit, air con, electric windows, auto wipers, DAB radio, all the media connections you’d expect and the tablet-style 5.8 touch screen.

This was one aspect that left me disappointed - the display screen is decidedly low rent and low res for a car of this quality.

It drives well, although the 2.2, 136hp, diesel in my tester won’t blow you away.

It will, however, reward you with CO2 figures of 119g/km and a combined mpg of 62.

Merc might claim that it’s created an SUV here, but I’m not so sure.

But it has created a surprisingly good hatchback at a good price for the premium sector.

The range starts at £25,850, topping out at £30,680 - or you can have the 360hp GLA 45 AMG for £44,495.

The AMG Line model I tested is £26,850 and well worth the extra grand.