Will I buy a plug-in-hybrid Mercedes A-Class?

Hi there,

I am considering trading in my diesel Volvo S90 for a Mercedes-Benz A 250 e plug-in hybrid. My mileage will be around 8,000-12,000km per year. What are the pros and cons, please?

Need to know if worth paying for a home charger - I am aware of the small grant. I drive for 30 mins to and from work three days each week, no regular long trips.

Thank you in advance for any tips!

Geraldine (Tipperary)

May 2026 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Geraldine,

If you buy the plug-in-hybrid A-Class, we'd strongly recommend you do get a home charger and you keep the car's battery topped up whenever possible – ideally on a cheap nighttime electricity rate. Otherwise it'll be no cheaper to run than the diesel Volvo.

Do that and it will cost very little to run due to your relatively low daily mileage.

A few other things to watch out for though: the Volvo is also a much larger and more comfortable car so you may find the Mercedes a step down in that regard. The Volvo is more luxurious as well.

Saying all that, the diesel engine is likely to need more expensive maintenance in the medium term, while the Mercedes should be relatively cost-effective in that regard.

Top tip when going for the A-Class: don't be taken in by attractive large alloy wheels, as they make the car more uncomfortable.

And as we say to all our readers, make sure you go and test-drive several examples of the car yourself, so you get a feel for what you like.

Do let us know how you get on.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor