Mercedes A-Class Saloon review

While family hatchbacks are losing ground to fashionable SUVs in the sales charts, their traditional three-box counterparts are making something of a resurgence, and that’s especially the case when it comes to such aspirational models as the Mercedes A-Class Saloon.

Much of this renewed interest comes as executive car buyers turn to smaller cars in an effort to reduce tax and fuel bills. Those buyers will find the A-Class saloon of considerable interest, particularly as it offers a plug-in hybrid option as well as a huge range of traditional petrol and diesel engine choices.

There’s everything from a fleet-friendly 1.5-litre diesel with low CO2 emissions and a modest 114bhp, right up to the AMG A35 with a thumping 302bhp. The entry-level engine has a manual gearbox but everything else is automatic.

As for rivals, you’ll probably be looking at the Audi A3 Saloon, but there’s also the slightly sleeker Mercedes CLA, too. Alternatively, you might want to consider the Hyundai i30 Fastback or Mazda 3 Saloon if your budget is a little more modest. However, it's also worth pointing out you can buy far larger cars such as the Volkswagen Passat and giant Skoda Superb for the price of an A-Class Saloon.

So, is it a worthy alternative to bigger executive cars? Read on to find out what it’s like inside, how spacious it is and what it’s like on the road. And if it ticks the right boxes for you, our New Car Buying service is on hand with big savings on the A-Class Saloon and hundreds of other cars without any tedious haggling.