Mercedes A-Class saloon - Engines, drive & performance

The A-Class saloon is longer than the hatchback, but its chassis is near-identical and this is reflected in the driving experience. Older versions of A-Class were criticised for being too stiff and Mercedes has clearly been careful not to make the same mistake again. The A-Class saloon is certainly comfortable, but as a result it also doesn't feel quite as sharp to drive as an Audi A3 saloon or BMW 2 Series coupe.

It really comes into its own on the motorway, though, and long-distance drivers will love the smooth, calming ride. Its excellent aerodynamics help here, too, because the saloon smooths airflow so well that wind noise is noticeably reduced, boosting refinement to Mercedes C-Class levels.

You can also tighten up the driving experience by going for the A 250 in AMG Line trim, which still rides well on 18-inch alloy wheels, but offers handling we doubt the Mercedes C-Class could beat. Even on soaking wet roads it feels stable and secure, even if the steering is still lacking feel.

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Mercedes A-Class saloon diesel engines

An output of 114bhp sounds a bit anaemic, but the A-Class saloon's relatively light weight and snappy automatic gearbox mean its 10-second 0-62mph time isn't too sluggish. A top speed of 128mph also means the 70mph motorway speed limit is a relaxed affair.

Decent in-gear punch allows the A 180 d saloon to feel faster when you overtake or accelerate on to a motorway than the A 200. There's hardly any clatter or droning when you do, because the 2.0-litre diesel manages to be quieter and smoother than many of the larger diesels found in more expensive Mercedes models.

Above that is an A 200 d diesel with 148bhp. It manages 0-62mph in a brisk 8.2 seconds and a 141mph top speed.

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Petrol engines

Introduced especially for the A-Class, the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine is used in the 134bhp A 180 and 161bhp A 200 models. The extra power of the A 200 reduces the 0-62mph time from 9.3 to 8.3 seconds. That's impressive on-paper performance for such a small engine, aided by quick gearchanges from the optional seven-speed automatic, but driving enthusiasts may be disappointed. The A 200 can feel strained and gets quite vocal if pushed, so it's better suited to those with a light right foot. That's even more the case for the A 180; it feels a bit weedy in reality, so we'd only recommend the A 180 to urban drivers with a fairly low annual mileage.

For A 250 versions, the size of the turbo petrol engine increases to 2.0-litres, making it feel a lot more muscular at higher speeds. The A 250 can get from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph. With 221bhp, not only does the A 250 have plenty of punch but it's also smoother than the 1.3-litre and its seven-speed automatic works well.

Hybrid engine

Mercedes A-Class saloon buyers can also choose a plug-in hybrid, badged A 250 e. Its 215bhp output is just a whisker off the A 250 petrol, and its 6.7-second 0-62mph time is quick too. Even in electric mode it’ll go up to 87mph, but with the petrol engine running the top speed rises to 149mph. It has an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which can be quite jerky and unrefined to use, but the handling is secure and accurate enough for a car of this type.