The Mercedes-Benz A250 Sedan AMG Line features many of the brand’s latest tech and better refined than the old A-Class.
For many years, new tech in cars is pretty much trickled down from flagship down to entry-level models. in this review of the new-generation Mercedes-Benz A250 Sedan AMG Line, we found that it is the other way around.
The A-Class is the second model to receive the updated ‘Sensual Purity’ design language and the first Mercedes-Benz passanger car to come with the new MBUX system.
Besides that, the Mercedes-Benz A250 Sedan AMG Line is the first four-door sedan in the A-Class range. And no, the CLA doesn’t count.
The exterior
Mercedes-Benz cars are made to last, which is why the new design language emphasise on cleanliness. The A 250 Sedan appears less fussy than the previous model while retaining the youthful look.
Moreover, the four-door A 250 is much more slippery too; with a drag coefficient of 0.22, it cuts through the air better than a Tesla Model 3 and even better than the bigger CLS!
The A 250 Sedan AMG Line comes with LED headlights with daytime running lamps, which also acts as a signal indicator. This comes with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus as standard, which automatically engages and disengages the high beam when it senses a car ahead or when approaching oncoming traffic.
At the rear, the combination light cluster also features LEDs throughout. The reverse lamps may look tiny but thanks to super-bright LEDs, they light up dark spaces adequately for the rear-facing camera when backing up.
The interior
Inside, the A-Class’ classy and simplistic interior layout is unique than its larger siblings. Build quality is top-notch as expected from an established premium automaker. There are no hard edges or jagged surfaces to be felt or seen.
The 8-way electrically adjustable seats are comfortable and supportive which can cater to many bodies of shapes and sizes. The front seats also come with manually extendable thigh support. Likewise, the steering column’s reach and height adjustments are done manually as well.
The front seats also feature Energizing Seat Kinetics which supports orthopaedic changes in the seating posture. Basically, the front seats help change the front occupants’ sitting position with small minute adjustments to reduce fatigue on long journeys. It’s a bit like stretching, but the seat is doing it for you.
At the back, the indented rear seat rests offer adequate lateral and shoulder support, with adequate head and legroom for adults under 1.8 metres tall. There is enough room for a young teen in the middle but an adult has to squeeze in.
The infotainment system
Instead of the traditional instrument binnacle, the A 250 Sedan AMG Line features two 10.25-inch digital displays, one for the car’s vitals and for the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. The former is a non-touch surface and the latter is.
There’s also the left control panel on the multifunction sports steering wheel and the touchpad on the lower centre console which allows access to the infotainment system to keep the screen spotless from greasy fingerprints. The touchpad features haptic feedback which vibrates when you browse through the MBUX —which is meant to be pronounced “Emm-Bee-You-Ex— interface.
If you wish not to take your hands off the steering wheel at all costs, then there’s the voice command feature. Simply say “Hey Mercedes”, or “Hi Mercedes”, or just “Mercedes” to activate the system.
You can access things like media, navigation, read out SMS messages and even climate control simply by voice commands. The only thing is that it doesn’t understand vagueness and you have to be very specific with your commands.
The interior lighting may not a deal-breaker, but a must-have novelty in the A 250. With 64 individual hues or 10 presets to choose from which mixes (or randomise) the lighting in the car.
The MBUX system has also five default themes which not only influences the MBUX, digital instrument cluster interface and mood lighting, but also the drive mode of the A 250. For example, selecting the ‘Experience’ theme switches the mood lighting turns to yellow, the display style to ‘Dynamic’ and the drivetrain mode to ‘Sport’.
Much like the Windows operating system, you can create your own theme with your prefered instrument cluster interface style, mood lighting and drivetrain mode. Also, you can select a wide array of stock images to help identify your own.
Practicality
Despite lacking the fifth door, the A 250 Limousine is just as practical. The boot space measures in at 420-litres, 50-litres more than the five-door version. However, the boot aperture is much smaller than the hatchback. The 60/40 folding rear seats can give way for more space when needed.
In the interior space, the newer generation has more usable cubbies than the previous outgoing model. There’s a big and deep cubby located right below the centre stack, deep door pockets on all four doors, under the split opening centre armrest and in the foldable rear centre armrest. And in total, the A 250 Sedan has eight cup holders.
What’s under the hood of the A 250 Sedan AMG Line
Powering the A 250 Sedan is a 1,991 cc direct-injection four-cylinder DOHC engine which makes 221 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 1,800–4,000 rpm. This engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust particulate filter.
Mated to the engine is Mercedes-Benz’s in-house 7G-DCT transmission. The gearbox is a dual-clutch automatic transmission with seven forward ratios, converting the engine’s power to the front wheels.
Driving & Performance
The Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan is an easy car to drive. The driver’s line of sight is unobstructed. Better yet, the low mounted wing mirrors provide a wider view angle which helps aid driving in tight spots and makes the A 250 an easier car to place on the road.
The ratios of the 7G-DCT transmission complement the engine’s low-end torque, providing an effortlessly responsive drive on urban roads and a comfortable cruiser on the highway. Also, noise intrusion isn’t an issue inside thanks to its low drag coefficient and adequate sound dampening beneath.
However, with the AMG Line’s sportier suspension tune, the A 250’s ride is firm on the less extreme side of the scale. However it is much improved over the outgoing model’s much-criticised crashy ride characteristics.
Handling wise, the A 250 Sedan drives much like a toned-down performance hatchback. There is some playfulness and part-throttle turn-in-ability, albeit governed imperceptibly by the electronics in the background.
You could set the stability management to “Sport” which does give a small amount of slip, but there is no way of turning it completely off. Perhaps, you’re better off leaving it on as intended.
Should I get one?
The Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan would make a good daily compact car minus the harshness and flaws of the outgoing model. Besides having the larger boot and the lack of a wide opening, you’ll won’t go wrong if you have to choose either the five- or four-door variant because everything is similar from nose to rear door.
The A 250 Sedan is practical, easy to drive and fussless. Its a nice car to live with if you’re a non-driving enthusiast. Better yet, it is just as refined as the bigger C-Class sedan. That said, could the new A-Class Sedan swoon current C-Class owners? It might probably.
Tester’s Note: The small Mercedes-Benz sedan has seen much improvement. And with the C-Class-like refinement, the A-Class feels matured but lacks excitement. Probably that’s to be had in hotter A 35 and A 45 AMG. We give the A 250 Sedan AMG Line 4.5 out of 5 stars.
2019 Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan AMG Line (CBU)
Price RM267,888
On Sale Now
Engine 1,991 cc four-cylinder, direct-injection, twin-scroll turbocharger, DOHC
Power 221bhp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,800–4,000 rpm
Gearbox 7-speed DCT
Kerb weight 1,445 kg
Top speed 245 km/h (tested)
0-100km/h 6.7 seconds (tested)
