Promised efficiency figures look very good on paper: a 45-mile electric range, as well as 24g/km CO2 emissions and, officially, up to 283mpg fuel economy. There's a 1.3-litre, 158bhp turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet, which is the same as you get in the A 200 model, but here there's a 101bhp electric motor and a 15.6kWh battery in order to ensure significant zero-emissions running capability and a total system output of 215bhp. It's got sharp, modern styling, a luxurious interior and some of the most advanced in-car technology on the market, plus ultra-low running costs – particularly for company-car users. The A250 e is an impressive plug-in hybrid model, no least because it offers most of what more expensive hybrids bring to the table at a lower cost of entry. Its main rival for the moment is the latest Volkswagen Golf GTE. It's arrived ahead of the competition, beating the BMW 1 Series plug-in hybrid and the new Audi A3 e-tron to showrooms. This badge is something the A-Class hybrid has in common with the larger C-Class, E-Class and S-Class plug-ins. If you're looking through the brochure, you'll need to find the A 250 e model, which is the plug-in hybrid's name. Mercedes is bringing out many new plug-in hybrid models, as it pushes to electrify nearly every model in its range - and the Mercedes A-Class hybrid is one of the most affordable examples.

Mercedes a class review