Mercedes A150 Classic 3dr

The new A-Class's biggest selling point is its versatility. While the three-door is less practical than the five-door, there's still plenty of space inside, and the stylish looks will win favour. The A150 is a fine entry-level model; only the clumsy manual gearbox lets it down. Rivals are still better to drive, but few make as bold a statement as the new three-door A-Class.

With a line-up which will soon grow to include the new A, B and R-Class, Mercedes is taking niche people carriers seriously. But is there a market for so many different variations on the basic MPV? The company thinks so, and its three-door A-Class has just arrived in the UK to begin the process of proving it.

Despite being all-new under the skin, the latest A-Class has retained the look and proportions of the outgoing model. However, there is one crucial difference - it is now available with three doors as well as five. In removing two of the doors, the designers have been able to accentuate the A-Class's trademark reverse-angle C-pillar to give a more dynamic appearance.

In exchange for losing some versatility, buyers get a lower price and a welcome injection of style. The longer doors also make Mercedes' smallest model look more squat and muscular, while the £1,080 optional 18-inch alloy wheels complete the transformation from family transport to hot hatch.

However, not all three-door variants of the A-Class are performance-oriented. The A150 we drove was fitted with a newly developed version of the outgoing car's 1.5-litre petrol engine. Delivering 94bhp and 140Nm of torque, the entry-level unit will win no prizes for performance - but it is far from underpowered. The A150 covers 0-62mph in 12.6 seconds, and the revvy motor offers greater refinement than some of the larger units in the A-Class range.

While flagship cars get a six-speed manual gearbox, the A150 has a five-ratio unit. Despite employing the new mechanical design first seen in the revised C-Class, the transmission is still well behind rivals'. Coupled with a lack of clutch sensitivity, the long-throw gearstick and clunky changes will leave keen drivers disappointed. Buyers can choose to pay extra for a CVT, but it is the optional auto that's the pick of the bunch.

Out on the road, there are few differences between the way the three and five-door variants drive, as they share the same wheelbase and suspension. That means the sportier A-Class rides and handles with more comfort and stability than its predecessor, but we still think rivals such as the Audi A3 Sportback are more involving.

So what compromises does the new entry-level Merc demand? Key to the five-door's appeal is its neat flat-folding rear seat with removable squabs. Go for the three-door and you can expect similar levels of versatility, and there is still plenty of room for passengers, too.

As long as the front seats are not pushed to the back of their runners, rear legroom shouldn't be a problem - the only inconvenience is climbing in. At £13,655, the A150 Classic is the cheapest model in the new range, and costs £600 less than the equivalent five-door. But most buyers will opt for a more expensive and luxurious trim level.

With three-doors tipped to account for only 15 per cent of UK A-Class sales, Mercedes has modest aspirations for the sportier variant. But if you want distinctive looks with a measure of practicality, the base A-Class could be for you.