Skip advert
Advertisement

New Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 2023 facelift review

The hottest Mercedes A-Class benefits from changes introduced on rest of the range

Overall Auto Express rating

4.5

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes A-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

We were big fans of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S before it was updated – and we still are. While some subtle styling changes and improvements to the in-car tech have been introduced, the same outlandish personality remains. That AMG has managed to deliver a car with stunning speed, yet so much involvement, and combined this with a sensible five-door body is astonishing. The A 45 S remains one of the best Mercedes models you can buy.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes has given its A-Class a little nip and tuck for 2023. We’ve already sampled the changes to the standard family hatch, but now it’s the turn of the AMG models. Both the A 35 and A 45 S receive a little attention, but it’s the hotter of the two cars that we’re trying here.

We reckon that Mercedes struck a great balance between subtlety and menace the first time around, so it’s a good thing that changes to the A 45’s looks are minimal.

The headlights have revised LED internals and flank a grille that has been reshaped. Look closely and you’ll see that the traditional three-pointed star above the grille has been replaced by the AMG logo. There are revised lights at the back, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

3008

2018 Peugeot

3008

59,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £11,960
View 3008
Ateca

2025 SEAT

Ateca

19,591 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,086
View Ateca
C-HR

2022 Toyota

C-HR

30,493 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,790
View C-HR
C3 Aircross

2019 Citroen

C3 Aircross

49,228 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £8,999
View C3 Aircross

The interior tweaks mirror those in the rest of the A-Class range. The key change comes with an improved version of the MBUX infotainment system. It’s very slick, with quick loading times and razor-sharp graphics. It also introduces some new menu structures that will appeal to keen drivers, because it’s now much easier to switch between the drive modes and customise each one to your specific taste.

Better still is the fact that a small round dial on the right-hand spoke of the steering wheel lets you switch between drive modes on the fly, while the one on the left allows you to configure specific features, such as the exhaust note, damper modes and gearbox. The buttons don’t just look cool, they’re also incredibly intuitive – unlike the slightly fiddly touch-sensitive switches for the stereo and cruise control.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The upgrades to the A 45 don’t alter anything from a mechanical point of view, so it hasn’t got any hotter. But then, it’s not as if it needed to; there are many sports cars that can’t match its staggering pace.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps out 415bhp and 500Nm. Engage launch control and it’ll crack the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.9 seconds.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But there’s far more to the A 45 S’s character than straight-line speed. First, there’s the engine itself. While some four-cylinder motors sound a little flat and charmless, this unit is eager and angry. Full-bore upshifts (the gearbox is at its best flat out, but occasionally clunky when driving calmly) are accompanied by a pop from the four tailpipes in the exhaust’s more loutish mode. Some engine-noise augmentation is piped through the speakers, but it’s subtle enough to feel authentic.

The A 45 is just as quick around the corners, too. Grip is phenomenal, and on a dry road you’ll have to work extremely hard to breach its limits. Turn-in is razor sharp, and four-wheel-drive traction lets you get on the throttle very early. In fact, the only time that you’re likely to hear the tyres protest is under heavy braking, when the hugely powerful brakes slow the car, but keep it nice and stable.

If all that sounds like it could produce something a little one-dimensional, then you’d be wrong. There are plenty of hot hatches that are almost as quick point to point, but it’s much rarer to find one that can also deliver an engrossing level of interaction. The A 45 is one of very few cars that does so while making the driver feel like they’re making the difference.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Everything starts with the car’s basic controls. The steering, though fairly light, feels wonderfully precise and loads up naturally through the corners, giving you enough feedback to trust the front axle. It’s a fast set-up, but it’s well matched to the chassis.

The damping is also superb. There’s enough forgiveness in the settings to allow the A 45 to flow with the road, but enough control to keep the body in check at higher speed. Because it’s not so stiff, you can both feel the suspension load up through corners, and use the steering and throttle to adjust the car’s attitude mid-corner. In short, it’s a huge amount of fun.

That suspension tuning also brings benefits elsewhere. When you’d just like to relax, the AMG is really quite comfortable. Even in its firmest setting it’s not harsh, mainly because the springs and dampers isolate the most aggressive bumps from the cabin. The only downside when it comes to refinement is road noise, which is quite noticeable from those fat tyres.

Prices for the revised Mercedes-AMG A 45 S start from £63,285 – and we’d be the first to admit that that is strong money for a hot hatchback. But in terms of what this car can offer – huge speed, feel and practicality – there are very few cars costing similar money that can provide so much.

Model:Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+
Price:£63,285
Engine:2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power/torque:415bhp/500Nm
Transmission:Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph:3.9 seconds
Top speed:168mph
Economy:30.7mpg
CO2:208g/km
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,831 off RRP*Used from £15,519
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025