A consistently popular choice in the UK, with the Mercedes A-Class receiving upgrades in the Spring of this year, it wasn't long before the similar CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake estate received the same treatment, keeping it in touch with rivals. 

Like the recent A-Class facelift, the updates to the CLA are subtle and revolve around small tweaks to the exterior styling, and much bigger upgrades to the interior infotainment. 

Outside, from the front, there's a reprofiled front apron, revised grille with star pattern, and there are new LED headlights. At the side, there are updated alloy wheel designs - up to 19in. To complete the look, there are revised rear light clusters and new paint colours including the CLA-only Hyper Blue. 

Inside, there are the same two 10.25in screens as before, but these seem higher definition and even slicker. Elsewhere, the central infotainment touchpad has gone, to be replaced by haptic controls on the top left and right spokes of the new-to-the-CLA multi-function steering wheel, last seen on the current A-Class. Like that Mercedes, the CLA can now learn your preferences and offers improved functionality from the 'Hey Mercedes' voice-control feature. 

The MBUX system, as we've already said, works well enough and looks great, but we're less convinced by the small haptic controls on the steering wheel, which are fiddly and don't always work that well. Like the A-Class, we still feel Mercedes could have done more with the centre console, as there's an odd space, which doesn't really work that well for stowage, where the touchpad used to be. 

We've said it before, but in our opinion, Mercedes produces some of the most attractive interiors and the infotainment changes don't take away from the fact that the rest of the CLA's interior remains as stylish, classy, and comfortable as it has always been. 

Following the A and B-Class changes, every CLA is now a mild-hybrid with a seven or eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. However, with its 8% BiK figure, 23g/km emissions, and the fact it can now go up to 53 miles on electric-only power, the plug-in hybrid CLA250e must be the key fleet model in the revised range.  

The CLA250e's drivetrain is made up of the 1,332cc turbocharged engine which is combined with a 16kWh battery and 11kW on-board charger.  This has also been tweaked, adding 7hp, taking the total to 272hp. Finally, when it comes to charging, the CLA250e can be boosted from 10-100% at an AC charging station in 75 minutes, or over an hour and a half using a wall box - exactly the same figures as its sister car, the A250e.

Despite the CLA's curvier body style, considering it's much the same as the perhaps less fancy A250e underneath - they drive much the same. So, despite the fact our test car was low on electric range, it starts off in total silence, in full EV mode. The CLA250e might have nearly 300hp, but you wouldn't know it from the start - it also stays in full electric mode longer than you expect before the engine joins in and makes itself known. 

Most at home in 'Comfort' mode, where the engine and EV power are best matched, Sport sharpens the throttle response and is where the CLA's driving experience matches its performance and looks - but the engine is on all the time and is noisy when worked hard.  

The standard 19in wheels don't help with this CLA's refinement - with their iffy ride quality. Like the A-Class, you feel the extra weight of the CLA250e's battery in corners, too. Its lack of dynamism again is almost at odds with the quick and precise steering.