Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars

The style of the car

It may be the smallest, most affordable Mercedes-Benz but the A-Class is just as stylish and classy as luxury Mercedes models. A brand-new version was launched in 2018, featuring different styling, a new interior and extra high-tech equipment. It’s also available with a saloon body, alongside the five-door hatchback. AMG-Line models have a sporty look, while the high-performance AMG models are sportier still.

How it drives

Every A-Class feels composed and secure on the road, and is quiet and comfortable even on a long journey. The high-performance AMG models are a lot of fun to drive and very fast. Its compact size makes it easy to drive and park the A-Class around busy city streets. You can choose from a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, all of which give good performance in any driving situation. The petrol-electric plug-in hybrid A250e was launched in 2019. Manual and automatic gearbox boxes are available and some models have four-wheel drive.

The interior

The A-Class is a compact five-seater that’s about the same size as the Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series. The latest version has a roomier interior than the older car, with space for four adults to sit in comfort. Both have plenty of space for children and two sets of Isofix mounts. Their boots accommodate a week’s worth of food shopping with space to spare and the back seats fold down for extra capacity. The saloon has a slightly bigger boot than the hatchback. A-Class interiors look great and are user-friendly, even if they don’t quite match the luxurious feel of more expensive Mercedes models. Still, all models come well equipped with air con, cruise control and smartphone connectivity. Top spec models can be lavishly equipped.

Running costs and reliability

Petrol-powered A-Class models give fuel economy of 33-55mpg, according to official figures. That shows the variety within the A-Class range, from the entry-level A160 to the very powerful AMG A45. Diesels give at least 52mpg and as much as 80mpg, depending on the model. Road tax and insurance costs are very reasonable for a premium brand car, though the AMG models cost a lot more to run. Both the latest and older versions of the A-Class were awarded a full five-star rating by safety experts Euro NCAP.

How it compares with similar cars

The A-Class is a rival for cars such as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf. There are more practical options than the A-Class but its quality, premium image and sheer variety of models hold a lot of appeal.