- Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelifted for 2023
- Available in both five-door hatchback and four-door saloon guise, along with range-topping Mercedes-AMG performance versions
- Tweaked styling, improved equipment and added mild hybrid petrol engine tech
- Ordering open now with prices starting from £31,880
The popular Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been facelifted for 2023, with crisper looks, more equipment and an enhanced range of engines.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a rival to the Audi A3 Sportback and saloon, the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series, the DS 4, Cupra Leon and high-end versions of the Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus.
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2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class prices and release date
New 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class prices start from £31,880, for the entry-level A 180 Sport Executive petrol-engined version. Prices for the high-performance Mercedes-AMG start from £45,930 for the A35 4Matic hatch.
Ordering for the revised new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class range is open now. The company expects first deliveries to commence either by the end of the year or in early 2023.
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class styling, interior and technology
The new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is marked out by revised lights front and rear. LED headlamps are standard, and now have a distinctive daytime running light bar running across the top. The smoked units are cleaner and more modern-looking, and easily help mark out the facelifted new Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
At the rear, the tail lamps also now have a smoked appearance, this time in deep red. They also contain LED light bar elements, ensuring the revised Mercedes-Benz A-Class are differentiated from the current model even during the night.
There are new designs of alloy wheels across the line-up of 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. Even entry-level Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sport Executive models have an all-new style of wheel. Those buying or leasing a new Mercedes-Benz A-Class can choose from a total of 10 body colours, including three solid colours, five metallics and two exclusive premium paint colours from Mercedes-Benz Manufaktur.
The big change inside the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is an infotainment upgrade to the latest MBUX system. This is the same setup as used in the range-topping Mercedes-Benz EQS electric car, and it’s a really high-end system that helps the A-Class keep pace with its premium rivals.
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Screen sizes have been upgraded over the outgoing Mercedes-Benz A-Class: the two screens are now both 10.25-inches. Sat nav is standard, as are remote smartphone telematics through the Mercedes me app – along with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A novel feature is a standard fingerprint scanner, while charging is now to the high-speed USB-C standard.
On the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class driver’s display, there is now a choice of three graphics moods – Classic, Sporty or Discreet. Four-way lumbar support has been standardised for both front seats, while those buying or leasing the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class can choose from black or grey interior colourschemes. The sporty seats on AMG Line models are now made from up to 65 per cent recycled materials; they’re 100 per cent recycled on comfort seats.
The Mercedes-AMG A35 and A45 both boast specific AMG radiator grilles, with the front end look finished off by a bespoke new AMG logo, instead of the Mercedes-Benz star and laurel wreath. AMG Performance seats are standard, as is a Mercedes-AMG Performance steering wheel with dual rotating dials to choose engine and handling modes.
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class engines, performance and fuel economy
Those buying or leasing a new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class can choose from three petrol engines, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid petrol. The two Mercedes-AMG models both have high-performance petrol engines. They all use an automatic gearbox, either with seven or eight speeds.
All new Mercedes-Benz A-Class petrol engines now have 48V mild hybrid tech. The company says it gives a 14PS power boost when pulling away or during acceleration – this takes the load off the engine itself and helps improve fuel efficiency. A new belt-driven starter-generator takes away the starter motor whirr for ‘silent start’ refinement – and it also allows the engine to be shut down during light loads, so the car can enter ‘sailing’ mode and save further fuel.
The Mercedes-Benz A 180 uses a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, producing 136PS, which delivers 0-62mph acceleration in 9.2 seconds. It emits from 133g/km CO2, and averages up to 48.7mpg. The Mercedes-Benz A 200 has a 163PS version of the same engine, which cuts 0-62mph to 8.2 seconds; both fuel economy and CO2 emissions are identical.
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 d diesel has a 2.0-litre 150PS engine. It delivers similar acceleration and averages up to 57.6mpg, although CO2 emissions are only marginally improved; they start from 128g/km.
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The Mercedes-Benz A 250 e plug-in hybrid is expected to prove increasingly popular. It pairs the 1.3-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a system output of 218PS. It’s the fastest regular new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds. A 15.6kWh battery gives up to 50 miles’ pure electric driving, plus on-paper fuel economy of up to 353mpg, and CO2 emissions from 18g/km.
The performance Mercedes-AMG A-Class line-up comprises the A35 4Matic, whose 306PS 2.0-litre turbo engine serves up 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. It’s available in both hatchback and saloon guise. Both now feature 48V mild hybrid technology, helping them return almost 35mpg.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ produces 421PS, for 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds. It’s notably thirstier though, and CO2 emissions start from 200g/km.
The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class suspension has largely been left unchanged, save for mild tweaks to improve stability and refinement. Active safety tech has been enhanced though, with less intrusive lane-keeping assist that operates through the car’s active steering wheel.
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Ask HJ
How accurate are car speedometers?
Some local authorities are proposing that drivers will be given penalty notices for exceeding 20mph limit by as little as one mile per hour. Does this match the level of accuracy of speedometers? I thought that they had a calibration error of plus or minus 3mph.
There is an element of inaccuracy built into speedometers. Legally, they can't under-read, so manufacturers usually configure them to over-read. That means you shouldn't accidentally break the speed limit.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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Is a diesel still better than petrol for high mileages?
I have been a diesel car driver covering around 30,000 per year for the last 10 years and would like to add my two pence to the conversation. Along the A1, the cheapest fuel I have found is at Tesco Huntington, with petrol at £165 and diesel at £183. Comparing a BMW F30 320d and 320i M Sport Auto using an online tool, I think the petrol is a better option even at 25,000 miles per year. According to the website, I will get 50.2mpg from diesel and 38mpg from petrol. At 25,000 miles per year, diesel is £4,475, and petrol is £4,900. I agree that the petrol version will cost an additional £425 per year. However, with the purchasing price difference of about £2,000, the breakeven point will be at year four. Calculating the additional cost of higher insurance, servicing, and AdBlue for the diesel car will equate to a breakeven point at year five. As you might have noticed, I have not included DPF in my costing for the diesel or usage of E10 petrol in my costings. How can Honest John continue to recommend diesel below 30,000 miles per year?
Our Real MPG data suggests readers see 51.4mpg on average from the 320d and 33.1mpg from the 320i. If you're covering 25,000 a year at 166.54p/litre [the average petrol price this week according to the RAC's Fuel Watch] in the 320i, you'll pay £5718.32 a year in fuel. If you're covering 25k a year at 190.49p/litre [diesel] at 51.4mpg, you'll pay £4211.99 in fuel. That's quite a significant saving of more than £1,500 every year. Running costs aside, diesels are generally better suited to long-distance driving than petrols. They have more low-down torque which makes them more relaxed on motorway drives. They have a longer range, so you'll have to stop and refuel less often. And, if you're covering 25,000-plus a year on the motorway, you're unlikely to have issues with the DPF as it'll regenerate regularly and not get clogged up.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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