Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback (2005 - 2012) review

At a glance |
|
---|---|
New price | £13,945 - £22,975 |
Used price | £495 - £5,510 |
Fuel economy |
Not tested to latest standards
View pre-2017 economy specs
|
Road tax cost | £30 - £330 |
Insurance group | 9 - 30 How much is it to insure? |
PROS
Decent interior space, most affordable Mercedes, easy to drive in town, good diesel economy
CONS
Artificially light steering, noisy at speed, harsh ride, some weak petrol engines
Mercedes-Benz A-Class rivals
The A-Class is the smallest – and most affordable – model in the Mercedes line-up. As a small family car, it’s an alternative to models like the Audi A3 or BMW 1-Series, but it’s unusual upright styling makes it look more like a people carrier. It stands out, however that odd shape means it’s not the most practical of cars – and rear space is limited, especially on three-door models.
The five-door version is a better choice if you have kids. Build quality is good, as you’d expect from Mercedes – but the handling and comfort levels are a let down. Ultimately, while it’s a huge improvement over the old A-Class, there are better and more affordable hatchbacks around. In mid 2008 it was facelifted with new headlights and bumpers plus an upgraded interior and more efficient engines.