MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS Hatchback 2005‑2012

I have owned this car for over a year now and its drive beautifully, very economic and comfortable, responsive when needed i would highly recommend it

This is a very easy car to drive, both in and around local town centres and also good on open roads and motorways. Easy to park and got very good viewing angles from drivers position. Good fuel economy. Clean car with original Merc mats in prime condition. Very low mileage as only used social and domestic.

This is my second A Class. I like the premium badge, raised driving position and the quality feel and build of the vehicle. Economy has been very good; up to 64 Mpg on a long run along the motorway. Annual Road Tax: £110.00 and I've found it pretty cheap to insure too (married 47 yr old man). I've used this vehicle mainly for a daily six mile commute, with the odd hundred mile plus journey at the weekend, mainly on dual carriageways / motorways. Sits five in comfort but, as with all A Class's, the suspension could be a little more forgiving.

Having decided to change our current vehicle, a 2011 plate Honda Jazz, for something with more space, due to the decreasing mobility of my father-in-law, both my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to find that the Mercedes A-Class surpassed many vehicles for its spaciousness, not to mention its ease of access.

Once my father-in-law (and most importantly - my wife) was sufficiently satisfied that he could slip into and out of the front passenger seat almost effortlessly, the time came to take the A-Class on a test drive.

As our local Mercedes dealership more or less leads straight onto a dual carriageway, we were all immediately struck by how little noise intruded into the cabin, as the vehicle was taken upto motorway speed, compared to our current vehicle, which readily allows road and wind noise to intrude.

Equally impressive was the rate at which it reached motorway speed, given there were four adults inside (sales executive included).

A former owner of a 2002 plate Audi A4 1.9TDi Sport, everything else we've driven since (a 2005 plate Seat Toledo & 2011 plate Honda Jazz) has failed to live upto the same levels of refinement. Test driving the A-Class, however, has helped us to appreciate just how rewarding a driving an experience can be (And why it makes sense to opt for a prestige marque).

The model we test drove, according to the on-board computer, averaged around 45mpg, which is what I currently average in the Jazz, which doesn't benefit from start-stop technology, so I'd expect my average consumption to be around 48 mpg.

Needless to say we cannot wait to take delivery of our brand new A-Class.

Upon delivery, I shall compile a further review on the reliability of the A-Class.

Overall the Mercedes A-class is a good hatchback, more affordable than the VW golf, but just as practical and offering the same badge premium.

Inside the car is surprisingly roomy, especially for the vehicle's size.

It is nicely trimmed; modern, german, and well put together using nice components.

After 107,000 miles, the interior is still in very good condition, despite or no attention.

To drive, I find the A-class grips quite well, though the engine is underpowered

The 7 speed auto is good enough, though more suited to a diesel or larger engine since the 1.5 petrol doesn't have sufficient torque to remain in the top 7th gear.

The power steering is very light, good for parking.

Mechanically though, the Mercedes A-class is very poor, or at least some parts of it are.

On my fathers Mercedes A-class, the list of things which have broken, which should have, is very long indeed:

The gearbox is broken

The engine management failed, resulting in the car having to be towed away.

The central locking has broken on what I think is now 4 occasions. 2 occasions being after it has been repaired.

The handbrake sensor failed.

I think there is also a number of other faults which have occurred outside of the usual wear and tear, and just outside of warranty.

Later models may have some of these design faults corrected, but I cannot vouch for that. I would hope so at least.

Overall, very disappointing build, despite being a good hatchback.

I recently purchased this little Benz, second hand, and under pressure from my wife to get something that was compact and easy to park. Always keen on the Golf TDI, I was looking for a turbo-charged diesel to suit the bill. I had recently returned from abroad and was driving a current Golf TDI hire vehicle, and had about 2 weeks to make a purchase. I test drove the A180 CDI and was smitten. The Golf was a tiptronic auto and so was the Benz. In Bath the hills and windy roads had 'confused' the Golf's transmission constantly and it had been a 'jerky' experience to say the least! The Benz is smooth, never faulting and is as quick and yet more economical than the VW. We have been using the Merc since September last year, easily returning mpg over 50, whether in town or on the motorway. It has heaps of room inside, an adequate boot and turns on a bottle cap! In a nutshell I cannot fault this exceptional vehicle!!

So this is my company car which was forced on me as I left my BMW 320d with a tear in my eye.

Firstly this car's proportions are bizarre. It looks small from the outside but is really quite spacious on the inside, it very much resembles driving a van with a high driving position and very flat floor. The boot is pitiful, I cannot get my golf clubs in without folding down one of the rear seats, which thankfully split 60/40.

The car is a lotter slower than the BMW with around 110bhp but is fairly capable on the motorway and pulls nicely in most of the gears, including 6th, with overtaking at speed easy without having to drop down a gear.

The feel of the car is not fantastic and the steering is a bit loose at times, it does not lend itself to being pushed into corners where it can feel a bit unstable.

I have owned this car for just under 24 months and have covered 44000 miles and can report that it has been pretty much trouble free. The car seems to go through quite a bit of oil but the high miles I do probably makes me feel like I am buying it more often than is normal.

The real saving grace for this car is the fuel economy. In the 44000 miles I have covered my current long term average is 47mpg and on long runs this often sits well into the 60mpg bracket.

In summary this is a decent car to own from an economical point of view but not particulalry enthralling to drive. It is well built and comfortable to drive and would be an acceptable workhorse for most families.

Well made small MPV. Spacious / roomy for size. Interior wears well. Getting in and out of the car is easey for the less mobile. Drive is good on motorways, cruses nicely; choppy on uneven B & C roads.

Couple of unexpected items failed: after 4 years the air con. compressor failed (Merc. contributed to cost) and after 5 years the steering rack had to be greased - it involved a day's labour (no contribution from Merc.) - very expensive tin of grease!

Brouchure indicates 42 mpg but I and many others only get 37-38 mpg. Gets quite thirsty driving into strong wind, though one doesn't generally feel buffeted too much

Have owned a golf and fiesta previously and looked and researched buying Golf, Qashqai, A3, Civic, BMW 1 series, Volvo C30 and even though at first my wife was dead against an A class, when I finally convinced her to climb in one, she was swayed. The only car in terms of quality that came close was the A3. The BMW seems too small and like a pregnant cat.

Known a few previous owners of the 1st series A class who tried to convince me to not consider it but I researched and it seems Merc learnt from the 1st series shortcomings. The drive isn't as great as other offerings but practicalities and build quality more than make up for it in our mind.

We managed to bag an Avantgarde with full leather seating. A sunroof would have topped it off nicely as would an integrated bluetooth handsfree kit but I bought a generic one which works just as well.

Did a trip across from London to east Poland and the Autobahn, the A class and me got on really really well. Also had a C service done and budgeted a grand but was pleasantly surprised with a bill for £400 - still a bit steep but I paid a premium for a Merc garage.

Highly recommend.

Very practical and spacious. Nice to drive and enjoy being high up gives you a good view. Not too expensive for petol/ insurance. Not had problems as yet but have heard services and parts are expensive!