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- Four main trim levels, plus an exclusive, limited-run Launch Edition
- Gas models get 48-volt mild-hybrid assist
- On sale now from £31,880
After four years on the market, Mercedes has given the fourth generation A-Class a facelift. As before, the new Mercedes A-Class is available in hatchback and sedan bodies; However, it now features a revised exterior design, 48-volt mild-hybrid assist, as well as an update to the already impressive suite of in-car tech.
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The new Mercedes A-Class is now on sale from £31,880 which, unlike most new cars, is actually slightly cheaper than the outgoing model. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the premium family sedan segment remains competitive, with the A-Class’ main rivals being the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and DS 4.
2022 Mercedes A-Class: Pricing and Trim Levels
Buyers can specify the new Mercedes A-Class in one of five different trim levels: Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus and the exclusive limited-run Launch Edition. Starting at £31,880, the entry-level Sport Executive comes standard with Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system which includes two 10.25-inch screens mounted side-by-side. The other standard kit includes 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, heated leatherette front seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger and rear-view camera.
Starting at £33,980, the AMG Line Executive adds a more racy body kit along with 18-inch alloys and a set of form-fitting sports seats. Next up is the £34,605 AMG Line Premium range which adds augmented reality navigation and illuminated skid plates. An extra £3,650 gets you the AMG Line Premium Plus range, which includes model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels plus a power driver’s seat, head-up display, 360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof .
Finally, the exclusive A-Class Launch Edition will only be available for a limited time and from £41,480. To distinguish itself from the regular versions of the A-Class, this one features 19-inch gloss black wheels and is only available with the A 200 powertrain.
Design and interior
The average passer-by may have trouble identifying the facelifted A-Class from the outgoing model as the visual updates are subtle. The new baby Merc gets revised LED headlight and taillight designs, along with a new hood with “power bulge” creases. High-end AMG-Line models see even more changes with a deeper front bumper and rear diffuser, plus a new grille, studded with miniature three-pointed stars – as seen on the latest Mercedes Class C.
As before, the Mercedes A-Class dashboard is dominated by a pair of 10.25-inch screens. These now run Mercedes’ latest iteration of its MBUX operating system and also come standard with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Drivers can create individual profiles via the in-display fingerprint reader, adjusting seat position, climate controls and the overall look of the screens to suit their preferences.
The new A-Class also includes Merc’s new multi-spoke steering wheel, which debuted on the facelifted Mercedes E-Class. This features touch controls allowing the driver to adjust settings on the infotainment screen without taking your hands off the wheel.
Engines and powertrains
Under the hood, the facelifted A-Class gets what is perhaps its biggest overhaul compared to the outgoing car. The A 180 and A 200 petrol engines now get support in the form of 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. This works in tandem with the car’s four-cylinder engine to improve fuel economy, while giving a temporary additional 14bhp boost in acceleration. Mercedes claims the A 180 should now be able to return to around 50mpg on the combined WLTP cycle, with the more powerful A 200 only slightly behind.
Mercedes has reduced the diesel range to a single model: the A 200 d. This hasn’t received any form of mild-hybrid tech, however, it’s still said to return around 48mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle.
Company car drivers will be pleased to hear that the A 250 e plug-in hybrid has been updated for 2023 and will go on sale towards the end of 2022. The electric motor has been tweaked to bring total output to 215hp – an increase of 7 hp. As before, Mercedes says the plug-in A-Class will be capable of around 44-50 miles on electric power alone, although in real-world driving it’s likely to be towards the lower end of that estimate. Charging speeds also go up to 11kW AC from 7.5kW; charging from 10-80% will now only take 25 minutes when connected to a public DC charger.
Unfortunately, the hot hatchback A 250 petrol was discontinued; those looking for even more power can opt for one of two high-performance AMG variants. Like the standard petrols, the A 35’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine also received 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. This adds a temporary 14bhp boost to the car’s already impressive 302bhp. What’s more, the A 35 now features the same eight-speed dual-clutch as the top-end 415bhp A 45 S – however, this doesn’t get the mild-hybrid tech of its lesser siblings.
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