Mercedes-AMG A 45 (2019 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 is a top-of-the-range performance variant of the five-door Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback, which arrived in the UK in Summer 2019.
The next step up from the Mercedes-AMG A 35 hot hatch, buyers can choose from the regular 387hp A 45, or the sportier 421hp A 45 S, both options using the same eight-speed automatic gearbox. The latter is the most powerful hot hatch currently in production, thanks to its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that utlises a large turbocharger to produce a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds.
Car Keys explains: “With its performance, astonishing drive and quality, this Mercedes AMG A 45 is no normal ‘hot hatch’, and truly enters uncharted territory for a model like this.”
Taking after bigger models in the Mercedes-AMG family, the A 45 has speed and acceleration that other similarly-sized hot hatches, like the Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus ST, simply cannot match.
However, this disparity is reflected by its price. “Incredible power sets the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S apart”, says Carbuyer, “but its price tag is almost as breathtaking.”
Prices for the Mercedes-AMG A 45 start from £57,995, which is around £25,000 more than the cost of a stock Ford Focus ST, and more than double the price of a regular A-Class hatchback. For this price, the only hyper-hatch rival that can match the acceleration of the A 45 is the Audi RS 3.
Other than its cost, UK reviewers often point out that the interior trim of the A 45 isn’t much of an upgrade on the regular A-Class, and that despite the inherent quality of the motor, the engine tones from the previous generation of Mercedes-AMG A 45 sound better.
That said, reviews for the A 45 also frequently single out the hatchback’s responsive handling and quality transmission for particular praise, while Auto Express affirms that the A 45 has managed to retain the practicalities of the wholesale family hatchback it is based on, combining it with “the savagery of a true performance car.”
As of January 2022, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 holds an Expert Rating of 83%, based on 11 reviews published by the UK media.
A 45 highlights
- Has the most powerful four-cylinder in production
- Very fast straight-line speed
- Agile handling and body control
- Quick-shifting gearbox
- Still a practical hatchback
A 45 lowlights
- Very expensive
- More interior quality expected for price
- Rivals have better infotainment
- Old model sounds better
- Hard to argue against opting for A 35 instead
Key specifications
Body style: Medium five-doot hot hatchEngines: petrol
Price: From £57,885 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: SScore: 9 / 10“Mercedes-AMG has combined the savagery of a true performance car with the civility of a small family hatchback in the new A 45 S.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: “The Mercedes-AMG A35 is the sporty version of the regular A-Class, boasting 306 horsepower, all-wheel drive and combining Golf R level performance with a premium vibe that’s beyond what any Volkswagen could ever offer.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: S“The eight-speed dualclutch auto is the best I’ve felt in a Mercedes, fairly zinging through both up and downshifts, and only rarely, on circuit, delaying when you ask for shifts at high revs.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: SScore: 10 / 10“Imbued with a little extra heft, the steering is pleasingly meaty and ruthlessly accurate, communicating a whiff more about what’s going on under the front tyres than expected.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 10Score: 10 / 10“With its performance, astonishing drive and quality, this Mercedes AMG A 45 is no normal ‘hot hatch’, and truly enters uncharted territory for a model like this.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“Incredible power sets the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S apart but its price tag is almost as breathtaking.”
Read review
Carwow
Score: 9 / 10“The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S has a stonking 421hp engine and a drift mode that’ll put a smile on your face. That said, its hefty price tag might just wipe it off again.”
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: SScore: 9 / 10“The new Mercedes-AMG A45 isn’t just fast, it’s enjoyable too – but it’s not cheap either.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Score: 7.8 / 10” The five-door hatchback bodystyle means it’s more practical than the BMW M2 Competition and it’ll handle far better than the outgoing Audi RS3 Sportback, but the A 45 S has none of the soundtrack or comfort of the two.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The most powerful hot hatch in series production operates unobtrusively when you don’t demand much, and goes properly feral when you do.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: SScore: 8 / 10“Make no mistake, the A45 is more than just a one-trick pony.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2018
96%
ADULT OCCUPANT
91%
CHILD OCCUPANT
92%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
75%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 has not specifically been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but it shares its safety rating with the overall A-Class range that scored five stars when it was tested in 2018.
Available as standard on the A 45 is automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and driver attention monitoring. Blind-spot monitoring is also available for an extra cost.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-AMG A 45 has received
2022
- What Car? Awards – Best hot hatch
2020
- What Car? Awards – Best hot hatch for big spenders
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-AMG A 45, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi RS 3 | BMW M135i | Cupra Leon | Ford Focus ST | Honda Civic Type R | Hyundai i30 N | Renault Megane RS | Volkswagen Golf GTI
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Keyword: Mercedes-AMG A 45