Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-Benz A-class review - does facelift bring the fight back to rivals? - Mercedes-Benz A-class engine and gearbox

A conventional hatch now, the A-class fights hard in the premium hatchback class

Evo rating
RRP
from £19,990
  • Neat interior, head-turning looks and comparatively cheap to own and run
  • Dynamically it doesn’t live up to its visual promise, space and comfort are issues

The engine line-up looks relatively simple to follow, there being A160, A180, A200, A220 and A250s on offer. The A160 is petrol-only, while those A180s come in both petrol and diesel guises. The same is true of the A200, while the A220 is a diesel only and the A250 stops only at the green pump.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Those model numbers have little in common with the capacity of the engines they’re powered by. Closest is the A160 which does indeed use a 1.6-litre engine, but the diesel A180d has a 1.5-litre unit, the A180 a more potent petrol 1.6, the A200d a 2.1-litre diesel and the A200 features the 1.6-litre from the A160 and A180, tuned for yet more power.

Still following? The A220d features that 2.1-litre diesel unit again, and the A250 boasts two litres of swept capacity. All are four-cylinder engines. Blame, or thank, turbocharging for the badging anomalies, as every engine in the A-Class features forced induction. Outputs range from a modest 101bhp in the A160 to a more pleasing 215bhp in the A250.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard in all cars, with Mercedes-Benz offering the option of its seven-speed DCT twin-clutch automatic. It’s a fine choice, especially given the rather vague springiness of that six-speed manual. It benefits not just performance against the clock, but fuel economy, too.

It’s a smooth transmission so long as you don’t try to hurry it, where it can get a bit flustered. Fiddle with the optional modes and it’s less satisfying. The Eco setting is so desperate to eke out every possible bit of efficiency it feels extremely slow to react; Sport on the other hand is way too enthusiastic to hold onto revs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Used Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7, 2014-2020) review – the original hyper hatch now cheaper than any new car on sale today
Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7) front
In-depth reviews

Used Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7, 2014-2020) review – the original hyper hatch now cheaper than any new car on sale today

We were always huge fans of the Mk7 VW Golf R. That its successor has never quite lived up to its high standards has only underlined how good it was
1 May 2025
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 2025 review – a rare Italian jewel beyond compare
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale front
Reviews

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 2025 review – a rare Italian jewel beyond compare

What’s Alfa Romeo’s near-£2m hand-built supercar like to drive? We find out, on the Balocco test track
29 Apr 2025
GMA T.50 v McLaren F1 – has the best car in the world been dethroned by its successor?
GMA T.50 v McLaren F1 – front
Group tests

GMA T.50 v McLaren F1 – has the best car in the world been dethroned by its successor?

We test Gordon Murray's hypercar dynasty – the McLaren F1 and the GMA T.50 – head to head to see which comes out on top as the ultimate exotic
3 May 2025