Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2012 – 2018) Review
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2012 – 2018) At A Glance
After two incarnations of its sandwich-floor mini MPV, Mercedes Benz decided that its A-Class shoud be a conventional front wheel drive premium hatchback. It's lower and wider with a more muscular look as it aims to take on the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. (The B-Class retains the mini MPV design.)
The more purposeful look isn’t all for show though. Mercedes-Benz has put considerable effort into ensuring the body is stiff. This improves cornering and agility, making for a more engaging drive. Refinements to the suspension and steering have also been made with the aim of offering an involving, fun car. It’s effective – the new A-Class can be driven at speed with confidence.
While the shape of the car may be a radical departure, that doesn’t mean it's impractical. The boot is more than big enough for a trip away or a family shop plus the rear seats offer enough space for adults, even if headroom is a little tight. There’s plenty of technology on offer too and even basic models get a collision mitigating brake system designed to prevent and minimise low speed accidents.
Engines use the traditional Mercedes-Benz naming system. Six are available – A180 petrol and diesel, A200 petrol and diesel, A220 diesel and A250 petrol. The most efficient engine in the range is the A180 BlueEfficiency Manual which has CO2 emissions of just 98g/km. Enthusiastic drivers will go for the A250 ‘Engineered by AMG’ model which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds.
And don't worry if you've still got a soft spot for the old, more upright A-Class. Its spirit lives on in the B-Class, which gets many of the features of the new A-Class, but in a more spacious package.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2012 A200 Road Test
Real MPG average for a Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2012 – 2018)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
77%
Real MPG
22–75 mpg
MPGs submitted
519
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
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