These sporty hatchbacks costing €14,000 have at least 150 hp

In the past, if you were looking for a sporty car, Alfa Romeo and BMW were always on the list. Exotic enthusiasts, for example, went for a Triumph Dolomite Sprint or a Mazda with a rotary engine. The last two are long gone. Instead you have the 3 from Mazda, the Ford Focus or, as indicated, the Honda Civic and Seat Leon. However, for this comparison we chose a Mercedes-Benz A-class as the third option.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Turbo MultiAir 150 Super – 2017 – 147,218 kilometers – 13,950 euros

It was introduced in 2010 and we can call the Giulietta a timeless beauty. From the grille to the rear lights to the sporty interior, the people at Alfa Romeo did their best to create a beautiful hatchback over a decade ago. Nevertheless, sports enthusiasts did not have the Italian very high on their wish list, resulting in considerable depreciation.

Great for the used car buyer, because take this Alfa Romeo Giulietta: no less than four years younger than both Germans below. With less than a ton and a half on the clock, 150 hp under the voluptuous hood and delivered with a six-month Bovag warranty, it is no wretch. Neither is the Super equipment, although he does not directly refer his opponents to the second plan. It’s more the nuances. No xenon, but LED lighting, for example.

And of course the DNA button is also on board the PD-351-X (3 owners, in a relatively short time…). However, the Italian shows its sporty character much more: red decorative trim under the grille, brand logo in the headrests, dashboard clocks in deep recesses, racy pedal work and of course the beautiful wheels. Behind the wheel you feel comfortable, the steering itself is nice and sharp, the accelerator pedal response is the same and the sports suspension is firm, but not uncomfortable. The six-speed gearbox does not shift as smoothly as the BMW copy, but all in all it is a very good place for sporty family fathers.

And speaking of family, there is just a little more room in the back than in today’s opponents. With a standard capacity of 350 liters, the luggage compartment is not spacious, but that also applies to the others (1-series: 360 liters, A-class: 341 liters). However, the lifting threshold is no less than 20 centimeters higher than that of the Benz, so holidaymakers with weak backs should shop elsewhere. The same applies to safety enthusiasts, because in that area you do notice the age of the Giulietta.

Signaling

Brand Alfa Romeo

Type Giulietta 1.4 Turbo MultiAir 150 Super

Construction year June 2017

Mileage 147,218

Asking price €13,950

Where to buy? Autobedrijf Leenstra VOF, Gauw

Technical data

Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,368 cc, turbo

Max. assets 110 kW/150 hp at 5,500 rpm

Max. couple 230 Nm at 2,250 rpm

Luggage compartment 350 l/1,045 l

Max. trailer braked 1,300 kilos

Avg. consumption 1 in 18.2

0-100 km/h 8.2 sec

Top speed 210 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

BMW 118i High Executive – 2013 – 140,808 kilometers – 12,995 euros, excl. warranty

We already mentioned it: if you, as a family father, had not yet lost your wild hair, you bought a BMW -02 or Alfa Romeo Giulia. These models have evolved into the 3-series and the modern Giulia respectively, and in terms of price they are no longer accessible to everyone. Fortunately, Alfa had the Giulietta, BMW still has the 1-series. Although it did not attract everyone’s attention during its introduction in 2004, the compact Bavarian is still part of the BMW program. Convertibles and coupes/sedans were introduced over the years, but the three- and five-door hatchbacks remained the backbone of the 1. From the extensive range we chose this blue BMW 1-Series: slightly fewer kilometers than the Giulia, but four years older.

With 170 hp, it is nice and powerful and fast, and yet a thousand cheaper. But please note: this is the take-home price, warranty costs extra. Do it, because it is an import car (had one Dutch owner since 2021) and BMW maintenance is not cheap. With one of these you buy a used car that seems to be built around the driver. Low seating position (nice, those seat extenders), smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox immediately within reach, sharp steering response and wonderful handling (this one still has rear-wheel drive). Will the passengers come off badly? Well, the space in the back is not that bad and the trunk space also means that the 1 is not a spacious holiday trailer.

It is a High Executive so the equipment is extensive, with of course the unsurpassed iDrive button on the center console. The K-926-XR is also equipped with the M sports package, but looks slightly more subdued than the Giulietta, except for two exhausts and large bumper work. That actually characterizes the entire car: instead of warm and inviting, there is cool high-tech here, with the result, among other things, that this BMW is a lot further ahead than the Alfa in terms of safety.

Signaling

Brand BMW

Type 118i High Executive

Construction year March 2013

Mileage 140,808

Asking price €12,995

Where to buy? Auto Totaal Twello, Twello

Technical data

Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc, turbo

Max. assets 125 kW/170 hp at 4,800 rpm

Max. couple 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm

Luggage compartment 360 l/nb

Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos

Avg. consumption 1 in 17.5

0-100 km/h 7.4 sec

Top speed 225 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Mercedes-Benz A200 Prestige – 2013 – 163,253 kilometers – 13,999 euros

A Mercedes-Benz must always exude a certain authority, something that the first generations of the A-class (and also B) were quite lacking. In 2012, the Germans radically changed course: the high MPV became a low hatchback, with the aim of attracting younger customers. This was achieved, and the youngest guests naturally opted for the powerful AMG versions because of their exhaust pop. This Mercedes-Benz A-class is not that intense, except for the somewhat grotesque sports seats at the front. The L-566-SH is just the oldest and the most expensive, has the highest mileage and, like the 118i, has a foreign origin.

A one-year Bovag warranty is included, but still: you can expect something special for your coins with this information. Well, this Benz does not disappoint. With its various safety items, it is clearly the most modern of the three; The interior looks beautiful and high-quality and in our opinion it is somewhere between the ‘warm’ Giulietta and the ‘cool’ 118i. The first owner had various packages installed (including AMG Sport and Exclusive package), but the appearance of this used car remains quite modest. The interior space is also relatively modest. It’s not too bad at the front, but at the back you quickly reach its limits, even though the sales photo suggests otherwise.

The 2018 A-class is a bit more generous in all directions, so if the budget is too and the family is too, that could be an option. However, this A drives very well: beautifully direct and blessed with a chassis that has no problem with the 156 horses. The combination of springs and dampers make it a nice, sturdy whole, without losing sight of comfort. After all, it is an (authoritative) Mercedes-Benz. Nice cart!

Signaling

Brand Mercedes Benz

Type A200 Prestige

Construction year February 2013

Mileage 163,253

Asking price €13,999

Where to buy? Auto Corner Boxtel, Boxtel,

Technical data

Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,595 cc, turbo

Max. assets 115 kW/156 hp at 5,300 rpm

Max. couple 250 Nm at 1,250 rpm

Luggage compartment 341 l/1,157 l

Max. trailer braked 1,400 kilos

Avg. consumption 1 in 18.2

0-100 km/h 8.4 sec

Top speed 224 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these sporty family hatchbacks suits you?

In summary: with the A-class, Mercedes-Benz has nestled between recognized sporting heroes such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the BMW 1-series. But will it be the Italian temperament, the cool high-tech of the BMW or the mix of status and sportiness of the A? Or would you rather (and perhaps for less money or lower operating costs) a Focus, 3, Leon or Civic? We would like to hear it!