The best alternatives to the Mercedes A-Class

Want a premium hatchback but you’re not sold the Mercedes A-Class? Take a look at our top 10 alternatives to see how they compare

Many moons ago premium hatchbacks were a rare breed, but there are now a number of cars in this segment, and one of the most popular is the Mercedes A-Class. It’s a popular car for good reason, being sleek, plush, well-made and offering a variety of trims and engines. But life would be nothing without variety, and some people may simply want something different.

So if you’re in the market for a premium hatch that’s an alternative to the Mercedes A-Class, here are our top 10 picks.

1. BMW 1 Series

2. Audi A3

3. Volkswagen Golf

4. Mazda 3

5. Mini Clubman

6. DS 4

7. Cupra Born

8. Mercedes CLA

9. Peugeot 308

10. Kia Ceed

1. BMW 1 Series

• Most popular model: BMW 1 Series M Sport 118i 136 Step Auto
• Gearbox: dual-clutch automatic
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 136hp
• 0-62mph: 8.8secs
• Boot space: 380 litres

BMW made a bit of a splash when the first-generation, driver-focussed, rear-wheel-drive 1 Series launched in 2004, because prior to this point hatchbacks – be they premium or mainstream – were almost all front-wheel drive. The latest 1 Series – now in its third generation – has become back to front-wheel drive (partly as research indicated owners didn’t know it was a RWD car), but it’s no less of a premium hatchback for that.

You can have your 1 Series in a variety of flavours, from the frugal diesel 116d to the performance-focussed 128ti. M Sport trim remains the most popular specification, while passenger space is decent, and the infotainment system is one of the best in the business. Plus, despite the switch to rear-wheel drive, the 1 Series is the best-handling car in this class. Just be sure you’re happy with the looks at the front, which aren’t to all tastes.

2. Audi A3

• Most popular model: Audi A3 Sportback Technik 30 TFSI
• Gearbox: manual
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 110hp
• 0-62mph: 10.6secs
• Boot space:  380 litres

The 1 Series may have been the first rear-wheel drive hatchback to have launched in some years, but it had stiff competition in the form of the Audi A3, which debuted in 1996, and has gone from strength to strength since then.

With less of a focus on handling and more on sharp looks, few would argue that the A3 is a more neatly styled car than its rival. The cabin is modern and technologically advanced, while material quality is strong. There could be a little more headroom in the back seats, but with a wide engine range and the option of quattro four-wheel drive, the A3 ticks a lot of boxes as a Mercedes A-Class rival.

3. Volkswagen Golf

• Most popular model: Volkswagen Golf R Line 1.5 eTSI 150 DSG
• Gearbox: dual-clutch automatic
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 150hp
• 0-62mph: 8.2 secs
• Boot space: 381 litres

Something of a default choice for those after a premium hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf is a classic, timeless model that also manages to be classless in the best sense of the word. The latest Golf is the eighth model to wear the Golf badge, and its sleek, modern looks continue to cut a dash on the road.

True, the infotainment system and capacitive buttons on the steering wheel may take a little getting used to, but there’s a wide range of trims and options available. There are also tonnes of versions: the plug-in hybrid GTE, the performance diesel GTD and the iconic hot hatch GTI all ensure there’s a Golf for almost everyone, while those after more space can hunt out the Estate model.

4. Mazda 3

• Most popular model: Mazda 3 SE-L 2.0 e-Skyactiv G MHEV
• Gearbox: six-speed manual
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 122hp
• 0-62mph: 10.4 secs
• Boot space: 351 litres

For an alternative to the popular Germanic trio lifted above, turn west to Japan, and consider the handsome Mazda 3. With a focus on handling similar to that of the BMW 1 Series, and one of the sweetest manual garboxes in the entire automotive industry, the Mazda 3 has become something of a well-kept secret for those who like sharp looking, sharp handling hatchbacks.

The interior is another 3 high point, with Mazda making the conscious decision to fit physical buttons and knobs rather than consigning functions to touchscreens and capacitive buttons – something many drivers will prefer. The only real downsides are that the boot could be a little bigger, while the rear seats could do with more headroom.

5. Mini Clubman

• Most popular model: Cooper
• Gearbox: six-speed manual
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 136hp
• 0-62mph: 9.2 secs
• Boot space: 360 litres

If you’re after a slightly quirky alternative to the Mercedes A-Class, the Mini Clubman is well worth considering. It’s technically an estate car with unusual twin ‘barn’ doors that are hinged at the outer edges, but the boot isn’t much more spacious than a conventional hatchback.

The Clubman is certainly characterful, though, with a retro-inspired cabin that’s crammed with modern technology (this is partly thanks to Mini being owned by BMW), while the handling is as fun as you would expect from a car wearing the Mini badge. Choose from the 136hp Cooper, the peppy 178hp Cooper S, or the outright sporty 306hp JCW version, then think about how you want to personalise the car, as Mini offer myriad options.

6. DS 4

• Most popular model: DS 4 Bastille + 1.2 PureTech EAT8
• Gearbox: automatic
• Fuel type: petrol
• Power: 130hp
• 0-62mph: 10.8 secs
• Boot space: 430 litres

Another less obvious choice, DS is Citroen’s premium brand of cars, and the DS4 is a sleekly styled hatchback that cuts a dash on the road, and offers a thoughtfully styled cabin that stands out from the crowd with its distinctive choice of materials and control designs.

It’s not the last word in driver excitement, and room in the back could be more generous, but the boot is a good size, the engines range from an entry-level 1.2-litre petrol to a 225hp 1.5-litre (there’s also a frugal diesel and a plug-in hybrid), while it’s a comfortable car on a cruise, and there’s little else for this money that offers the same sense of occasion inside.

7. Cupra Born

• Most popular model: Cupra Born V1 150kW 58kWh Auto
• Gearbox: automatic
• Fuel type: electric (259-mile range)
• Power: 204hp
• 0-62mph: 7.3 secs
• Boot space: 385 litres

Previously the performance sub-brand of SEAT, Cupra was spun off as a standalone marque in 2018, offering sporty performance and snazzy design details like matte copper trim details as a signature design flourish. The Cupra Born is the firm’s electric car, and while it may be mechanically similar to the Volkswagen ID.3, there’s a strong argument to be made that it’s a sleeker, more handsome car.

The Born is offered with battery options that give everything from a 211-mile to a 335-mile official range, while the interior is practical, spacious, and has enough neat styling touches to be interesting. It could be slightly more interesting to drive, and the infotainment system could be a little less laggy, but if you’re after an electric alternative to the Mercedes A-Class, the Born will certainly see you stand out from the crowd.

8. Mercedes CLA

Most popular model: CLA AMG Line CLA 180 Tip Auto
Gearbox: automatic
Fuel type: petrol
Power: 136hp
0-62mph: 9.0 secs
Boot space: 460 litres

Mercedes has such a broad model range that it offers its own rival to the A-Class: the Mercedes CLA. This offers a coupe-inspired take on a car of the A-Class’s rough size, while also being a four-door model, making it a similarly sensible choice for family buyers.

We say similarly, because while the CLA’s boot is a decent size, its saloon format means it’s intrinsically less practical than a hatchback – though you may feel that the curvaceous looks are more than enough to make up for that. The interior is also impressive, with the widescreen infotainment system lending the CLA a truly modern feel inside. You’ll need a little more money to grab a CLA over an A-Class though, as it four-door coupe is roughly £3,000 more than its hatchback cousin.

9. Peugeot 308

Most popular model: 308 Allure Premium 1.2 PureTech EAT8
Gearbox: automatic
Fuel type: petrol
Power: 130hp
0-62mph: 9.7 secs
Boot space: 412 litres

Peugeot has continued its push upmarket with the latest 308, which looks great from the outside, and has an interior to match, with a classy atmosphere, nice design details and a high-quality finish.  The engine range starts with a 130hp 1.2-litre and includes a 1.5-litre diesel and a plug-in hybrid, while all models are pretty well equipped, and Premium Allure is a decent middle ground of the range.

The only slight niggles are an automatic gearbox (there’s no manual option) that can be a little hesitant, particularly when paired with the 1.2-litre petrol engine), while the small steering wheel won’t suit all tastes, as it sits lower than you might expect, and you view the dashboard screen through it, rather than over it.

10. Kia Ceed

Most popular model: Kia Ceed GT-Line 1.5T GDi ISG
Gearbox: manual
Fuel type: petrol
Power: 158hp
0-62mph: 8.4 secs
Boot space: 395 litres

The Kia Ceed was recently facelifted, bringing a new front-end design and a few upgrades to the interior, which helps keep it fresh. Kia has continued its push upmarket with the Ceed, and while it’s a little down on the A-Class in terms the interior design, it’s a fair bit more affordable than the Mercedes A-Class.

The GT-Line model brings a 10.25-inch infotainment system, a reversing camera and a few sporty touches such as the twin exhausts, while the turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine offers decent performance. It may not be the most exciting car to drive but the Ceed is a handsome enough machine. The fact it starts at over £6,000 less than an A-Class certainly doesn’t help, either.