Our Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback Review

Our Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback Review

By Libby Foster
11-08-2022

Fancy leasing a Mercedes-Benz A Class?

The Mercedes A-Class has always been a small hatchback with a single major selling point: the three-pointed star on the nose. But, whereas its predecessors were all lacking in substance behind the badge, the latest generation is a genuine contender for class honours. So let’s take a step inside and see how it blows its competitors away, the interior design and quality are fantastic, and the infotainment system is one of the best at any price on the market.


Mercedes-Benz A Class Performance

The Mercedes A180d is your best choice if you want diesel power. It earns its stripes with an accelerated power delivery that spreads evenly across the rev range, and while it isn't particularly quick (0-60mph takes around 10 seconds with the automatic gearbox), it packs more than enough oomph to sit joyously in the outside lane of the motorway. The A200d is also a great shout, feeling noticeably nippier and worth considering if you have the cash, but the faster-still, but more expensive, A220d succumbs to the law of diminishing returns.


What about your petrol engine choices? We’d recommend avoiding the A180 because it requires a lot of effort to keep up with traffic. The more powerful A200 with 161 bhp is the pick of the bunch. It can complete a 0-60mph sprint in 7.5 seconds, which is significantly faster than the Audi A3 35 TFSI and BMW 118i, and it has effortless oomph for relaxed cruising. The A250 is also a standout. It has a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 221bhp and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 6.2 seconds, which is comparable to the Ford Focus ST hot hatch.


Finally, the A250e is an eco-friendly plug-in hybrid. It combines the A200's 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to increase power to a useful 215bhp. That makes it brisk (0-62mph in 6.6sec) while supplying an official electric-only range of 44 miles - an impressive but entirely plausible figure.


Mercedes-Benz A Class Interior 

You're not going to have much trouble getting used to driving the A-Class. The steering wheel can be adjusted for reach and rake, and the driver's seat, which also adjusts manually on all trim levels, sustains you in all the right places. The sports seat, which is standard on AMG Line trim, is our favourite for all-around comfort, and while it lacks adjustable lumbar support, there is plenty of lower back support. The bad news is that adjustable lumbar support and electric seats are only available as part of the exorbitantly priced Premium Plus Package.


The most frequently used dashboard buttons are simple to use, but the touchpads on the steering wheel (used to scroll through the digital displays) are difficult to use at first. The standard digital instrument cluster is 7.0in, but with the Premium Package, it expands to 10.3in. When combined with a larger infotainment system, they appear as a single massive widescreen that spans more than half the width of the dashboard.


If there's one thing we'd give the A-Class a straight 'A' for, it's the interior design taking it to the top of the class. It's vibrant and more reminiscent of a luxury saloon than a family hatchback, with plenty of shiny black plastic, leather, wood, and metal inserts.


Mercedes-Benz A Class Space

Even if you tower over most of your friends and colleagues, you're unlikely to complain about the lack of front-row space. The seats slide back quite far, and there's plenty of headroom, albeit not quite as much as in the 1 Series. It's worth noting that adding the optional panoramic roof (part of the Premium Plus Package) reduced headroom by about 6cm.


Anyone over six feet tall will not be sprawled out in the back, but they will not be crammed in with their knees tucked up under their chin either. Simply put, the A-Class has more rear seat space than the average car and is roughly on par with the Audi A3. The BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf are both slightly larger. Just keep in mind that if you can live without a premium badge, there are far more spacious family cars available, such as the Ford Focus, Seat Leon, and Skoda Octavia. The boot of the A-Class is nothing special, but it's large enough for a big weekly shop or a weekend getaway.


Conclusion 

The Mercedes A-Class is a premium-badged family car that is stylish, comfortable, fun to drive, safe, and loaded with technology. Many of the engines work well in various ways: the entry-level diesel (A180d) for great fuel economy; the hot-hatch-quick A250 petrol for speed; and the A250e plug-in hybrid for super-low company car tax. However, the A200 is our pick for overall speed and efficiency. 


At MWVC, we provide a range of Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback car leasing offers to suit every driver's requirements for finding the ideal vehicle for themselves or their business. So, whether you're looking to lease a car for business use or personal use, our knowledgeable sales team can assist you in finding the greatest price. Are you still confused if a car lease is the best option for you? One of our representatives will be pleased to assist you if you call 0116 490 4113.


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*All pricing is correct at the time of publishing