Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport 5dr Car Review - May 2013

This is the smallest of the engines available in the A-Class, and the 1.6 litre petrol propels the car from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds. The car can reach a top speed of 126mph, but the refinement within the cabin is a bit of a problem especially at motorway pace, when road and wind noise intrude into the cabin. The steering on the car is fine, but while the suspension is firm, it doesn't enjoy the body control that you would expect, meaning the driving experience is a little disappointing.

One of the plus points in the A-Class is that it is possible to get comfortable quickly and easily, with both steering wheel and seat simple to adjust in order to find the optimum seating position. The centre console system uses one screen with a scrolling facility which isn't particularly intuitive and can be distracting while you drive, but with the Sport trim many controls are built into the steering wheel which does bypass some of these issues.

An important area where the revamped A-Class has absolutely improved on its predecessor is in the looks department, with the headlights and the curving, bulging bonnet that gives the car the presence of a much bigger vehicle. The sweeping lines and curve towards the back end is reminiscent of the BMW 1 Series, in a very attractive exterior. The inclusion of a special set of alloy wheels for the Sport version do help the car to stand out from the crowd, with the two-tone metal being a bold look.

The level of equipment is fairly good, with air conditioning and cruise control being included as standard, while it also comes with electric windows throughout and Bluetooth connectivity included too. Rain sensing wipers are a good feature, but is disappointing to see so many of the nice touches only available as optional extras, with even fog lights and power folding mirrors costing extra with the car.

The A-Class is certainly bigger inside than its predecessor, but it still isn't among the largest hatchbacks on the market. The rear headroom and legroom aren't too bad, but awkward doors make it harder than it should be to get in and out. The boot space doesn't match rivals such as the Audi A3 or the VW Golf, and the load lip does get in the way when trying to put bulky items into the car.

One aspect where the A-Class does do very well is in the safety features that are included with the car, with seven airbags and a range of electronic stability and monitoring systems that help to keep the car on the road and safe in an accident. This helped the car to win the top mark of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests. Mercedes-Benz does enjoy a good reputation for reliability, and it is expected that the latest version of the A-Class will continue in this vein.

A significant problem with the A-Class is that the list price of £21,265 puts it into competition with the more luxurious versions of the Golf and the A3. The running costs are good rather than great, with the 1.6 litre petrol engine achieving an average 51.4mpg, while the insurance and tax costs aren't among the cheapest either.

Mercedes-Benz cars do tend to enjoy good resale values, but it is important to have the car regularly serviced at a dealer to get the best prices, as those with the desirable full dealer service history are likely to fetch a premium on the used car market. The three year unlimited mileage warranty is very good, while the A-Class also enjoys the superb Mercedes-Benz roadside breakdown assistance package.