Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 160 Classic SE Autotronic 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The petrol engine produces 94 bhp and 104 lb-ft of torque, propelling the car from 0-62mph in 13.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 106mph.

The car's power is transferred to the front wheels with the aid of Mercedes' classic Autotronic automatic gearbox. The way the gearbox works means that gear ratios change constantly and this eliminates any interruption of power with the aid of a conventional auto 'box - allowing the car to reach top speeds in quicker time frames.

However, this can cause problems for some drivers as hard acceleration results in the sound of the gear changing being audible and somewhat unnerving for those unaccustomed to the sound.

The A-Class' handling is pretty good despite the lofty driving position. The steering is full of life and there is lots of feedback whilst body roll is absent thanks to a innovative rear axle and a 'selective damping system' which adjusts the suspension depending on how the car is driven. When driven normally it optimises the set-up for comfort but stiffens to stabilise the car during high speed cornering.

This is the second generation of the A-Class and it has undergone numerous improvements from its predecessor. It has a much sportier look which is especially evident in the three door model. The headlights sweep nicely up the front of the car with flowing lines along the sides giving a sleek look. The front grille is much bolder than before which adds to the appearance and the boot has a low seal which is practical for loading.

The interior is completed to a high finish using good quality materials. A high level of fit associated with Mercedes is provided but a faux wood trim on the centre console cheapens the look slightly.

The controls are well organised and easy to operate thanks to a clearly labelled layout. The stalk control on the left of the steering wheel will need getting used to however but once this is mastered then drivers should find the car more than comfortable.

This is the basic model and costs £17,520 but only offers limited in-car tech when compared to similar cars of its class. Standard features which are fitted include air conditioning, cruise control and a stereo which supports CDs and offers Bluetooth connectivity. Additional features, such as built-in sat nav, can be added for an additional cost.

Head- and leg-room in both the front and rear are great and the boot holds a decent 435 litres with the seats up, expanding to an impressive 1,995 litres when the seats are down. The low boot sill makes loading simple and easy but a low boot floor can cause some difficulty and fitting bulkier items into the available space can be a little bit more difficult.

Overall, reliability is expected to be strong due to the reputation of Mercedes and this is an attractive feature for a family car.

This model also scored a full five stars in the NCAP crash tests and this means buyers can be assured over the car's strong safety credentials. Safety equipment fitted as standard includes driver, passenger and front side airbags.

Priced at £17,520 this car is fairly reasonable for its class and offers relatively good fuel efficiency of 41.5 mpg on the combined cycle. This makes these running costs fairly manageable but road tax is likely to be a little high falling under tax band G due to relatively high carbon emissions of 159 g/km.

Those interested in greater financial savings would be better off with the diesel models which offer better efficiency. Regardless of which model is selected, resale values are amongst the best in the hatchback class thanks to Mercedes's impeccable reputation.