GIVEN THE LARGE number of family hatchbacks on sale (there are 18 reviews of them alone on the What Car? website), trying to whittle down a shortlist could be a challenge. Life is a bit easier if you're after one that wears a premium badge, though; there are just three main options to choose from. The Mercedes Benz A-Class is one of them, and has been battling it out against the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series for the past decade.
The current version is the most convincing yet, and it's just been treated to an update. You'll have to look quite carefully on the outside to spot the tweaked front and rear lights and more sculpted bonnet.
Meanwhile, the list of changes to the interior is barely any longer than the vegan menu in a fast food restaurant. What few there are make a big difference, though.
For a start, while entry-level models previously had a 7.0in digital instrument panel that looked a little low-rent for a premium car, all trim levels now come with a 10.3in display that's much sharper to look at and has a wide range of layouts to choose from.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lexus RZ 450e+ Takumi Bi-tone
Greater stamina and a lower price would have enhanced our opinion of this upmarket electric SUV
Audi A6 Avant 45 TFSI quattro Sport
Our new posh estate has to deal with a mega-miles commute and an older sibling. How will it get on?
Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Evolution
It's our reigning Small Car of the Year, but will the latest Clio continue to impress in daily use? We're finding out
ALL POSHED UP
Looking to buy an upmarket SUV? For around £35,000, you could have a new Lexus LBX or a used BMW X1. Let's see where your money should go
JOINING UP THE TOTS
Small, cheap cars bring numerous benefits, especially if most of your driving is around town. We take three leading examples on a road trip to see which of them paints the most complete picture
GRIPPING STUFF
Tyre choice can make a huge difference to how your car behaves in changeable weather. We search for the best
Audi A6 e-tron
BMW i5 rival uses the same tech as the Q6 e-tron SUV for serious pace and range On sale Late 2024 Price from £62,000 (est)
Renault Symbioz
Slightly smaller than Renault's existing Austral, this new hybrid family SUV has its sights set firmly on the popular Nissan Qashqai On sale Now Price from £29,295
Volkswagen Golf
Family car celebrates its 50th birthday with an update, including much-improved infotainment On sale Now Price from £27,035
Hyundai Tucson
Update for Hyundai's family SUV includes a redesigned interior and a revised engine line-up On sale Now Price from £32,000