Mercedes A-Class saloon - MPG, running costs & CO2

A slippery shape and Mercedes' latest engines make the A-Class saloon surprisingly affordable to run. The tapered tail of a saloon shape has better aerodynamics than the near-vertical boot of a hatchback, and engineers have spent many hours testing and adapting the A-Class saloon in the wind tunnel. The result is a model with less drag than any other production vehicle on sale – a mantle it takes on from the Mercedes CLA.

Mercedes A-Class saloon MPG & CO2

There are a wide range of engines available, unsurprisingly shared with the regular A-Class hatchback. Petrol buyers have four to choose from; the A 180, A 200, A 250 and the A 35 AMG. The two diesels are badged A 180 d and A 200 d, along with the A 250 e plug-in hybrid.

The A 180 and A 200 are different versions of the same 1.3-litre petrol engine, and both return up to 47.9mpg whether you go for the manual or automatic. We’d recommend the A 200 to private buyers, even if it is a little more expensive than the A 180. The A 250 offers respectable performance and returns 41mpg, while you can expect no more than 35mpg from the AMG-tuned A 35. Depending on the choice of gearbox, the two diesel engines return between 55 and 59mpg, but they’re more expensive to buy so only high-mileage drivers will recoup the savings.

Choosing one of the AMG Line trims unlocks the plug-in hybrid A 250 e. By adding an electric motor to the 1.3-litre petrol engine, it promises a 44-mile electric range and CO2 emissions of just 22g/km - compared to 126g/km and 133g/km for the most efficient diesel and petrol models respectively. As such, the plug-in hybrid offers very low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax for company-car drivers.

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Petrol and diesel A-Class saloons attract road tax at the standard VED rate each year, with the PHEV model incurring the discounted rate. It should be difficult (but not impossible) to select enough options to push the price of the A-Class saloon above the £40,000 barrier, at which point the additional surcharge is added in years two to six.

Insurance groups

The A-Class Saloon sits in group 18 for the A 180 d and 23 for the faster A 200, making it reasonable to insure for a car with the three-pointed star on its nose. The A 250 AMG Line sits in group 29 out of 50, reflecting its higher performance.

Warranty

The manufacturer's warranty lasts for three years, but unlike rival brand Audi, there's no cap on the mileage you can accrue in that time. For this period you'll also have the peace of mind of being covered by Mercedes Roadside Assistance should any faults crop up.

Servicing

Mercedes offers a 'ServiceCare' plan that covers the cost of servicing and can be paid for monthly, with flexible durations to suit customers. Around £30 a month can cover two services over two years, three services over three years or four services over four years.