We street take a look at the up to date Mercedes-Benz A-Class – the entry-level mannequin within the three-pointed star line-up…
Priced from £31,905 and obtainable as a hatchback or saloon, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been an enormous success, delivering a comparatively inexpensive, but trendy and upmarket household automotive.
The most recent mannequin was launched in 2018 and rapidly grow to be one of many best-selling automobiles within the UK (it was the fourth hottest automotive after the MINI in 2021).
Now in its fourth era, the A-Class continues to shine in a sector not with out robust competitors – suppose BMW 1 Sequence, Audi A3, Peugeot 308, DS 4 and MINI Clubman.
So, what’s new for 2023? Effectively, there’s tweaked styling, upgraded tools, added delicate hybrid petrol engine expertise and a wider color selection.
The outside adjustments are delicate with revised lights entrance and rear, and LEDs as commonplace. There at the moment are a few slim bonnet bulges and the entrance grille is greater than ever.
The large change is inside the place the newest MBUX infotainment system has been fitted.
As seen on Mercedes-Benz automobiles larger up the vary, it’s a slick and classy set-up that includes two 10.25-inch screens.
In the meantime, it’s extra snug than ever with four-way lumbar assist on each seats up entrance, whereas the general high quality of supplies within the cabin and end is excellent.
There’s a selection of three petrol engines, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid.
All new Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol engines now have 48V delicate hybrid tech.
A 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo is on the core of the petrol and hybrid engine choices, whereas the diesel will get a 148bhp 2.0-litre unit, delivering 57.6mpg economic system.
We examined the entry-level A180 (petrol) and A250 e (plug-in hybrid) variations.
The previous produces 134bhp, delivering a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds and a prime pace of 134mph. Able to as much as 48.7mph, its CO2 emissions are an affordable 134g/km.
The PHEV choice, which sadly is just obtainable on the saloon model of the A-Class, pairs the 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electrical motor, giving a complete output of 212bhp.
The small 15.6kWh battery provides a pure EV vary of as much as 51 miles with on-paper gasoline economic system of as much as 353mpg, and CO2 emissions of simply 23g/km.
With a 0-62mph time of seven.5 seconds, it has a prime pace of 143mph. If you’d like much more tempo, then have a look at the performance-orientated Mercedes-AMG A-Class line-up.
First the A180. The delicate hybrid system is designed to make the engine begin course of quieter and permits the automotive to ‘sail’ with the engine switched off when cruising or coasting to a halt.
On the street the A 180 feels swifter than the official figures counsel – greater than sufficient for on a regular basis driving.
The delicate hybrid tech works properly, with easy ranging from a standstill and additional oomph whenever you get going. Mercedes claims the battery provides the automotive a 14bhp energy enhance when pulling away or throughout acceleration, and I can properly consider this. What’s extra, 50mpg could be very achievable on a sensibly-driven longer run.
You may as well select from 4 driving modes (Eco, Consolation, Sport and Particular person). As ever, Consolation is simply wonderful, with Eco dulling the driving the expertise. Sport will increase throttle response and livens up issues a bit, however the A180 is at its greatest cruising alongside.
The engine is refined, solely changing into vocal underneath heavy acceleration, whereas the seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox is easy and responsive.
In the event you desire a low driving place, then you definitely’ll just like the A-Class. The steering is fast and it may be hustled by way of corners with well-controlled physique roll.
It’s not a Ford Focus or BMW 1-Sequence, nevertheless it feels planted and the journey is an effective mix of consolation (on the agency aspect) and driving engagement.
The A250e PHEV is the extra highly effective and slicker of our take a look at automobiles. Beginning off in whisper-quiet EV mode, it’s some time earlier than the petrol motor kicks in.
Once more, most at dwelling in Consolation mode, it switches from petrol to electrical and vice versa easily more often than not. It’s a bit heavier than its delicate hybrid sibling, nevertheless it nonetheless manages to ship an pleasurable journey.
The eight-speed automated gearbox isn’t greatest at school, however goes by way of the motions, whereas the accelerator pedal is a bit on the delicate aspect.
The A250e may be charged from 10-100% at an AC charging station in 1 hour and quarter-hour, or 1 hour 45 minutes utilizing a house wallbox.
Given the tax advantages, the A250e makes absolute sense for enterprise customers. Personal patrons ought to be postpone although. In the event you can handle with out the hatchback, you may have a house charger and also you don’t cowl excessive mileages, your visits to the petrol station will likely be few and much between since you’ll be working your A-Class in EV mode more often than not.
In the case of house, the A-Class has lots up entrance, and except you’re over six foot, it’s wonderful within the again too. Baggage capability is a helpful 355 litres within the hatchback, increasing to 1,195 with the rear seats folded. Battery storage means the PHEV takes a small hit (345/1125 litres).
In the end, the A-Class isn’t fairly as sporty because it seems to be, however there’s nonetheless enjoyable available, it drives properly, and it’s sensible.
Verdict: Mercedes-Benz has finished simply sufficient to maintain the A-Class related within the premium household hatchback sector. Trendy, straightforward to drive, snug and properly outfitted, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class oozes high quality.
Mercedes-Benz UK
