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In-depth reviews

Mercedes A-Class hybrid review

The smallest plug-in that Mercedes makes, the A 250 e is also one of the most efficient. It's a great, if not overly exciting, company-car choice

Mercedes A 250 e
Overall rating

4.0 out of 5

RRP
£41,055 £46,485
Fuel Type:
Hybrid Petrol

Pros

  • Very efficient
  • Low company-car tax
  • Class-leading interior

Cons

  • Unrefined drivetrain
  • Occasionally lumpy ride
  • Hatchback no longer available
Car typeElectric rangeFuel economyCO2 emissions
Plug-in hybrid47-53 miles282.5-353.1mpg23g/km

Mercedes’ current line-up features an impressive array of plug-in hybrids as the brand strives to offer customers more electrified options. The A-Class saloon is the smallest and most affordable plug-in Mercedes on-sale right now, slotting in below the larger C-Class, E-Class and S-Class hybrids. The A 250 e arrived just ahead of Audi’s new A3 TFSI e, while BMW is still yet to release a direct competitor. The Merc's other rival is the latest iteration of the Volkswagen Golf GTE.

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At its core, the A 250 e offers most of what more expensive hybrids bring to the table, just in a slightly more affordable package. That includes good looks, a luxurious interior and advanced in-car technology, combined with its potentially low running costs. Yet, this impressive plug-in hybrid now starts from around £41,000, which feels a little steep for a small family car. If your lifestyle allows a fully electric car, the A-Class costs a similar amount to the Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault Megane E-TECH Electric. However, strong residuals typically mean keen monthly finance rates for the A-Class.

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Under the bonnet of the A 250 e you’ll find a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine – the same one used in the A200, but with a 101bhp electric motor and 15.6kWh battery allowing for a respectable range of up to 53 miles on electricity alone and a total power figure of 215bhp. Our test drive suggested that Mercedes’ range estimate is quite accurate, too.

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The plug-in A-Class’ efficiency figures are very appealing, too, with CO2 emissions of 23g/km and Mercedes claiming fuel economy of up to 353mpg. As a result, the A 250 e would also fare well as a company car, offering one of the cheapest rates of tax for a car that’s not pure-electric – and these rates should stay consistent until at least April 2024.

From a home wallbox supplying electricity at 7.4kW, the A 250 e will recharge from 10 to 100% capacity in an hour and 45 minutes.

Trims span the usual AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Premium Plus, with new prices starting from around £41,500. As of the summer 2023, the A 250 e is available in the UK exclusively as a saloon, so if you’re after a hatchback (pictured above), you’ll need to scour the used car network.

The axing of the A 250 e hatchback coincided with a facelift for the A-Class range. Highlights included a revised bumper, reshaped front grille, a pair of bonnet bulges and new on-board technology.

Read on for the rest of our in-depth review of the A-Class plug-in hybrid…

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Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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