Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Review 2024

Fresh from a recent facelift, the Mercedes A-Class Saloon is fighting it out against a number of rivals that might be considered cheap luxury cars. It has strong challengers in the shape of the Audi A3 Saloon and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, so it needs a broad spread of abilities to succeed.

Mercedes launched its first A-Class Saloon in 2018, based upon the fourth-generation A-Class hatchback. The Mercedes CLA Coupe had previously filled a similar niche, but buyers demanded a more sensible saloon alternative. 

As our Mercedes A-Class Saloon review will explain, while it may look more sensible than the rakish CLA, it actually manages to be less practical. The car offers a boot capacity of just 405 litres, compared to 460 litres in the slightly larger CLA Coupe.

In fact, accommodation is one area where the A-Class Saloon is found wanting. Room for those in the front is generally fine, but the rear bench will feel like a squeeze for more than two people. Headroom is also limited in the back, making it less spacious than the equivalent A-Class hatchback.

Where the A-Class Saloon does outscore its hatchback brethren is with the choice of engines. The four-door A-Class is offered in A250e plug-in hybrid guise – a real boon for company car drivers, or those wanting electrified efficiency.

Ignoring the attention-grabbing official fuel economy figure of 353.1mpg (which relies on the car being charged up very regularly), the A250e can cover up to 51 miles on battery power alone. It also boasts a swift 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds, and comes with an 8% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax rating.

The rest of the engine range includes a pair of turbocharged 1.3-litre petrols, along with a 2.0 diesel. Capable of averaging 57.7mpg, the latter will appeal to those who often do long motorway journeys. 

For those who want their compact executive four-door to offer more performance, there is the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic. With 306PS and all-wheel drive, it takes aim at the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe and Audi S3 Saloon.

Aside from this sportiest version, which we’ll cover separately, the A-Class Saloon driving experience is focused on comfort and refinement. Despite the sporty AMG styling, it is never that engaging to drive. Instead, it delivers impressive ride quality, even on larger alloy wheels, helping the miles to slip by.

On the inside, the A-Class Saloon looks super-modern, thanks to elements borrowed from other Mercedes models. The central air vents look suitably slick, as do the twin 10.25-inch displays for the MBUX infotainment system.

However, some of the materials used inside the A-Class Saloon are less ‘premium’ than might be expected. The cheaper Audi A3 Saloon feels more solidly constructed. 

This sits slightly at odds with the high-end prices asked for the A-Class, which make it considerably more expensive than the equivalent Audi or BMW. However, Mercedes has packed this updated model with plenty of equipment as standard, some of which is optional on the rival German cars.

As an overall package, the Mercedes A-Class Saloon is worth considering, especially with plug-in hybrid power. But the Audi A3 Saloon beats it for boot capacity, quality and value for money.

Although the Mercedes A-Class Saloon may be a compact four-door car, it is not unsuited to carrying passengers. On the contrary, those in the front will be perfectly happy, with plenty of seat adjustment options and enough legroom to get comfortable.

Those in the back of the A-Class Saloon receive a rawer deal. Headroom is tighter than in the equivalent hatchback model, while legroom is acceptable, but being quite narrow means squeezing three people onto the back bench will only be acceptable for short journeys. An Audi A3 Saloon is more generous in terms of space.

With the rear seats in use, the 2023 A-Class Saloon can accommodate 405 litres of luggage. Yet again, this is a little behind the A3 Saloon, which can carry 425 litres. Pre-facelift versions of the Mercedes could hold 420 litres.

Space drops even further if you pick the plug-in hybrid A250e. The need to package the battery pack and electric powertrain elements means luggage space falls to only 345 litres.

For comparison, the closely related Mercedes CLA Coupe boasts a larger boot capacity. Even with its swoopy styling, it can accommodate up to 460 litres of luggage.

The interior of the Mercedes A-Class Saloon undoubtedly looks cutting-edge, taking inspiration from the larger E-Class. Liberal use of artificial leather, chrome detailing and aluminium trim gives a classy overall vibe.

Mercedes was once synonymous with ‘bank vault’ build quality, but the A-Class Saloon suggests those days are long gone. Compared to the Audi A3 Saloon, there are parts of the A-Class Saloon’s interior that do not stand up to closer inspection. The materials feel cheap to touch or creak when pressed.

After a recent facelift, every Mercedes A-Class Saloon comes with the same infotainment set-up. This sees a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen fitted, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. It mirrors the approach taken by Mercedes in its larger models, and gives the A-Class Saloon a premium appearance.

At the heart of all this is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It can be accessed via touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, or by using voice commands.

The latter is activated by saying “Hey Mercedes”, and covers a host of functions. Alternatively, the central display works as a regular touchscreen.

Older A-Class Saloons included a touchpad controller on the centre console. This was easier to use than the steering wheel buttons, which don't feel especially intuitive at first.

All models come with integrated satellite navigation, with AMG Line Premium trim and above adding clever augmented reality tech to make directions easier to follow.

All A-Class Saloons come with a ‘USB Package’ as standard, with four USB-C sockets placed throughout the cabin.You also get wireless smartphone charging, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Prices for the 2023 Mercedes A-Class Saloon now start at just over £32,000, netting buyers the A180 model in Sport Executive trim. That might look rather expensive, and it is when compared to the cheapest Audi A3 Saloon at less than £28,000.

However, the strong level of standard equipment found on the A-Class offsets this, and goes some way towards justifying its higher starting price.

A diesel A200d in Sport Executive trim will cost from around £35,000, with more than £41,000 needed for the cheapest plug-in hybrid A250e. The latter comes in AMG Line Executive trim: the lowest grade available with the hybrid powertrain.

Mercedes has given the A-Class Saloon’s two turbocharged petrol engines mild-hybrid technology. This helps to boost their overall levels of fuel economy.

The A180 can achieve a WLTP economy figure of up to 48.7mpg, making it relatively frugal for a compact saloon. Interestingly, the more powerful A200 petrol records the exact same official fuel consumption, so there is no penalty for picking it here.

For those doing lots of motorway miles, the A200d diesel may be the best A-Class Saloon in the range. It officially records up to 57.7mpg – without the need to plug in, of course.

Be sure to read our Real MPG submissions, to find out if these figures are being achieved by A-Class Saloon drivers in the real world.

As the sole plug-in hybrid variant, the A250e offers plenty of appeal for company car drivers. It can achieve a (slightly ludicrous) official fuel economy figure of 353.1mpg. However, this relies on keeping the batteries topped-up as much as possible. Charging the 16kWh battery pack takes less than two hours using a domestic wallbox.

With CO2 emissions from just 19g/km, the A250e also has an impressive 8% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax rate. Fully charged, the plug-in hybrid can cover up to 51 miles on battery power alone.

Like other premium German manufacturers, Mercedes sells the A-Class Saloon with a three-year warranty, covering an unlimited mileage. An optional service package can be bought from new, helping split the cost of four services into monthly payments.

Do not be fooled by the number of trim levels that mention AMG (the performance division of Mercedes). The A-Class Saloon is certainly not a sports car. Instead, it delivers a calm, comfortable and predictable driving experience. 

Compared to its predecessor, the new A-Class Saloon rides with more compliance, with all models using a version of the ‘comfort’ suspension.

The Saloon seems to have been designed with motorway journeys in mind, absorbing bumps and ruts even better than the hatchback model. Notably, fitting larger wheels does little to reduce the ride comfort. 

There is a higher degree of body roll in the A-Class Saloon compared with rivals like the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. This fits with the car’s more relaxed approach, and is mirrored by the steering that, while light and precise, is not particularly engaging.

This will be music to the ears of those who simply want a refined and comfortable compact saloon for commuting and other daily duties. 

The engine range for the Mercedes A-Class Saloon is now relatively simple, with buyers offered the choice of two petrols, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid. 

The starting point for petrol engines is the A180, powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit. With 136PS, it needs to be worked hard in a relatively large car like the A-Class, meaning performance is not as effortless as you might expect.

With a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it takes 9.3 seconds to accelerate from 0-62mph.

The A200 adds extra petrol power to the A-Class Saloon, with a 163PS version of the 1.3-litre engine. Such extra power helps drop the 0-62mph time down to 8.3 seconds, and makes for an improved driving experience. Like the A180, though, it is still not overly refined.

Diesels would once have been a common choice in a compact saloon like the A-Class, but the world has moved on.

This leaves the 2.0-litre four-cylinder A200d as the only diesel option, serving up 150PS and 320Nm of torque. It makes for useful real-world performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.4 seconds, and uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The A250e is the plug-in hybrid option in the A-Class Saloon range, and is not offered for the related hatchback model. It combines a 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, resulting in a total of 218PS. This makes it the quickest A-Class Saloon, with 0-62mph taking 7.5 seconds. 

The A-Class was assessed by the Euro NCAP safety organisation when it was first launched in 2018. It received a maximum five-star rating when crash-tested, including an impressive 96% score for adult occupant protection.

All A-Class Saloons come equipped with a host of airbags, including one for the driver’s knees. Driver alertness assist, active lane keeping assist, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and speed limit assist are standard on all model grades.

Being a relatively compact car, the A-Class Saloon is unlikely to be at the top of any list for hauling a trailer. However, a semi-automatic tow bar is on the options list. 

For maximum towing capacity, the A200 and A200d are the best choices. These can pull a braked trailer up to 1600kg in weight. The A180 is capable of towing 1400kg. A tow bar cannot be fitted to the hybrid A250e.

The range of trim levels for the Mercedes A-Class Saloon is extensive, but all versions come with a generous level of standard equipment. 

The range is kicked off by the Mercedes A-Class Saloon Sport Executive, featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, adaptive high-beam assistance and privacy glass.

The side mirrors fold electrically, with the driver’s side mirror dimming automatically. Keyless entry is standard, too.

Inside, Sport Executive cars have seats finished in black Artico artificial leather, with the front pair heated. Dark carbon fibre-look trim is used on the dashboard and door panels, plus there is 64-colour ambient lighting. A multi-function sports steering wheel is clad in leather, and there is single-zone climate control. 

The latest Sport Executive A-Class Saloons come with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, along with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The latter incorporates the MBUX system with satellite navigation, and sees Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity included.

Wireless charging is fitted for mobile devices, along with a USB package that offers four USB-C sockets. 

Parking sensors, a rear-view camera, a 100W sound system and speed limiter assist complete the package. 

Moving up to the Mercedes A-Class Saloon AMG Line Executive trim delivers an AMG bodykit, along with 18-inch AMG alloy wheels in a grey finish. The brake callipers gain Mercedes lettering, with the A250e model using drilled brake discs. 

AMG Line Executive cars also have sports seats finished in a combination of Artico artificial leather and microfibre cloth, plus contrast red stitching. There are AMG floor mats, brushed stainless steel pedals, aluminium trim and Nappa leather covering the multi-function steering wheel, too.

Choosing AMG Line Premium trim for the A-Class Saloon also means 18-inch alloy wheels, and the addition of illuminated Mercedes door sill covers.

The climate control is upgraded to a two-zone system, with blind-spot assistance and exit warning assistance also added. The sound system becomes a 225W set-up, while the MBUX navigation system gains augmented reality tech. 

Topping the range is Mercedes A-Class Saloon AMG Line Premium Plus trim. This benefits from 19-inch alloy wheels, multibeam LED headlights and a panoramic sliding glass sunroof. 

A memory package for the driver’s seat is fitted, while there is also a head-up display, MBUX interior assistant and a 360-degree parking camera.