THERE are many reasons why premium small cars are getting more popular, two major ones being that they make it more affordable to have an upmarket German car on the driveway and they offer big car comfort and equipment in a smaller, more fuel-efficient package.

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class could not be further removed from the unique and clever tall-boy original that famously failed the Elk test and toppled over, prompting a recall.

This time round the smallest Benz is a low-slung, sporty hatch more directly competing with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT200h, recently launched Volvo V40 and even the Volkswagen Golf.

Sharp pricing, bold exterior and interior styling, plenty of equipment and that three-pointed star on the bonnet mean the A-Class will fly out of showrooms – but is it any good?

In a word, yes.

Click the Our opinion link to read on...