Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-AMG A45 review - is AMG's hot hatch capable of bringing the fight to the Focus RS? - Design

Incredible performance and grip, but lacking the involvement and fun that a great hot hatch requires

Evo rating
RRP
from £39,995
  • Blisteringly quick
  • Not quite as rewarding as less powerful and cheaper rivals

Design

In standard exterior trim, the A45 AMG could almost be described as understated, with little more than sculpted bumpers and side skirts to reveal its intentions. But hand over an extra £1530 for the AMG Aerodynamic Package and Mercedes will add a certain amount of laryness to your car with the addition of a bold rear wing, a diffuser and carbon fibre winglets up front.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The A45 AMG sits on 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels as standard. Although, 19-inch wheels are available as an option. Normally we’d be tempted towards the smaller rims in order to salvage some comfort, but the minuscule difference in ride quality and more aggressive stance of the 19s make them a worthwhile upgrade.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Forget the gloom, Car of the Year proved we're in a performance car golden era
eCoty
Opinion

Forget the gloom, Car of the Year proved we're in a performance car golden era

Fewer manuals and higher weights than ever. But 2025's best performance cars were still thrilling
3 Jan 2026
The BMW M2 CS should have been amazing, so why was it the biggest letdown?
BMW M2 CS
Opinion

The BMW M2 CS should have been amazing, so why was it the biggest letdown?

Meaden found his perfect two-car garage at this year's evo Car of the Year, but it doesn't feature Munich's latest
31 Dec 2025
Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package
Best performance SUVs
Best cars

Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package

High-performance SUV sounds like an oxymoron but in 2026, brute force engineering and clever chassis tech have given us some genuinely exciting fast 4…
5 Jan 2026