Mercedes-Benz A160 Blue Efficiency (2009-) Review

Overview

• Next: Reliability and Quality

Things can get complicated if you are considering buying an A-Class. On the one hand it's a costly yet spacious supermini, but on the other it's a compromised, yet value-for-money small family hatchback with a posh nameplate.

And maybe, with that high driving position, you could consider it a compact MPV...

The Blue Efficiency A-Class models throw another spanner in the works. On the face of it, they make a lot of sense. These are more fuel-efficient, cheap-to-run versions and if you want something to bumble around in the city in comfort you won't go too far wrong. If you are a fleet manager looking for a low-cost option they are manna from heaven - and the new 64mpg A160 Blue Efficiency 2.0-litre CDI, in particular, should be the pick of the bunch.

But is it? You'll have to shell out £15,350 whereas a standard model with a 1.5-litre petrol engine is around £1,000 less. This is when you start to think that this Blue Efficiency business is nothing more than a cynical marketing tool.

So what's different about the Blue Efficiency models? Well, they have better aerodynamics to reduce drag, a more efficient engine, low-rolling resistance tyres, less weight to carry and an optimum gearshift indicator to help you keep your fuel consumption down. Fine, but you do have rack up a lot of miles to make it worth the extra £1,000, particularly when you consider petrol is cheaper than diesel.

And in the ultra-low-emitting 160 we tested, there's no stop/start technology like that on the 150 and 170 Blue Efficiency petrol models, so there's no real demonstrable difference to tell you that you're doing your bit for the environment.

However, the 160 CDI trumps the petrol models as far as green credentials are concerned. The 'Classic' spec we tested emits just 116g/km of CO2, which compares very favourably with the 150 petrol that emits 139g/km. If your main priority is to protect the planet, then the 160 Blue Efficiency CDI demands serious consideration.