Mercedes A-Class Review

The latest Mercedes A-Class sets itself apart from others with technology and quality

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Stylish looks
  • Plenty of tech
  • One of the best interiors in class
  • Firm ride
  • Expensive
  • Not the roomiest inside

The Mercedes A-Class is one of a group of hatchbacks considered to be more upmarket, with a posh interior and the all important Mercedes badge glistening on the front. It competes directly against the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 as one of the three most expensive models of this size, but the A-Class does represent the cheapest way to get hold of a brand new Mercedes.

It costs from £25,975 as a brand new car, putting it right in the middle of the more expensive 1 Series and the cheaper A3, but considering it's 'cheapest Mercedes' status, it still features much of the tech you'd find in a more expensive Mercedes E-Class.

There are cheaper alternatives you could look at if you're keen to save some cash though, the likes of the Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 are great to drive and offer plenty of practicality.

It's the interior where the A-Class really stands out from the competition. It looks high-quality thanks to all that tech that's been handed down from larger Mercedes models; even the most basic entry-level models feature advanced software that brings extra functions, including voice control through the Mercedes MBUX system that can learn your daily habits and favourite radio stations. The actual build quality is questionable alongside the likes of the Audi A3.

High-specification models have a pair of 10.3-inch touchscreen media displays on the dashboard that are joined together to resemble a large widescreen - it's considerably more futuristic and impressive than the smaller displays used by competitors.

There's also a seven-inch digital instrument display as standard behind the steering wheel, along with a touchpad for controlling all the on-board computers and organising your displays to show the information you prefer - speed, RPM or sat-nav for example.

In terms of safety, Mercedes offers extra features such as Active Lane Change Assist to help you maintain your direction on a motorway for example, or change lane for you as and when you indicate to do so - this comes at an additional cost.

The inclusion of other more standard technology has helped the A-Class achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, scoring over 90% for adult occupancy, child occupancy, and for protection for vulnerable road users including cyclists and pedestrians.

There's also a saloon version of the A-Class on sale, this proves much the same as the hatchback, other than a change to the shape of the boot, which also makes the car 130mm longer.

 

Key facts

Warranty 3-years / Unlimited miles
Boot size 360/1,210 litres
Width 1,796mm
Length 4,531mm
Height 1,440mm
Tax (min to max) £165-205 in the first year, £140 thereafter


Best Mercedes-Benz A Class for...

Best for Economy – Mercedes A180d

The smallest diesel engine is, according to official figures, the most economical, claiming 68.9mpg on a combined cycle.

Best for Families – Mercedes A200

The A200 is a good middle ground for families, especially those who don't cover lots of motorway miles.

Best for Performance – Mercedes AMG A35

The hot-hatch version of the A-Class makes just over 300hp and can do the 0-62mph dash in 4.7s. But if you think that's impressive, keep an eye out for the 400hp AMG A45 version, due in late 2019.

History

  • March 2018 A-Class makes first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show
  • March 2018 Dealers start taking orders  
  • May 2018 first models arrive in the UK
  • September 2018 A-Class Saloon goes on sale
  • November 2018 A 200 d Sport and A 220 d AMG Line go on sale
  • Early 2019 First deliveries of saloon
  • Early 2019 AMG A35 versions go on sale in UK
  • Late 2019 Mercedes-Benz extends the A-Class range, offering more trim and engine choices across both its hatch and saloon models

Understanding Mercedes-Benz A Class names

Trim AMG Line

Mercedes offers three trim basic levels – SE, Sport and AMG Line. SE is the cheapest, Sport is the mid-range, and AMG Line is the most expensive. For late 2019, the marque has also added Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus, which bundles further equipment on to the package.

Engine A200

There are four engines currently available, two petrols and two diesel units. The A180 and A200 petrols are 1.3-litre, and the A250 is a 2.0-litre. The A180d is a 1.5-litre diesel and the A200d and A220d are both 2.0-litre. Mercedes-AMG offers a potent version of its 2.0-litre petrol in the A35 AMG model.

Gearbox Automatic

There are now three gearbox options - choose between either a seven or eight-speed automatic, the other is a six-speed manual.

Mercedes-Benz A Class Engines

Petrol: A180, A200, A250, A35 AMG Diesel: A180d, A200d, A220d

The A-Class is really only available with four engines, although both diesel and petrol is offered in various states of tune.

The entry level petrol engine is badged A180 and is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 136 hp.

The A200 is essentially the same engine, except that it produces 163 hp. Neither feel quick. They are also pretty loud when being thrashed, however, fuel consumption for both is good. Officially, the A180 will do 51.4mpg, and the A200 will achieve 53.3mpg - both pretty strong for petrol engines. Both can shut off two (out of four) cylinders when they’re not needed to cull energy consumption.

Mercedes has dropped the A220 petrol engine, leaving a range-topping A250, which uses the same 2.0-litre engine, but it makes a strong 224hp. It will get from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, which is pretty quick for a small car. This is just as fast as some hot hatches like the Ford Fiesta ST. But it’s less economical than the other petrols on offer, with an official figure of 47mpg.

If you fancy something properly hot, there’s the A35 AMG. This has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine making 306hp and it will despatch 0-62mph in 4.7seconds, as well as hit an electronically limited 155mph. This is fast, if not faster than other hot-hatches, but, expect there to be an even hotter A45 AMG model along in the future.

The A180d is the cheapest diesel of the three on offer. The 1.5-litre engine is the most economical of the lot too (70.6mpg). On paper this is the slowest engine, and in real life, it is also by far the slowest. It's great for motorways with the cruise control dialled in to 70mph, but not so brilliant at overtaking on B roads.

The latest additions to the A-Class engine range are the A200d and A220d. Both are a 2.0-litre diesels, but the A200d offers up 148hp and a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds, while the A220d makes 187hp and dispatches 62mph in 7 seconds. Fuel consumption is impressive, with 70.6mpg and 67.3mpg respectively touted in the official book.

Model

Fuel

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration (0-62mph)

Top speed

A180

petrol

53.3mpg

136hp

9.2s

134mph

A220

petrol

53.3mpg

163hp

8.0s

140mph

A250

petrol

47.9mpg

224hp

6.2s

155mph

AMG A35

petrol

38.7mpg

306hp

4.7s

155mph

A180d

diesel

74.3mpg

116hp

10.5s

125mph

A200d

diesel

70.6mph

148hp

8.1s

137mph

A220d

diesel

67.3mpg

187hp

7.0s

146mph

Mercedes-Benz A Class Trims

SE, Sport, Sport Executive, AMG Line, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus

When the A-Class launched, there were just three trim levels for owners to pick from, but Mercedes-Benz has attempted to reduce customer reliance on the extensive option and package bundle lists with a few additional levels.

Mercedes is still concentrating on technology with the A-Class, so even the base specification SE gets a touchscreen display including a ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice recognition system, plus, twin seven-inch displays. On the outside there are 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB Radio, Artico artificial leather seats, Active Lane Keeping, Speed Limit Assist, Keyless Go, air conditioning, and sat-nav with real time traffic, and climate control. Active brake assist is also standard. Note that the saloon is not available in SE spec.

Upgrading to Sport adds LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and automatic climate control, while AMG Line models get 18-inch alloy wheels, an AMG-branded bodykit, and a three-spoke AMG steering wheel. Stepping up to AMG levels also adds larger 10.3-inch touch screen displays.

Where previous packages were added to throw in extra equipment, Mercedes has now bundled these in to Sport Executive, AMG Line, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus.

This sees options, such as Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, which searches for a suitable parking space and then helps you to park in it, added to AMG Line Executive models. AMG Line Premium goes one step further and throws in keyless entry, wireless charging for smartphones and the augmented navigation, for example.

Finally, AMG Line Premium Plus sees the clever multi-beam LED headlamps added, as well as a panoramic glass sunroof, traffic sign assist and a memory programme for the electrically-adjustable front seats.

Mercedes-Benz A Class Reliability and warranty

The A-Class is a new car and was launched too late to be considered for the 2018 Auto Express Driver Power survey.

However, the previous A-Class came 56th in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and the Mercedes C-Class tends to fare well in these surveys too.

In terms of warranty, the A-Class is covered for three years, with an unlimited mileage.

Used Mercedes-Benz A Class

These latest models are already beginning to surface on the used market - but don’t expect any significant savings.

Any reductions tend to be in the hundreds of pounds rather than thousands - however - with these nearly new models, you are looking at cars that are in stock and ready to be driven home. With a new car, you’ll inevitably be put on a waiting list.

There are, however, significant savings to be made on previous generation models, as dealers look to empty reserves in anticipation for the new models coming in.

You can read more about the previous-generation Mercedes A-Class here

Mercedes A-Class: used car prices

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

Best for economy Mercedes A180d

N/A

N/A

N/A

Best for families Mercedes A200

N/A

N/A

N/A

Best for performance Mercedes AMG A35

 N/A

N/A

N/A

Other Editions

A Class (2012 – 2018)

The Mercedes A-Class is an upmarket hatchback that trades space for style