The latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class has proven to be a hit in Australia, asserting itself as our country’s favourite premium small car, and by some margin.
A range of variants, engines and body styles are offered, including the A180 and A250, as well as the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic and flagship A45 S 4Matic+. New to the range is the plug-in hybrid A250e.
Both standard hatchback and sedan options are available, too, in addition to the closely-related CLA four-door coupe.
Overseas models pictured
Pricing
A-Class Hatchback
- A180: $45,100
- A250: $51,500
- A250 4Matic: $57,800
- A250e: $63,400
- AMG A35 4Matic: $72,500
- AMG A45 S 4Matic+: $94,900
A-Class Sedan
- A180: $46,700
- A250: $53,500
- A250 4Matic: $59,700
- A250e: $66,000
- AMG A35 4Matic: $73,500
All prices exclude on-road costs
Overseas model shown
Engines
A180 variants are fitted with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 100kW at 5500rpm and 200Nm at 1460rpm.
Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100 time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 215km/h.
A250 models get a larger 2.0-litre turbo four outputting 165kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm at 1800rpm. Mercedes claims the 0-100 sprint takes 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 250km/h regardless of whether the A250 is front- or all-wheel drive (4Matic).
The A180 and A250 send power to the tarmac via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with A250 versions available with the option of 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The A250e uses a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 118kW of power and 250Nm of torque with an electric motor producing 75kW of power and 300Nm of torque, as well as a 15.6kWh lithium-ion battery. Combined outputs are 160kW and 450Nm.
Mercedes-Benz claims the 0-100km/h sprint takes 6.6 seconds for the A250e, which is available only with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+
Moving to the AMG models, the A35 4Matic scores a more powerful version of the A250’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, bumping outputs to 225kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm from 3000 to 4000rpm.
The 0-100 sprint is dispatched in a claimed 4.7 seconds, with top speed again limited to 250km/h. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic sends drive to a performance-tuned 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
Finally, sitting atop the range is the AMG A45 S 4Matic+, which is available as a hatchback only. Its bespoke 2.0-litre turbocharged four develops a whopping 310kW at 6750rpm and 500Nm between 5000 and 5250rpm.
The A45 gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and a variable AMG all-wheel drive system with drift mode, allowing the hyper hatch to send all its grunt to the rear axle with the touch of a button.
In the AMG A45 S, 0-100 takes a blistering 3.9 seconds, with a limited top speed of 270km/h.
Official engine specifications can be found within the A45 AMG brochure, which you can request here.
Note: Performance times quoted are for the A-Class Hatchback, A-Class Sedan models are 0.1 seconds slower
Overseas model shown
Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption for the A180 is claimed at 5.7L/100km on the ADR combined cycle, for both hatchback and sedan body styles.
The A250 is rated at 6.5L/100km in front-wheel drive guise, with 4Matic variants slightly thirstier at a claimed 6.6L/100km.
The A250e is rated at 1.6L/100km and has an ADR electric range figure of 73km
AMG A35 hatchbacks claim to use 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle, while the more aerodynamic A35 sedan quotes a combined figure of 7.4L/100km.
Finally, the AMG A45 S uses a claimed 8.9L/100km.
The non-AMG variants require 95 RON premium unleaded as a minimum, while AMG models require 98 RON.
Dimensions
The basic A-Class Hatchback measures 4419mm long, 1796mm wide, 1427mm tall, and offers a 2729mm wheelbase.
Meanwhile, the sedan is 4549mm long, 1796mm wide, and 1434mm tall, with the same 2729mm wheelbase.
Boot capacity measures 370L for the A-Class Hatch and 430L for the A-Class Sedan. A250e models have slightly less luggage volume at 310L and 355L, respectively.
A180 models have a 43L fuel tank and A250e models a 35L tank, while all other models get a 51L tank.
Safety
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class line-up wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2018 tests.
Scores including 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupants, 92 per cent for vulnerable road users an 73 per cent for safety assist.
All three grades of autonomous emergency braking (City, Interurban and Vulnerable Road User) as well as lane keep assist with lane departure warning and an advanced speed assistance system are fitted as standard equipment on all variants.
Dual frontal airbags, side chest-protecting airbags for both the front and rear occupants, side head-protecting airbags (curtains) and a driver knee airbag are also standard.
You can request a brochure from the Mercedes-AMG website which has further details on all the safety features that come with the A45 AMG.
Standard Equipment
A180 highlights:
- MBUX infotainment system with dual 10.25-inch displays and ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice commands
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- ‘Artico’ leatherette upholstery
- Keyless start
- ‘Style’ equipment line
- 17-inch five-twin-spoke alloys
- LED headlights
- Reversing camera
- Active lane keep assist
- Active parking assist with Parktronic
- Blind-spot assist withe exit warning
- Active brake assist
- Traffic sign assist
A250 and A250e models add:
- 18-inch aero alloy wheels
- Adaptive high-beam assist
- Wireless phone charging
A250 4Matic adds:
- AMG body styling
- Comfort Sports seats in Dinamica microfibre
- Keyless-Go entry/start
- Stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Red contrast stitching
- Nappa leather sports steering wheel with flat bottom
- Sports Direct steering system
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Perforated front brake discs
- Lowered comfort suspension
- Multilink rear suspension
AMG A35 4Matic adds:
- Race-Start launch control
- AMG exhaust system
- AMG high-performance brakes with four-piston front calipers
- AMG Ride Control adaptive damping
- AMG Dynamic Select drive modes
- Model-specific AMG body styling
- 19-inch light alloy wheels
- Rear spoiler lip
- AMG Performance steering wheel with perforated leather and galvanised paddle shifters
- AMG displays for the MBUX infotainment displays
- Lugano leather upholstery
- Front seats with electric adjustment and heating
- Hands-free boot (sedan only)
AMG A45 S 4Matic+ adds:
- Model-specific AMG body styling
- Panamericana front grille
- 90mm quad tailpipes
- Burmester surround system
- AMG Performance steering wheel in Dinamica microfibre with yellow topstitching
- Front sports seats in two-tone leather with yellow topstitching
- Brushed aluminium trim
- AMG Driver’s Package
- AMG Track Pace data logging
- AMG Night Package
- 19-inch x 8.5in AMG cross-spoke alloy wheels in matte black with high-sheen flange
You can find further details on all the options and inclusions within the official A45 AMG brochure. Alternatively you can jump on to the A45 AMG configurator tool to build one of these to your own specifications.
Servicing and Warranty
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with complimentary roadside assistance for the same period.
Service packages are available in three-, four- and five-year variations, with scheduled maintenance required every 12 months/25,000km (A180, A250, A35) or 12 months/20,000km (A45).
Prices start at $2050 for A180 and A250 models, $2150 for A35 variants, and $3000 for the A45, all covering three years of servicing.
The five-year plan ups prices to $3500 for Benz-branded A-Class models, $4000 for the A35, and $4300 for the A45.
