The Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2023 has been given a facelift
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2023 has been given a facelift
Mercedes-Benz first launched their A-Class hatchback back in 2018 – and it has been a mainstay of the German marque’s success story in the UK.
In fact, in the last five years, the premium compact car has been in the UK’s top-five bestsellers in each of its full calendar years of sale. So, safe to say the A-Class has been something of a winner for Mercedes-Benz.
But success should never be taken for granted. So, Mercedes has given its A-Class something of a mid-life facelift. Not only are there some subtle but noticeable styling changes, the latest model also benefits from improvements to equipment, plus a number of mechanical enhancements.
They have also streamlined the UK range with the aim of making the purchasing experience simpler for the buyer. In fact, some models have been removed altogether.
However, you’ll be pleased to know the 2023 A-Class is available with conventional petrol and diesel engines, as well as the tax-efficient A250e plug-in hybrid. The model which is likely to be one of the top sellers is the A200 mild-hybrid petrol in the AMG Line Executive trim, starting at £35,530.
In the UK, all 4Matic four-wheel-drive cars, apart from the A35 and A45 S performance models, are no longer on sale in the UK. And the only diesel available is the 148bhp A200d.
There are now only two petrol models available, the A180 and A200, both of which use the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine developed in conjunction with Renault a few years ago. Both engines benefit from 48V mild-hybrid assistance which feeds an extra 13bhp into the driveline as the car eases into motion. The additional benefits are a smoother engine shutdown and restart, plus more efficient energy regeneration.
And while the A-Class is primarily now only a hatchback, there is one saloon available in the form of the super-sleek A250e, which gets a bigger battery, a more powerful motor and faster charging options. It’s the ideal choice for the fleet buyer. Being rated with an all-electric range of up to 51 miles, it slips easily into the 8% benefit-in-kind tax threshold.
Across the 2023 A-class hatchback range, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is fitted as standard, though the A200d, A250e, A35, A45 all benefit from an 8-speed dual-clutch auto box.
The A-Class starts with the Sport Executive — out is the model’s old SE trim level — and then eases up to the AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. The latter two add more equipment as standard.
Yes, but in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, those changes are subtle. There’s a new look to the LED headlights, now standard across the range, while the AMG Line models — which are the big sellers in the trim stakes — are identifiable thanks to their new star-themed radiator grille mesh, newly restyled rear diffuser and new wheel designs. The facelifted models are also available with new colours, including Rose Gold and the very bright Sun Yellow in our photos.
Thinking of making the switch to electric?
The model which unquestionably has benefitted most in terms of its enhanced exterior looks is the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic hot hatch. It now struts its stuff resplendent with more of the aggressive performance styling features first seen on the more expensive A45 S.
Because there’s no SE trim, all models now have Mercedes-Benz’s twin-10.3-inch display MBUX infotainment console. And now there is no longer a manual gearbox in the range, and the revised infotainment has no physical input controller on the transmission tunnel, the designers have been able to restyle the centre console, giving it a much neater look. There’s now also a helpful shallow tray.
Across the range, the facelift model also gets the seat comfort package, which gives the driver’s side both cushion angle adjustment and a cushion extension. There’s also now cushion height adjustment for both front seats.
Also new are improvements to the design of the steering wheel, which now mirrors much of the looks and tech found in larger Mercedes-Benz models. That means smaller steering hubs, plus slimmer parallel spokes each tightly packed with switchgear.
The updated MBUX twin-screen infotainment system now doesn’t have the touch-sensitive fingertip input device on the centre console. It does, though, respond efficiently to voice commands for navigation destinations. Plus, there’s a cursor on the upper left-hand spoke of the steering wheel which allows the driver to scroll through menu screens and select functions without taking their hands off the wheel.
More standard tech sees wireless device charging and wireless mirroring for both Apple and Android.
Yes. The facelifted A-Class gets an updated package of driver assistance tech with an improved lane keeping system. The new package has active steering control, and an assisted automatic parking system that can manage both parallel and perpendicular parking manoeuvres.
Impressive. You would expect the mild-hybrid system to have added a bit more weight to the car – and you would be correct. But because of the low-slung, compact nature of the A-Class, its centre of gravity remains low. Tipping the scales still below 1,400kg, the facelifted model delivers nippy pace which, aligned with its crisp chassis response and handling, ensures it has all that’s required to put a smile on your face. Even in town, dicing with junctions and roundabouts becomes fun.
| Spec Panel | |
|---|---|
| Model | Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line Executive |
| Price | £35,530 |
| Powertrain | 4 cyls in line, 1332cc, turbocharged, petrol |
| Power | 161bhp |
| Transmission | Transmission |
| Torque | 199lb/ft at 2,000-3,500rpm |
| 0-62 mph | 8.2 seconds |
| Economy (WLTP) | 47.9mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 135g/km |
