Facelifted Mercedes A-Class mild-hybrid starts from £31,880

• Four main trim levels, plus a limited-run Exclusive Launch Edition
• Petrol models get 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance
• On sale now from £31,880

After four years on sale, Mercedes has facelifted the fourth-generation A-Class. Just like before, the new Mercedes A-Class is available in both hatchback and saloon bodystyles; however it now features a revised exterior design, 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, plus an update to the already impressive suite of on-board technology.

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The new Mercedes A-Class is on sale now 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 hatchback 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 limited-run Exclusive Launch Edition. Starting at £31,880, the entry-level Sport Executive comes as standard with Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system which features two 10.25-inch displays mounted side-by-side. Other standard kit includes 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, faux-leather heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charging pad and a reversing camera.

Starting at £33,980, AMG Line Executive adds a racier bodykit as well as 18-inch alloys and a set of figure-hugging sports seats. The next step up is the £34,605 AMG Line Premium which adds augmented reality navigation and illuminated kickplates. An extra £3,650 nets you the range-topping AMG Line Premium Plus which boasts model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels as well as an electric driver’s seat, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and a panoramic sunroof.

Finally, the A-Class Exclusive Launch Edition will only be available for a limited time and starts from £41,480. To distinguish itself from regular versions of the A-Class, this gets gloss black 19-inch wheels and is only available with the A 200 powertrain.

Design and interior

The average passerby may struggle to identify 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, as well as a new bonnet with ‘power bulge’ creases. Top-spec AMG-Line models see even further 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 C-Class.

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Like 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 as standard with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Drivers can create individual profiles via the onboard fingerprint scanner, adjusting the seat position, climate controls and the overall look of the displays to their preferences.

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The new A-Class also features Merc’s new multi-spoke steering wheel, which first debuted on the facelifted Mercedes E-Class. This has touch-sensitive controls to allow the driver to adjust settings on the infotainment screen without taking their hands off the wheel.

Engines and powertrains

Under the bonnet, the facelifted A-Class gets what is perhaps its biggest overhaul over the outgoing car. The A 180 and A 200 petrol engines now receive assistance in the form of 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. This works in tandem with the car’s four-cylinder motor to improve fuel economy, while also giving a temporary 14bhp extra boost under acceleration. Mercedes claims the A 180 should now be able to return around 50mpg on the combined WLTP cycle, with the more powerful A 200 only slightly behind that.

Mercedes has slimmed the diesel range down to just one model: the A 200 d. This has not received any form of mild-hybrid tech, however, it is still said to return around 48mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle.

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Company car drivers will be pleased to hear the plug-in hybrid A 250 e has been updated for 2023 and will go on sale towards the end of 2022. The electric motor has been tweaked to bring the total power output to 215bhp – an increase of 7bhp. As before, Mercedes claims the plug-in A-Class will be able to travel around 44-50 miles on electric power alone, although in real-world driving it's likely to be towards the lower end of this estimate. Charging speeds are also up to 11kW AC from 7.5kW; topping up from 10-80% will now take as little as 25 minutes when connected to a public DC charger.

Unfortunately, the petrol A 250 warm-hatch has been discontinued; those looking for even more power can instead opt for one of the two high-performance AMG variants. Like the standard petrols, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the A 35 has also received 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. This adds a temporary 14bhp boost to the car’s already impressive 302bhp output. Furthermore, the A 35 now comes fitted with the same eight-speed dual-clutch as the top-of-the-range 415bhp A 45 S – however, this does not get the mild-hybrid tech of its lesser siblings.

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