DIFFERENT STROKES

The Mercedes A-Class is the definition of a premium hatchback - can the DS 4 deliver a fresh alternative?

CHOOSING a premium hatchback used to be easy. If you wanted something posh and small, you'd probably go for a German model, such as the Mercedes A-Class.

The smallest car in the firm's line-up is a solid choice because it looks smart, drives well and feels glitzy. Now there's a revised model, which gains subtle styling changes and updates to the powertrains and in-car tech. Here we're trying the new A 200 mild-hybrid petrol.

But is it still the default choice? The DS 4 might have something to say about that. The French upstart has already proved itself by beating the Audi A3 in plug-in hybrid form, but here we're testing it as a pure petrol. Does it have the talent to overcome the Mercedes too?

Mercedes A-Class

MODEL TESTED: Mercedes A 200 AMG Line Executive PRICE: £35,555 POWERTRAIN: 1.3-litre 4cyl turbo petrol MHEV, 161bhp

WE'RE testing the new Mercedes A-Class in its second most attainable trim: AMG Line Executive. The only optional extra fitted to this test car is the Sun Yellow paint, which adds £625, taking the on-the-road price to £36,155.

Tech highlights

WHILE some mid-life facelifts tend to be purely cosmetic, improved powertrains are the key focus of the revised A-Class line-up. The saloon-only A 250 e plug-in hybrid gains 6bhp from the electric motor (now 107bhp, for 215bhp in total), faster 11kW charging, and an electric range of up to 50 miles.