Inside the comfortable, attractive and kitted-up new Mercedes A-Class

NO ONE buys a Mercedes A-Class looking for value for money.

Nor do they do it needing outstanding breadth of ability.

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People buy an A-Class for one very specific reason – the three-pointed star on its nose.

And while it seems today’s electric car buyers are less swayed by badge snobbery – putting tech and efficiency first – in the more traditional world of internal combustion engine buyers, it is still a thing.

In the family hatchback department, the A-Class sits at the top of that tree with the highest price tag of the lot, starting at £31,905. That’s £3,615 more than a BMW 1 Series.

Or £4,045 more than an Audi A3.

But, in its fourth generation, the latest baby Merc has never felt quite so, well, properly Mercedes.

Every A-Class is now an automatic, with either seven or eight gears, controlled via a neat steering column-mounted stalk.

The interior is notably classier, in terms of design and fit and finish.

The 10in central touchscreen blends with the driver info panel, just like bigger and more expensive Mercs.

It features high-resolution graphics plus wireless connectivity to whatever flavour smartphone you might have.

All engines – two 1.3-litre petrols (136hp and 163hp) and the 2-litre diesel (150hp) have been upgraded with mild hybrid tech for an extra twist of efficiency.

And that’s it.

The range has been streamlined.

There is no longer a plug-in hybrid option on the list.

Practicality has never been this car’s strong point compared to rivals, premium or otherwise.

However, if you do need more space, more ride height, more seats or even more kerb appeal, there are a host of A-Class-based alternatives that Mercedes will happily sell you, for a price.

The A-Class saloon, for instance, or CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA or GLB in fact.

Comfortable, attractive and generously kitted-up from standard, the A-Class has always sold well on those terms, even if it’s not the most logical option to the bargain-hunting hatchback buyer.

The A-Class is an unsurprisingly good car.

It’s a Mercedes-Benz, after all.