Mercedes-Benz has launched ‘eco’ version of its popular A-Class model – but just how economical is it on the road? Motoring editor Peter Carroll tests it out.

Buying a Mercedes-Benz has never been particularly cheap – yet there’s one model that can be had for the price of a well-specified Focus.

It’s the A-Class, of course, and Mercedes’ entry-level car has been a big seller for the Germans, with some 125,000 examples sold in the UK alone since its launch in 1997.

The range was given a facelift last summer and now Blue Efficiency (the term Mercedes uses to denote its most eco-friendly cars) models are available too.

Famous badge

I was sent a A 150 Elegance SE model to test and liked the new look of the car with its beefier front end and bigger air intake. From the side it looks a little like the new Ford Focus – but there’s no mistaking that famous badge on the bonnet.

Inside, there’s a reassuringly high level of quality on offer, as you would expect from an Elegance SE model.

Standard features include automatically operating lights and wipers, a multi-functional steering wheel with trip computer, air conditioning, and smart 16-inch alloy wheels.

There’s a decent Audio 20 sound system with six speakers: it’s very easy to work your way through the radio stations and radio hams will appreciate the fact that both short and long wave bands are available as well as the usual FM and medium wave frequencies.

Some drivers may not like the fact that the windscreen wiper and indicators are on the same stalk, though you soon get used to it.

The price for this high-spec model starts at just over £16,000 on the road but the test car came with even more goodies including a ‘luxury pack’ featuring heated and electrically-adjustable leather seats and automatic climate control for an additional £1,500.

Desirable features

It also had a number of desirable features which were optional rather than standard, including parking sensors, hands-free phone wiring and metallic paint.

These add a further thousand pounds to the purchase price but help create a ‘big car’ feel from what is a fairly compact package.

The A-Class turns out to be a comfortable car, provided you like the raised driving position. All-round visibility is good, as is ride quality, with most bumps smoothed out.

Performance from the 1.5 litre petrol engine is adequate; the car is fine round town and happy on motorways but its lack of torque is noticeable when the time comes for overtaking.

But this is an eco-model anyway, so most people will probably be more concerned about its fuel economy rather than its performance.

Economy-boosting measures

The Blue Efficiency designation means this A-Class comes with economy-boosting measures including ‘stop start’ and a gear change indicator.

The stop start function operates off the footbrake rather than the handbrake and is supposed to boost consumption by up to nine per cent round town.

In practice, the figure I achieved was closer to the quoted urban figure of 38.7mpg rather than the combined cycle figure of 48.7mpg, so I guess you have to drive in a feather-footed manner to achieve maximum frugality.

With its twin-level boot, easy folding rear seats and sizeable load area the A-Class turns out to be a more family-friendly vehicle than the rival BMW 1 Series, though not as involving to drive.

I guess a Honda Jazz would do a similar job for five grand less – but then it won’t come with that coveted three-pointed star on the front.

By Peter Carroll

FACT FILE:

Model: A 150 BlueEfficiency Elegance SE

Price: From £16,364 (£19,036 as tested)

Engine: 1,498cc, four cylinders, petrol

Power: 95hp

Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox, front wheel drive

Top speed: 109mph

Performance: 0-62mph in 12.6 seconds

Economy: 48.7mpg on combined cycle

CO2 emissions: 143g/km

Length: 3,838mm

Gross weight: 1,740kg

Insurance group: 6

Servicing: Variable

Warranty: 3 years/ unlimited miles