IF YOU wanted a small four-door Mercedes-Benz in the past, but hated the sleek and swoopy styling of the CLA ‘coupe’, you were out of luck.

However, the introduction of the A-Class sedan gives Mercedes another model in its ever-growing quest to fill every vehicle niche conceived, and often not thought of yet.

As a more sedate, mildly-styled alternative to the soon-to-be-replaced and much-larger-than-before CLA, the A-Class sedan should appeal to a more mature buyer looking to downsize or even a first-time Mercedes customer who doesn’t regularly hit up the ‘gram.

Largely mirroring the A-Class hatchback in specification, but also with a larger boot and more comfortable seats, does the premium small-car sedan stack up to a boring purchase?