Review - Mercedes-Benz A250

That’s where today’s subject, the Mercedes-Benz A Class steps into the equation, which gives buyers the options of a hatchback or sedan, paired with Mercedes’ typically high-standard of interior packaging and smooth driving dynamics.

We’re going to take a look at the car sitting directly in the middle of the A-Class lineup, the A250, which gives us a chance to see whether or not Mercedes gives buyers enough in their mid-range offerings, or whether they’re pushing buyers to more expensive models in the lineup. 

So, just how good is Mercedes’ smallest car, and how well does it hold up when put under the microscope to find out its space, features, practicality, fuel economy and safety? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $51,500

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Mercedes-Benz A250 (4MATIC) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Mercedes-Benz A250 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Mercedes A-Class lineup kicks off from $45,100 for the entry-level A180, while prices for the A250 range start at $51,500 in the form of the A250 hatchback. If you’re looking for a sedan body type, the equivalent A250 sedan is priced from $53,500. From here, the range moves to the all-wheel drive A250 4Matic which costs $57,800 for the hatch and $59,700 for the sedan. Finally, the A250 lineup is topped by the hybrid A250e, which is available as a hatch for $63,400 or $66,000 for the sedan variant. 

As a reminder, these prices do not include on-road costs and are subject to change. 

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What Features Does the Mercedes-Benz A250 Have?

The entry-level Mercedes-Benz A250 comes packaged with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘style’ exterior body-styling kit, a pair of dual 10.25-inch displays, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, keyless entry & start, artico leatherette upholstery, LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assist, wireless smartphone charging and some safety features like active parking assist, traffic sign recognition and blind-spot assistance. 

Moving to the A250 4Matic adds an AMG exterior body styling pack, panoramic sunroof, sport seats finished in microfibre with red contrast stitching, a nappa leather steering wheel, sports direct steering system, stainless steel pedals, 64-colour ambient lighting system, as well as lowered multi-link rear comfort suspension. 

Range Features: 

• 18-inch alloy wheels 

• 2 x 10.25-inch screens with DAB+, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay 

• LED headlights 

• Artico leatherette interior upholstery 

• Reversing camera with Parktronic park assist 

• AMG bodykit (A250 4Matic)

• Panoramic sunroof (A250 4Matic)

• Comfort suspension (A250 4Matic) 

• Multilink rear suspension (A250 4Matic) 

Mercedes-Benz A250 Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

While the A-Class might be the cheapest horse in the Mercedes-Benz stable, it offers a great driving dynamic compared to other hatches and small sedans on the market. Mercedes’ attention to detail is clear to see in the A250, which offers an extremely comfortable and refined driving dynamic around town. The engines on offer in the A250 lineup provide more than enough power for the average driver, while performance enthusiasts will be impressed at just how nippy the A250 is thanks to its 165kW/350Nm engine. Combined with Mercedes’ suspension system which minimises body roll, the A250 is actually a surprising and genuine performer, and will surely put a smile on your face when you press the throttle down. 

The short wheelbase and firm suspension does, however, mean that you do feel a number of the bumps on the road, overall the comfort on offer in the A250 is great, although it’s worth taking into consideration that the A-Class overall is more suited to the urban environment than it is country B-roads. Thankfully, in and around the city, the A250 is a dream to drive, offering a tight turning circle that makes car parks and parallel parking an easy task. Overall, the A250 very much lives up to what you’d expect from a Mercedes-Benz, and will prove a welcome addition to your work commute and weekends away. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

While it might be the smallest Mercedes in the range, that doesn’t necessarily mean the A250 is impractical. In the front of the cabin, the driver and front passenger are treated to an exceptionally well-crafted interior, with a huge amount of space and adjustment in the seats to get comfortable. The dash is headlined by the two large 10-inch screens - one for the driver and one for the infotainment system - which has opened up even more space in the front of the cabin. 

In the rear of the cabin, there is more space than you might expect from a car of this size, with enough head and legroom on offer for adults, although taller adults might struggle when it comes to headroom. Overall, though, there’s enough space for trips around town, and you won’t hear any complaints from kids or teenagers on long road trips, either. In the boot, there is 430L of cargo storage on offer in the sedan, which shrinks down to 370L in the hatchback; this increases to 1210L with the rear seats folded down. Note that boot space in the hybrid A250e variant shrinks to 355L and 310L, meaning that added economy comes at the expense of cargo storage. 

For those with children, the ISOFIX and top tether mounting points are easily accessible, although squeezing some of the larger child seats out there inside the narrow pillars of the A250 might be a chore if you’re in a rush. Overall, though, the A250 is surprisingly more spacious and practical than you might expect from a hatchback of this size, and is worth test-driving if you’ve got a family but you’re unsure if they’ll fit in comfortably. 

Is it Safe? 

The Mercedes A250, like the rest of the A-Class lineup, have been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five star safety rating, scoring 96 out of 100 for adult occupant protection and 91 out of 100 for child occupants. All models come packed with lane keep assist, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring and active parking assist, meaning there’s no need to upgrade if you’re looking for the best safety gear. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The entry-level A250 sedan and hatch are rated at 6.5L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the all-wheel drive 4Matic variant brings this figure up to 6.6L per 100km. Considering just how much power is on offer in the A250, that’s actually a pretty impressive economy figure. The highlight of the range, in the context of economy, though, is no doubt the A250e which returns figures of just 1.6L per 100km, thanks to its hybrid powertrain. The A250e can also travel more than 70km on electric power alone. 

Our Verdict: Is the Mercedes A250 Worth it? 

The Mercedes A250 is a superb little car, which is reflected by the fact that it is consistently dominating sales for its segment of the market. If you have your eyes on a luxurious, compact and stylish sedan or hatch, the A250 is one of the most attractive offerings on the market. So long as you’re aware of the fact that you’re sacrificing some interior space in the rear of the cabin and it fits your lifestyle perfectly, we’d recommend you shortlist the A250 and organise yourself a test-drive in the very near future. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. 1.6L per 100km economy figure for A250e hybrid; 6.5L per 100km as standard

3. More space and rear occupant comfort in sedan over hatchback variant 

4. Sedan boot space of 430L, 370L for hatch

5. Prices range between $51,500 - $66,000 

Pros 

• Exciting engine paired with smooth transmission 

• Sleek interior styling with two futuristic displays 

• Extremely impressive economy of A250e hybrid variant  

Cons

• Expensive, and that’s before you’ve taken a look at the options list 

• Limited boot space, particularly in the hybrid 

• Firm ride from stiff suspension; comfort suspension available as optional extra 

OnlineAuto Rating: 7.5/10

Mercedes-Benz A250 Competition