Subtle tweaks to this premium family hatchback include a revised engine range and trim levels On sale Now Price from £31,880
Lawrence Cheung lawrence.cheung@haymarket.com
GIVEN THE LARGE number of family hatchbacks on sale (there are 18 reviews of them alone on the What Car? website), trying to whittle down a shortlist could be a challenge. Life is a bit easier if you’re after one that wears a premium badge, though; there are just three main options to choose from. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is one of them, and has been battling it out against the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series for the past decade.
The current version is the most convincing yet, and it’s just been treated to an update. You’ll have to look quite carefully on the outside to spot the tweaked front and rear lights and more sculpted bonnet.
Meanwhile, the list of changes to the interior is barely any longer than the vegan menu in a fast food restaurant. What few there are make a big difference, though.
For a start, while entry-level models previously had a 7.0in digital instrument panel that looked a little low-rent for a premium car, all trim levels now come with a 10.3in display that’s much sharper to look at and has a wide range of layouts to choose from.
Likewise, the 10.3in infotainment screen that used to be an option on cheaper versions is now standard across the range, and it’s now touchscreen operated rather than relying on a touchpad on the centre console. The screen is quick to respond to inputs and the menus are well laid out. As before, you can also use the voice control system to activate certain functions, starting with the phrase “Hey Mercedes”, or you can use the steering wheel touchpads, although these are rather fiddly.
Otherwise, the A-Class’s interior remains as spacious and visually appealing as it always was, even if the 1 Series is more user-friendly and feels more robust.
The engine range has been simplified, with just two petrols and one diesel available. The 1.3-litre petrol engines now have mild hybrid assistance, with a 14bhp electric motor to bolster performance and efficiency, plus a smooth stop-start system.
The entry-level A180’s engine needs to be worked quite hard to keep up with traffic and feels a little lethargic at the top of the rev range. The seven-speed automatic gearbox does a pretty good job of keeping you in the right gear, but the pokier A200 is more effortless and our pick of th
