Mercedes-Benz’s popular A-Class hatch and sedan range continues to offer a wide range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid.

    Prices are up for non-AMG models when compared to last year, while AMG models are slightly down in price with close to $1000 taken off the premium.

    The front-wheel drive A250 is no longer part of the range for the 2021 model year.

    Pricing

    A-Class Hatchback

    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A180: $46,400 (+$1300)
    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic: $58,500 (+$700)
    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e: $64,800 (+$1400)
    • 2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic: $71,576 (-$974)
    • 2021 Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+: $93,976 (-$924)

    A-Class Sedan

    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A180: $47,900 (+$1200)
    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 4Matic: $60,900 (+$1200)
    • 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250e: $67,800 (+1800)
    • 2021 Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic: $72,576 (-$924)

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines

    A180 variants are fitted with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 100kW of power at 5500rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1460rpm.

    Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100km/h time of 8.8 seconds.

    The A180 is front-wheel drive and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

    A250 models get a larger 2.0-litre turbo four producing 165kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm at 1800rpm. They also use a seven-speed dual-clutch but include all-wheel drive. Mercedes claims the 0-100km/h sprint takes 6.2 seconds.

    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.

    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 2.0-litre turbocharged four produces 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, 0-100km/h takes a blistering 3.9 seconds.

    Fuel Economy

    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 4Matic uses 6.6L/100km, while 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch measures 4419mm long, 1796mm wide, 1427mm tall, and rides a 2729mm wheelbase.

    Meanwhile, the sedan is 4549mm long, 1796mm wide, and 1434mm tall, with the same 2729mm wheelbase.

    Boot capacity measures 355L for the hatch and 430L for the sedan. A250e models have slightly less luggage volume at 310L and 355L, respectively. With the rear seats dropped, luggage space expands to 1195L in the petrol hatch.

    A180 models have a 43L fuel tank and A250e models a 35L tank, while all other models get a 51L tank.

    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, or 12 months/20,000km in the A45.

    Three-year plans cost $2050 for A180 and A250 models, $2150 for A35 variants, and $3000 for the A45.

    The five-year plan ups prices to $3500 for Benz-branded A-Class models, $4000 for the A35, and $4300 for the A45.

    Safety

    The Mercedes-Benz A-Class line-up wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2018 testing.

    It received a score of 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 91 per cent for child occupant protection, 92 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 73 per cent for safety assist.

    All 2021 A-Class models come standard with the following safety equipment:

    • Autonomous emergency braking (low- and high-speed) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Lane-departure warning
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Safe exit warning
    • Front, front-side and curtain airbags
    • Driver’s knee airbag
    • Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors

    Standard Equipment

    The A180 comes standard with:

    • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
    • Satellite navigation
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • ‘Artico’ leatherette upholstery
    • Keyless start
    • 17-inch five-twin-spoke alloys
    • Nine-speaker 225W sound system
    • LED headlights
    • Automatic headlights
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist
    • Electronic parking brake
    • Climate control air-conditioning

    The A250e adds:

    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • Adaptive high-beam
    • Wireless phone charging

    The optional Exclusive Package adds:

    • Black open-pore wood trim
    • 64-colour ambient lighting
    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Lugano leather upholstery in black or Bahia Brown
    • Energizing Comfort Control
    • Dual-zone climate control

    The A250 4Matic adds:

    • AMG body styling
    • Comfort Sports seats in Dinamica microfibre
    • Keyless entry
    • Stainless steel sports pedals
    • 64-colour ambient lighting
    • Red contrast stitching
    • Nappa leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with flat bottom
    • Sports Direct steering system
    • Panoramic glass sunroof
    • Perforated front brake discs
    • Lowered comfort suspension
    • Multi-link rear suspension

    The optional AMG Exclusive Package adds:

    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Lugano leather upholstery
    • Adaptive suspension
    • Energizing Comfort Control
    • Dual-zone climate control

    It’s also available on the A250e, albeit without adaptive suspension.

    The 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)
    • Passenger mirror with reverse parking function

    The 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

    There’s a wide range of option packages available.

    AMG models offer the AMG Performance Package, which adds:

    • Multi-contour AMG Performance front seats
    • AMG Aerodynamics Package
    • AMG Track Pace (A35 only)

    Optional on all bar the A45 is the Vision Package, which adds:

    • Multi-beam LED headlights
    • Adaptive high-beam
    • Panoramic sunroof (unless otherwise standard)
    • Surround-view camera

    The Innovation Package adds the following features to all models, unless otherwise standard:

    • MBUX Interior Assistant
    • Head-up display
    • Burmester 12-speaker 590W sound system

    The Seat Comfort Package (A180, A250e, A250) adds:

    • Heated, power-adjustable front seats
    • Passenger mirror with reverse parking function

    The Driving Assistance Package (all bar A45) adds:

    • Driving Assistance Package Plus
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Lane change assist

    Colours

    The following non-metallic colours are standard on the A-Class:

    • Night Black
    • Sun Yellow (hatch only)
    • Polar White

    The following metallic colours are optional:

    • Digital White
    • Cosmos Black
    • Denim Blue
    • Iridium Silver
    • Mountain Grey
    • Designo Patagonia Red

    MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz A-Class

    Zak Adkins
    Zak Adkins is a Contributor at CarExpert.
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