In-depth reviews

Mercedes A-Class hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2

The Mercedes A-Class offers decent economy and emissions figures, but insurance and servicing could be pricey

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews
MPG, running costs & CO2 Rating

4.0 out of 5

With its lighter construction, improved aerodynamics and up-to-date engines, this A-Class is more economical and emits less CO2 than the previous model. There are several engines to choose from, all of which return figures that stack up fairly well against premium rivals. The Mercedes A 200 d diesel engine with an automatic gearbox is one of the most frugal, capable of 57.7mpg. Petrol Mercedes A-Class models offer relatively attractive economy and emissions figures, too, thanks to new technology introduced for the latest model.

The A-Class is also available as a plug-in hybrid, known as the A 250 e, with an impressive all-electric range of up to 51 miles making it more than capable of running on electricity for multiple short trips.

Mercedes A-Class MPG & CO2

Currently, the 148bhp 2.0-litre A 200 d is the most frugal non-hybrid choice; economy is a claimed 57.7mpg – a figure that’s similar to the equivalent Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. The now-discontinued SE had smaller wheels and was slightly more economical, while sporty AMG Line versions with big wheels are a little less frugal. The A 200 d sits in similar Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) bands as the petrol models for company car drivers.

Of the petrol options, the 160bhp, 1.3-litre A 200 offers the best blend of performance, economy and emissions. An official figure of 47.9mpg takes into account the 17-inch wheels on the Sport Executive model, and the A 200 emits a CO2 figure of 133-142g/km. Opting for 18-wheels doesn't adversely affect the economy or emissions figures.

The A 250 e plug-in hybrid used a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine in combination with an electric motor to give it 215bhp. With a claimed 51 miles of pure-electric driving range, the A 250 e is the most efficient model in the range with a claimed official economy figure of well over 250mpg. It’s also the greenest, emitting sub-30g/km of CO2, which puts it in the lowest BiK banding for company-car drivers.

The A 250 e can be charged from 10-100% in under two hours using a 7.4kW wallbox, making it easy to charge at home or at the office. For the facelift, it can also be recharged at up to 11kW AC, cutting recharge times where available.

The most powerful engines are unsurprisingly the least economical, but not by a huge margin. The 302bhp, 2.0-litre A 35 AMG returns a claimed 33.2mpg on average and emits 184-193g/km of CO2. The result is a high first-year tax payment, although this will be included in the car’s on the road price. The A 35 and A 45 S also hit the top BiK rate for company-car users but the extra performance should be worth the additional tax if you value a sportier drive.

VED (road tax) for all models (after the first year's CO2-weighted payment at purchase time) is charged at the standard rate, while the hybrid gets a small discount. You could spec an A-Class to over £40,000 with a few options, so models over this threshold are subject to the extra surcharge in years two to six.

Insurance groups

The A-Class isn't the cheapest hatchback to insure, with groups starting from 20 for the A 180 and 40 for the most powerful A 45 AMG.

Warranty

As with all Mercedes cars, the A-Class is covered by an unlimited-mileage/three-year warranty, including ‘Mercedes Roadside Assistance’ for the duration. This is matched by the warranty offered on new BMWs, but better than Audi's 60,000-mile/three-year guarantee with roadside assistance.

Servicing

Mercedes offers a flexible servicing plan called ServiceCare, which allows buyers to spread the cost of servicing across a series of payments, or simply make a one-off payment. Mercedes guarantees its parts and labour for "up to three years".

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Recommended

Top 10 best small hybrid cars 2023
The best small hybrid cars 2023
Best cars
29 Mar 2023

Top 10 best small hybrid cars 2023

Mercedes A-Class hatchback review
Mercedes A-Class
In-depth reviews
27 Mar 2023

Mercedes A-Class hatchback review

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Swoopy new Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to take on Polestar 2 in 2025
Toyota Sport Crossover Concept front-quarter
News
4 Dec 2023

Swoopy new Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to take on Polestar 2 in 2025

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023