FRAGRANT aromas can make a difference to just about anything - put you in a fresh, relaxing frame of mind, make you feel good within yourself.

By the same token nasty niffs will have you opening the windows and whacking on the air-con, especially in a car.

Little things certainly, but ones that can make a world of difference. Take the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, the prestige brand's blend of SUV and hatchback that when pigeon-holed falls into the compact crossover category.

A feature of the GLC, in addition to the added style brought to the party by the tested version's AMG Line trim, is an interior perfume dispenser armed with a box of mood fragrances named Nightlife, Downtown, Pacific, Sports and Freeside.

Depending on which you select the scent can be fruity, floral, chocolately or, unfortunately in the case of Pacific, more like insect repellent.

Not that you really need to be in the right disposition to appreciate the GLC Coupe because it's a car of considerable appeal.

Based on the Mercedes C-Class, the Coupe offers a choice of GLC 220d and 250d four-cylinder diesels returning identical economy and emissions figures of 56.5mpg and 143g/km, though the latter's 204bhp ensures a higher top end and better acceleration.

There's also a more expensive and powerful 350d variant with six cylinders and 258bhp.

What you get with the GLC is a fresh, uncluttered and hi-tech-looking interior with ample space for five and plenty of stowage space.

And though a centre rear passenger is obliged to have their legs either side of the transmission tunnel, the seating position is comfortable.

While some rivals provide a pair of third row child seats Mercedes prefers to stick by the standard five-seat layout, including the full-time benefit of a large boot with an extra stowage area beneath.

As you may expect from a Mercedes this is a smooth, refined car to drive through the nine-speed auto transmission, though the company's practice of having a steering column-mounted gear selector takes some getting used to.

Near silent and polished, there's a precise feel from the chunky leather flat-bottomed speed sensitive steering and the optional Air Body Control suspension can be set for a comfortable or more sporty drive.

It means the car floats over bumpy or broken surfaces and while heading off-road isn't one of the coupe's major selling points, you do get the firm's 4MATIC all-wheel drive system along with dynamic driving modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport + and Individual - accessed via a rocker switch.

Safety features are countless, as is the scope for dipping into an extensive options list and the tested model was no exception - with extras ramping the total cost up by more than £10,500.

If you want the air suspension the cost is £1,495, a Premium Plus package including a COMAND Online system adds £2,795, a head-up display is £825 and the scented and filtering Air-Balance package £350.

There's plenty in the standard spec though to ensure the GLC Coupe remains an extremely attractive proposition, even if rear visibility could be better.