Small size, but this is a huge seller for House Stuttgart – so this mid-life update introduced earlier this year couldn't be more timely in the face of new rivals coming in hot. Say hello to the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 facelift.

Exterior: Don't fix what's not broken

We've only got one variant of it this time around, the sole GLA 200 Progressive Line. So no AMG kit (that will be for the GLA 250, to come later), and very, very minor changes compared to its pre-facelift predecessor.

Not bad at all, considering it builds upon a car that's already quite chic to begin with. It also comes off as larger than it seems – the heavy rump makes the whole thing not as lithe as, say, a BMW X1 – but it's generally an agreeable, cute car.

Interior: Better software and flair are great, steering wheel is not fun though

The breadth of updates concern the interior more, and it's quite holistic. Akin to the A-Class sedan facelift, the GLA's touchpad has gone, replaced with a small storage compartment that hides a wireless charger within.

Also,  64-colour ambient lighting finally makes it to the junior Mercedes, and that's quite something as it elevates the experience a whole lot more, and psychologically it doesn't feel like a 'cut-price' variant as the pre-facelift did. Down with the drab!

Elsewhere there's the new steering wheel, which for some reason feels like an overall step backwards. The old thick wheel that was decked out with crispy silver buttons fit just nicely in the hands, not to mention being clear and easy to use.

For some reason the new wheel looks two sizes too big for the GLA, and perhaps that has something to do with an odd awkwardness in the hands. In our time with it, gripping the wheel on the safest 9-3 position felt rather unnatural, and that's before the haptic buttons being a bit of a mess to use on the move.

Elsewhere however, the bunch of new stuff Mercedes have given the baby SUV are meaningful. The latest MBUX software within the twin 10.25-inch screens only serves to improve one of the best in-car platforms ever, improving on voice recognition and overall snappiness – wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that now finally fill up the screen are just desserts.

Driving: Enough power, reasonable fuel consumption

Baby Benz comes with a suitably compact engine, all 1.3 litres of Renault-sourced power. We live in times where 163 PS and 250 Nm is chicken feet to BEVs far cheaper than this, though where are you realistically going to use the "0-100 km/h in 4 seconds" claim in daily life anyway?

The small-displacement engine is aided by a turbo, so there's decent enough shove for city jaunts. Even across highways there's adequate pull when you need to move past the errant lane hogger, though the 7-speed DCT might be a little hesitant to grab a gear down as you're doing so. Elsewhere, the shifts are usually very smooth and well-timed.

It's worth a mention too that our GLA 200 still does without the EQ mild-hybrid system, but it still does well enough to net a 8.6-litres/100 km fuel consumption figure, which is pretty accurate to what's reported by the on-board meter.

Comfort: Could be better, cushy tyres help a lot

The suspension on the GLA 200 is of the Comfort sort, so theoratically one expects a softly-sprung ride. In actuality it's a balanced ride, if a little more on the firmer side of things.

This means that it drives more like a hatchback than an SUV, with good body control and reasonable pliancy. One more positive? The chunky tyres are fantastic at cushioning road imperfections, so the ride is never what one would term as 'crashy'.

Because it's also SUV-sized you get the benefits of a higher hip point with the seats, making getting in and out very easy. If you ferry any elderly people frequently, it's something they'll appreciate.

Speaking of which, the seats of the GLA are reasonably comfortable, if a little stiff. Perhaps the padding should soften up nicely with some use. Leg- and headroom, about two tennis balls each, are just about as expected for something of this stature.

Verdict: Most complete starter Mercedes

Chic SUV-lite styling, a three-pointed star up front, and a generally positive feeling shows it's little wonder why the GLA has been a sales phenomenon for the brand.

The facelift improves things in points that matter too, mostly in the connectivity aspect and in flair, making it quite the compelling option in this slice of the market.