Classy, good to drive, safe and packed with technology, the Mercedes A Class stands among the best premium-badged options in the family car class. Although the entry-level diesel (A180d) makes most sense for the majority of A Class buyers, we really like the performance offered by the more powerful A250 petrol, and the benefit to company car drivers of the A250e hybrid. For outright comfort, though, a Volkswagen Golf is suppler, and a BMW 1 Series is more exciting in the bends.