Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback (1998 - 2004) review

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At a glance |
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New price | £12,570 - £21,825 |
Used price | £415 - £2,270 |
Fuel economy |
Not tested to latest standards
View pre-2017 economy specs
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Road tax cost | £30 - £330 |
Insurance group | 11 - 24 How much is it to insure? |
PROS
Interior space, compact body, badge.
CONS
Firm ride, high price.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class rivals
A-Class scores on several counts. It’s an intelligent compromise between city car and people-carrier, it’s undoubtedly practical, reliable and stylish and it’s got the Stuttgart star on the grille. Pumped-up small hatches might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re certainly the flavour of the moment. Daewoo’s Matiz does a similar sort of job at half the price, but A-Class is the small family car of choice from Chelsea to Cornwall, combining prestige with practicality and reliability.
The stretch models from mid-2001 are roomier but still usefully compact.