There have been no changes to the chassis, which means all the same qualities and quirks remain, although overall the A-Class is nicely resolved. You sit low in the car, the steering is quick and naturally weighted, turn-in bite is sharp and it can be hustled through corners with accuracy and very little body roll. The BMW 1 Series and Ford Focus are more engaging, but there’s little wrong with the way the A-Class attacks an apex. It’s not exactly an uplifting experience, but it is poised, grippy and predictable and rarely upset by mid-corner bumps, despite the relatively firm ride.
Ah yes, the ride. As before, there’s a little inconsistency, the A-Class coping well with smoothly surfaced undulations at speed but feeling brittle and stiff-legged around town or over sharper imperfections, a situation no doubt exacerbated by our AMG Line model’s standard 18in alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile 225/45 rubber. There’s also a surprising amount of road roar, spoiling the otherwise impressive isolation of the cabin.
Speaking of which, the A-Class provides just as much practicality as you would expect for its footprint. Those in the back get decent head and leg room, but the small side windows and high-backed front seats mean you feel a little hemmed in.
Elsewhere, the 355-litre boot is only average for the class and its versatility is undermined by the fact that any underfloor storage space is taken up by some of the 48V gubbins and a subwoofer for the sound system.
Despite the fairly limited changes, the A-Class remains a classy and composed contender in the under-pressure family-hatch segment. Is it enough to muscle its way between the EVs and SUVs and lift it back into top 10 contention? That’s probably a tough ask, and that’s before you consider prices that start at a hefty £31,880, which is around £1000 more than an equivalent 1 Series.
Still, with its blend of premium appeal, classy looks and a relatively polished driving experience, it has as good a chance as any of its traditional rivals as the ICE car faces its twilight years.
