When Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off its all-new, first-generation A-Class compact family car way back in 1997, it was heralded as an engineering breakthrough, a completely new way to think about designing and building the motor car. Sure, the car wasn’t without the odd well-documented and cripplingly embarrassing hiccup as a result (more on those later), but following some swift dynamic revisions and the addition of a standard stability control system, the car went on to be a tremendous success.
Fast-forward to the present day, and the latest A-Class – introduced in 2018 and facelifted in 2023 – isn’t the engineering trailblazer that the first A-Class was, but it is still enormously popular and it continues the push the envelope in a variety of other ways. In this guide, we look back at the history of the entry-level model in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, to see where it came from, and where it is now…
Generations: 4
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk4
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk3
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk2
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk1
Mercedes-Benz A-Class 4th Generation (2018-)
The latest A-Class may not have the innovative engineering of the original, but you could argue that it is just as innovative in other areas, areas that are arguably much more important to modern-day car buyers. We’re talking, of course, about the areas of infotainment and connectivity, because in that sense, the A-Class is about as cutting-edge as it gets.
Key to that is the MBUX infotainment system, which uses twin screens – one behind the steering wheel that acts as a digital instrument binnacle with all you regular driving information (speedo, fuel gauge, etc) and a central one that deals with all your regular infotainment functions (stereo, nav, etc) – all presented in one cohesive-looking unit.
Depending on the age and the trim level of the A-Class in question, these screens can measure either 7.0- or 10.25 inches. Initially, cars in SE, Sport and AMG Line specification got the smaller items, while Sport Executive and AMG Line Executive versions got the bigger central screen, and AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus models added the bigger instrument panel on top. Both bigger screens were made standard across the range during the 2023 facelift.
On top of the touchscreen functionality, Mercedes has also included natural speech recognition as part of its operating system so that you can converse with the car after giving the command ‘Hey Mercedes’. And of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also provided. The whole setup looks absolutely fabulous, offers bags of really impressive functionality, and despite being rather complex, it’s also reasonably intuitive to use.
Standard equipment throughout the range includes alloy wheels, cruise control and keyless entry, on top of the clever infotainment system.
It’s all aimed at a tech-savvy audience, of course, but that doesn’t mean practicality has been forgotten. Thanks to a longer wheelbase and larger boot than the Mk3, this generation of A-Class is easier to live with than its predecessor, if still not as versatile as the 1997 original.
Unlike previous versions of the A-Class, this latest model is offered in both A-Class hatchback and A-Class saloon body styles, providing Mercedes with a rival to the Audi A3 Saloon, and a cheaper alternative to the C-Class and E-Class saloons. It’s also offered with a wide range of powertrains, including a tax-efficient plug-in hybrid option. Looking for something sporty? Well the Mercedes-AMG A35 is very fast, while the range-topping AMG A45 S 4Matic is frankly insane.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk4 review
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class 3rd Generation (2012-2018)
While few doubted how innovative the original A-Class had been, there remained doubts that its unconventional design was holding it back from a younger audience. Hence why the third-generation A-Class ditched the sandwich floor construction and MPV-like stance in favour of something with the engineering and appearance of a conventional family hatchback. Front-wheel drive remained the order of the day (although four-wheel drive versions were available, too) and although the interior was nothing like as versatile as with the older models, sales soared.
Key to the car’s appeal was the quality feel to its interior (note the circular air vents which, according to Mercedes, stood out ‘like sparkling jewels’) and the hi-tech edge provided by the built-in tablet-style infotainment system. Models with a diesel engine were also extremely economical, with the most frugal offering upwards of 80 mpg in EU fuel economy tests, and CO2 emissions were correspondingly impressive.
On the safety front, all examples of the third-generation A-Class came with a Collision Prevention Assist function that monitors the road ahead and warns the driver if it senses an impact is imminent, while also priming the brakes to deliver their full power the moment the driver touches the pedal.
You can’t talk about this generation of A-Class without also mentioning the A45 AMG (pictured). At its launch in 2013, this four-wheel-drive super-hatch produced an astonishing 355bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, which was enough to launch it from a standstill to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. If you’re looking for an A-Class that’ll get your pulse racing, the A45 AMG is it.
It was the underpinnings of this generation of A-Class that first spawned four-door coupe and Shooting Brake variants, but these were badged separately as the CLA.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk3 review
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2nd Generation (2004-2012)
The second generation of A-Class was all about refining the concept of the innovative original. To that end, it retained the pioneering sandwich floor construction (more on that below), but introduced the option of having three- or five doors, while boot space had grown slightly and technologies including adaptive damping, a CVT automatic gearbox (known as Autotronic) and sat-nav were introduced.
As with the first-generation A-Class, practicality was unrivalled for a vehicle of this size; find a model where the optional Easy-Vario-Plus box has been ticked, and not only can the rear seats be folded or removed, but so can the front passenger seat.
A facelift in 2009 included the introduction of stop-start technology to allow the engine to cut out when the car was stationary, resulting in what Mercedes calculated were fuel savings of up to 9 per cent in city driving. A USB input allowed for an iPod to be connected, while on the safety front, Mercedes introduced adaptive brake lights, which would pulse under emergency braking conditions.
As a further refinement, if the A-Class’s compact dimensions and excellent visibility weren’t enough to calm nervous parkers, Mercedes also introduced an Active Park Assist function that would automatically steer the car into spaces.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk2 review
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1st Generation (1997-2004)
Even those with no interest in cars couldn’t fail to miss the arrival of the original A-Class in 1997, primarily because it was splashed all over their television screens, toppling over as it underwent the so-called ‘Elk Test’. As a result of that infamous footage, Mercedes altered the A-Class’s suspension and ESP system to make its on-limit handling more stable, and then set about the delicate task of trying to remind people that its revolutionary small car still had many good points.
The majority of them stemmed from the fact that for the new A-Class, Mercedes had rethought car design from the ground up. The result was what was referred to as a ‘sandwich floor construction’, which placed many of the major components - such as the engine and gearbox - between two steel floors underneath the passenger compartment. In the event of a crash, these components would then slide between the floors rather than intruding into where the driver and passenger were sitting, making the Mercedes A-Class incredibly safe for a vehicle of its size.
The other advantage of such a layout was that it allowed for a spacious interior in what was still a compact car. In fact, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class offered as much room for passengers as cars from the class above, and that was before Mercedes also introduced a long-wheelbase version. The light controls and raised driving position (Mercedes reckoned it was 20cm higher than you’d sit in a conventional car) also made it very easy to drive.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mk1 review
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