Though we might not name the Mercedes-Benz A-Class among the best family hatchbacks you can buy, it’s a credible choice nonetheless, not least as the smallest and most attainable model in the brand’s range.

You can have the A-class as a conventional hatchback, which we’ll cover here, or a more stylish four-door, which we’ve covered separately in our A-Class Saloon review. The two cars are available with a wide variety of engines that include petrol, diesel, hybrid and hot AMG versions – and you can have them on some very keen finance terms.

The current A-Class sports a sleek exterior design with a shark-like front end that’s a world away from the tall, awkward styling of the first two model generations. It was first launched in 2018, but a series of minor updates have kept the car looking fresh, with the most recent changes coming in 2023.

The A-Class faces stiff competition from all directions. Not only is it a direct competitor for other premium German hatchbacks such as the Audi A3 Sportback and BMW 1 Series, but also other, aspiring brands that are competing for a slice of the premium hatchback pie – such as the DS 4 and Volkswagen Golf.

At the same time, family buyers who value space and practicality might be looking at similarly priced compact SUVs, such as Mercedes’s own GLA, the Audi Q2 or the BMW X1.

The A-Class’s most recent facelift simplified the engine range. Now, there are five units available. At the lower end of the line-up there are two petrols and a diesel, all with mild hybrid tech. There are also two AMG-badged performance models, offering additional pep and performance to rival the best hot hatchbacks on sale. We’ve reviewed both the A35 AMG and the fire-breathing AMG 45 in separate reviews, which you can read by following the links in this sentence. There is also the A250e plug-in hybrid, which has proven proven particularly popular over the years owing to its tax advantages for company car drivers.

There are plenty of other options in the Mercedes range if you fancy something a bit different. For SUV connoisseurs, there’s the aforementioned GLA and the larger GLB, available with seven seats. If you want something more traditional, there’s the A-Class Saloon. Finally, there’s the streamlined CLA four-door coupe, and its CLA Shooting Brake sibling – both based on the A-Class platform but offering a more stylish silhouette.

In the market for a posh hatch? Read on for our full Mercedes-Benz A-Class review. Find out more about how we test cars at Parkers.