Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line (2023) Review - A Fashion Statement Hatchback

The current generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a lot going for it and has stepped up to the task in full compared to the previous generation. Do the normal non-sporty variants hold up though?

Interior & Space

There was a time when a specific subset of the car-buying public moaned that the previous generation A-Class. That is why would anyone pay premium money for a hatchback. As if hatchbacks were solely designated for the budget market. The thing that subset of the car-buying public neglected to think about was that Mercedes-Benz had laid down a good foundation down for a platform of which they improved upon. This proved many nay-sayers wrong. Thus came the current generation A-Class.

The current generation A-Class certainly makes a bold statement when it comes to compact luxury, and the hot versions have warranted the ‘hyper hatchback’ moniker. However, how do the non-sporty versions tend to fair? We had the A200 in AMG Line fascia on test.

Styling 

This scribe must say, that the current generation of Mercedes-Benz design language is graceful. The front fascias are smoothly bold, while the side profiles flow like silk to a curvy rear end. This is much the case with the A-Class here, and the AMG Line body kit makes this vehicle more of a head-turner. It’s worth mentioning that this is the facelifted A-Class. This vehicle appeals to the trendy youth, for the most part, for those who want a dynamically styled vehicle. It will definitely fit in around Johannesburg North, ala Sandton.

Notable design cues in the front include a Silver-Arrow pattern front grille, large gloss black bumper inserts and slanted LED headlamps. The AMG Line kit has 19-inch gloss black multi-spoke wheels nestled into the lowered arches. The side profile has a low-slung-looking roofline and flows into the rear of the A-Class. You’ll find a twin-exit chromed exhaust tips, and the rear bumper incorporates aerodynamic slits. The A200 here has the looks to match the fashionable owner.

Space & Interior 

Inside the A200, the compact exterior looks are deceiving as space utilisation in the A200’s cabin is expertly done. The dashboard is compacted in rather than protruding out. The shape theme on the dashboard is circular and mimics that of retro Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The centre console is smooth and uncluttered, whilst the centre stack only consists of the air vents and manual climate controls. It is interesting to see the usage of manual climate control switch gear in a premium vehicle in this range but to contrast that, we have a digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.

In terms of the interior colour swatch, you’ll find primarily dark grey and gloss black in the cabin materials, whilst there are silver trim pieces and red subtly in the seat stitching. The cabin materials are top quality and supple to the touch, and the switchgear quality feels premium. Unfortunately, with the climate controls, the switchgear feel is lacking a bit. More attention could have been given here. Regarding Boot Space, you have 355 litres of capacity, which can be extended to 1195 litres when you fold down the rear seats. Rear seating is comfortable enough for adults, too.

Mercedes-AMG A-Class Rules the Streets

Comfort & Convenience 

The AMG Line Package in the A200 includes bucket seats trimmed in partial leather and Alcantara. Much like the other interior materials, the seating is soft to the touch and is supportive. The soft feel extends to the rear seats, too. Noise levels in the cabin are minimal in day-to-day usage. Comfort naturally was a top priority here. The A200 here comes with the latest edition of the MBUX infotainment system. While it does take a bit of time to learn all the menus and such, the system is responsive. The system comes with the Advanced Sound System which was well tuned and lovely to play around with when it came to various music genres. The A200 utilises the latest steering wheel controls, a mixture of touch and physical buttons. These controls, unfortunately, miss the mark here as a dedicated track skip button for music instead of a mini touchpad to scroll would have been welcomed. Despite that, the cabin of the A200 is trendy and comfortable.

How much is my Mercedes-Benz A-Class worth?

Performance 

The A200 employs a 1.3 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 120 kW and 270 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7G-DCT transmission. The powerplant here is refined, but it lacks the fizz to match the agility this vehicle has. While this scribe doesn’t expect it to be an A45 by any stretch, the power delivery could have been a bit cheekier rather than linear as it is now. The AMG Line comes with sports brakes and comfort suspension, which is also lowered. The A200’s chassis is fun to throw around, and handling extras here sweetens the deal. The A200 remains poised when negotiating tight urban settings. Do the handling extras make the ride quality harsh for daily usage? No, it’s quite compliant.

Fuel Economy 

Claimed fuel consumption for the A200 sits at 5.6l /100km. We managed to hover around the 8.0l /100km mark, but this was purely urban usage as this scribe didn’t have a chance to do much open-road driving.

Safety 

You’ll find the following safety items in the test unit we had:

• 7 Airbags as standard (Optionally 9)
• Parking Package (Reverse Camera and Parking Pilot)
• Adaptive High beam assist
• Active steering assist
• *Traffic Sign Assist
• *Driving Assistance Package (DISTRONIC Active Dist. Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE system)

*Available as a paid extra.

Price 

  *Pricing stated here was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change without any prior notice.   The top 3 things you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Competitors 

• Volkswagen Golf GTI Jacara Edition
• BMW 128ti
• Hyundai i30 N
• Toyota GR Yaris
• Toyota GR Corolla

Verdict 

The Mercedes-Benz A200 in AMG Line trim is a lovely premium hatchback. It does lack the engine fizz to match the looks and agility, especially considering that the A200’s price competitors are actually bespoke sports hatchbacks. However, the price competitors mentioned don’t have the same premium feel and quality that the Merc offers here. If you purely look at this vehicle as a bold fashion statement, though, by all means, it’s for you. It hits the mark when it comes to compact luxury.

Keyword: Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line (2023) Review - A Fashion Statement Hatchback