Glendal's Favorite Reviews

Over the years the Mercedes A-Class has morphed from what was an innovative rethink on the small MPV to a gawky also-ran, before a total redesign in 2012 turned it into a thoroughly competitive premium family hatchback. Now Mercedes has had another innovative rethink with the fourth-generation A-Class. The latest version takes its design inspiration from the firm鈥檚 new, high-end models such as the CLS, while the interior promises to offer a level of tech and quality pretty much unseen before in this sector. But this area of the market is packed with premium rivals that have proven their ability time and again. First up is the Volkswagen Golf, which has become the benchmark in this class over decades of evolution. In its current Mk7.5 form it delivers space, economy, quality and a great level of technology. Mercedes does battle across the board with Audi, and on paper that brand鈥檚 A3 Sportback is a package with which the A-Class is closely aligned and will have to beat.

Solid driving dynamics and cool tech mean the Audi provides a stern test. However, our winner will have to blend a long list of attributes, while the financial factor will also come into it. So let鈥檚 find out which car is the strongest offering. As is the way with the latest car in any class, there鈥檚 lots of new tech for this 2018 Mercedes A-Class. We鈥檙e testing the A 200 petrol in AMG Line trim, which starts at a fairly pricey 拢28,700 - but its rivals cost similar money, too, so can it beat them? The A-Class鈥檚 downsized engine boasts more power than its VW Group rivals, and on test it asserted its authority, taking the car from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, which was four tenths faster than the Volkswagen and the Audi. The power advantage came to the fore once more during our in-gear assessments, where the A 200 just shaded its competitors in most of the tests. However, it was not by a such a margin that the A-Class had a discernable advantage on the road.

But the engine does feel more strained than the 1.5 turbo units in its rivals, which is partly due to the drone it makes under load. The power delivery has a few noticeable steps lower down in the rev range, too, and isn鈥檛 as smooth as either the VW or Audi. That is also true of the ride. It鈥檚 not the most forgiving at low speed and despite that more sophisticated multi-link rear axle, the A-Class struggles to cope with faster, harsher imperfections, jiggling the body and, consequently, the occupants around inside. Things smooth out at higher speed and the Mercedes deals with rolling road surfaces well, but a big, jagged bump will still clatter up through the suspension. There鈥檚 a good degree of composure, though, and while the car feels benign it does inspire enough confidence thanks to its stability. Testers鈥?notes: All A-Classes have lowered sports suspension, so if you鈥檙e after more ride comfort than dynamic handling, think about the trim you choose. In every sense the Volkswagen Golf is the car the A-Class has to beat.

It鈥檚 our current favourite family hatchback and blends premium appeal with practicality and technology. At 拢26,980, this 1.5 TSI EVO DSG model in R-Line trim is the cheapest here. The powertrain is a known quantity, and at our test track it performed well, with a smooth swell of torque low down (250Nm to match the Mercedes, but produced lower down from 1,500rpm) that delivered decent acceleration. The transmission makes up for a slight lack of performance, too. With the powertrain shared with the A3, the VW and Audi鈥檚 dual-clutch boxes are more accomplished than the Mercedes鈥? They shift quicker in manual mode and are slightly smoother in auto, too. Thanks to our car鈥檚 拢850 Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers, the Golf鈥檚 damping is as pliant and plush as ever, even on 拢500 optional 18-inch alloys. The larger wheels mean it thumps over potholes a little more, but the damping is still more forgiving at low speed than in the A-Class. At higher speeds on country roads those larger wheels and lower-profile tyres help, because the Golf delivers all the agility you could realistically want from a family hatch. But this doesn鈥檛 compromise ride quality or refinement, either.