Mercedes A-Class review

The Mercedes A-Class has always been a compact hatch with one major selling point – that three-pointed star on the nose. But while its predecessors all lacked a little substance behind the badge, this latest generation is a genuine contender for class honours. Step inside and it blows its rivals away – the interior design and quality is wonderful, and the infotainment system is quite possibly the best on the market at any price.

Some rivals are more fun to drive and several are more comfortable, but the A-Class leads the class both in terms of refinement and efficiency. Invest in one of the higher grade infotainment set-ups, and the A-Class is one of the most high-tech hatches money can buy.

The latest Mercedes A-Class is the fourth generation of Mercedes’ smallest car. While the first two examples took on a mini-MPV design direction (with clever, if not particularly desirable, results), the most recent pair have gone for a more conventional five-door hatchback shape in order to compete directly with the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

The A-Class is an important model for Mercedes: in reality, it’s the brand’s biggest-seller, especially when taking into account the fact that official figures for the next most popular, the C-Class, roll saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet numbers into one grand total.

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The A-Class is available as a five-door hatchback and four-door saloon in the UK. As with the third-generation model, spin-offs from the same platform are available - including the four-door coupe CLA and GLA mini-SUV). 

There are nine trim levels for buyers of the hatchback to choose from. The SE (not available with the saloon body) kicks off the range with 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, heated half ‘Artico’ artificial leather/half fabric seats and a pair of seven-inch digital screens – one for the dials and another for the infotainment setup. 

Sport models feature upgraded 17-inch wheels and LED headlights, while the Sport Executive includes the Parking package as standard and a bigger infotainment touchscreen.

AMG Line versions add the usual sporty touches to the exterior trim and inside the cabin, while there's also the AMG Line Executive, Premium and Premium Plus variants that offer further luxury items and safety kit. The top Exclusive and Exclusive Plus specifications bring further AMG styling, unique paintwork and the Night package.

Engine choices are made up of three diesels and four petrol units. The A180 d uses a revised version of the Renault-sourced 1.5-litre diesel from the previous A-Class, the A 200 d gets a 148bhp 2.0-litre unit and the A 220 d gets the same again, but with 188bhp. A 1.3-litre turbo is offered in two power outputs in the A 180 and A 200, while the A 250 uses a 221bhp 2.0-litre turbo unit.

Both the A 180 and A 200 are available with a choice of six-speed manual and seven speed twin-clutch automatic gearboxes, while the A 200 d and A 220 d get an eight-speed twin-clutch automatic. 

There's also the A 250 e that gets the turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine, mated to a 15.6kWh battery and a 75kW electric motor. Total system output jumps from 158bhp to a more serious 215bhp.

A more spritely AMG A 35 is available in hatchback or saloon form and uses a new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, producing 302bhp and 400Nm of torque. Hot hatch fans will love the manic AMG A 45 S, featuring the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine - a bespoke turbocharged 2.0-litre unit with 415bhp.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes A-Class Hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk