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Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks

Sanjay · Jul 24, 2021 09:00 AM

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 01

In this week's edition of the WapCar Ratings we have the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan. Priced from RM 259,255, this fully-imported (CBU Germany) compact executive sedan goes against the BMW 218i Gran Coupe in Malaysia.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 02

Per our recent similar articles, all photos and measurements were taken before MCO. Keep in mind too that the scores here are relative to cars in the A250's segment, and not the new-car market as a whole.

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Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Driving Performance - 35/50, Shining star on the road

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 01

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Facts and Figures
Engine 2.0-litre, turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission 7-speed DCT
Power 224 PS @ 5,500 rpm
Torque 350 Nm @ 1,800 - 4,000 Nm
Weight 1,470 kg
0-100 km/h 7.2 seconds
100-0 km/h 42.7 metres

For what it's worth, the M260 mill is a sweet engine. Whether it's filling in gaps in traffic, overtaking, or just building up speed, it does so with much gusto. There's more than enough poke to it and it's happy to rev. A respectable century-sprint time is proof of that.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 02

The smooth-shifting 7-speed DCT complements it nicely too. For most of the time, it's well-calibrated and smooth, which means one won't really be using the paddle shifters much.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 03

Acceleration data

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 04

Deceleration data

However, there's a few caveats to its powertrain. For one, the engine seemingly runs out of puff beyond 5,000 rpm, which means you best stick to the middle of the rev range for best performance.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 05

The dual-clutch transmission, meanwhile, can be lurchy and slow to react in some situations - most notably when its not warmed up yet and in low-speed applications like traffic jams.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 06

The Merc' however claws back points in driving dynamics. It's got a playful nature to it, happily using its tail (but not super slippy, mind you) to help take sweeping corners. It's not one to understeer much, and it'll elicit a couple of smiles on the twisties.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 07

Which goes without saying then that the A250 offers good visibility, and an accurate, well-weighted steering. 

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 08

That said, braking performance could've been better. Granted the comfort-biased tyres on our test car could've played a part, but the 43 metres it needs to stop from 100 km/h is slightly below average.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Driving Performances Breakdown
Engine Acceleration 3.5 / 5
In-gear Acceleration 4 / 5
Throttle Response 3.5 / 5
Transmission Shift Logic 3 / 3
Smoothness 3 / 5
Sport/Manual Mode 3 / 3
Steering Accuracy 2 / 3
Response 2.5 / 3
Weight & Feel 2 / 3
Braking Distance 1 / 3
Feel 1.5 / 3
Handling Chassis Balance 2 / 3
Grip 2 / 3
Load Reaction 2 / 3
Total   35/50

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Ride Comfort - 34.5/50, Could be quieter

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 09

Another element that impressed us is the A250's ride quality. If you've been in its predecessor, you'll certainly find the suppleness of this new car to be a night and day difference.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 10

Imperfections and road ruts are nicely absorbed, and despite its fun nature in B-roads, the A250 AMG Line provides a ride those at the back won't complain about.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 11

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Cabin noise
0 km/h (AC off) 42 dB
0 km/h (AC on) 44 dB
60 km/h (AC on) 61 dB
90 km/h (AC on) 68 dB
110 km/h (AC on) 71 dB

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 12

Unfortunately, road noise and tyre roar makes itself very apparent. Again, this could be due to the tyres as the rest of the car is generally well-insulated.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Ride Comfort Breakdown
Sound Proofing 6.5 / 10
Suspension 7 / 10
Passenger Comfort 6.5 / 10
Seat Support 3.5 / 5
Ergonomics 3 / 5
Engine Refinement 8 / 10
Total points 34.5 / 50 pts

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Quality and Features – 38/50, Much to play with

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 13

Like most modern cars, one will find nothing much to complain about in terms of panel fitment and paint quality.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Panel Gaps (mm)
Location Driver Side Passenger Side Difference
Bonnet 3 3.5 0.5
Front Fender 4 3.5 0.5
Front to Rear Door 4 4 0
Rear Door to quarter panel 3.5 4 0.5
Tailgate 3 3.5 0.5

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 14

Its athletic look is complemented by 7 colour choices - this press car is in stately Polar White.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Paint Thickness (µm)
Location Driver Side Passenger Side
Front Bonnet 99
Front Fender 84 97
Front Door 112 110
Rear Door 104 100
Rear Quarter Panel 109 106
Tailgate 95
Roof 116
Average paint thickness: 103 µm ±8

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 15

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Exterior Material Use
Bonnet Soundproofing Material None
Struts Gas
Front Fenders Soundproofing Material Yes
Doors Front Windows Single-glazed
Rear Windows Single-glazed
Construction One-piece
Boot Opening Manual

 

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 16

In the cabin is where Mercedes-Benz does its best work, and the A250 lives up to that reputation. Commanding your attention is a one-piece, dual screen display (10.25-inches each), which is a joy to look at thanks to its clear, crisp, and sharp calibration.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Cabin Material Use
Seat Seat Cover Leather
Armrest Armrest Cover Leather
Dashboard Upper Section Soft Plastic
  Lower Section Hard Plastic
Front Doors Upper Section Soft Plastic
  Middle Section Soft Plastic
  Lower Section Hard Plastic

Giving off the sporty yet luxurious ambience is the mix of Artico leather and Dinamica suede. The leather-wrapped, AMG design steering wheel is just as nice to hold as it is to look.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 17

One won't be lacking in toys to play with as well, as the A250 comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support as well as MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) functions.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 18

In addition to 7 airbags, the A250 AMG Line also bundles along Active Brake Assist (essentially autonomous emergency braking), Active Parking Assist with a reverse camera, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Quality & Feature Breakdown
Exterior Paint Finish 4 / 4
Panel Gaps 3 / 4
Assembly Quality 2 / 2
Interior Build Quality 4 / 5
Materials Used 4 / 5
Features Safety 9 / 10
ADAS 2 / 5
Luxury 3 / 5
Convenience 3 / 5
Infotainment 4 / 5
Total   38 / 50 pts

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Interior space – 30.5/50, Compact cabin

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 19

The exterior is a hint and...yes, rear-seat passengers might groan a bit about the tightness.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 20

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 21

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 22

Practicality-wise, the A250 offers 8 cupholders, and adequately-sized door pockets and various spaces inside to store your gubbins.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 23

Although front passengers won't have much to complain, taller passengers sitting at the back might find the one tennis ball worth of head- and legroom to be a bit too compact.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 24

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 25

Boot space is 405 litres with the rear seats up, but should you need more the rear seats can be folded too.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Interior Space Breakdown
Front Row 7 / 10
Middle/Back Row 6 / 10
Third Row 0 / 5
Boot Space 3 / 5
Practicality 4 / 5
Storage Space 4 / 5
Visibility 3.5 / 5
Storage Flexibility 3 / 5
Total 30.5 / 50 pts

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Fuel consumption – 14/20, Good despite the power

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 26

Split rather equally between highway and town driving over a 105 km distance, the A250 AMG Line yielded a fuel efficiency figure of 8.7 l/100km - a rather respectable figure considering how punchy and full-bodied the powertrain felt.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 27

That said, a more restrained driver could probably wring out much better fuel efficiency figures.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Fuel Consumption Test Breakdown
Fuel Consumption 10 / 15
Eco Mode 2 / 2
Indicator Accuracy 2  / 3
Total points 14 / 20 pts

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Purchase and cost – 19.5/30, Pricier than main rival

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 28

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line is priced from RM 259,255 in Malaysia. For the money, there's lots of options in the market, even some from a segment above.

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 29

This price tag not only makes it dearer than BMW 218i Gran Coupe (RM 211,367), it's also more expensive than the recently-updated BMW 320i M Sport, which goes for RM 243,884. However, recall that both of these are locally-assembled (CKD), which helps in their pricing.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line estimated service costs
Package Cost (RM)
Four years service and maintenance package 5,838

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 30

Maintenance costs are par for the course for other Mercedes-Benz models. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) doesn't outline them in a schedule, but the A250 AMG Line comes with four-year service and maintenance package that starts from RM 5,838.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line - Purchase & Cost
Purchase Car Price 8 / 15
Warranty 4 / 5
Cost Maintenance 4  / 5
Fuel Cost 3.5 / 5
Total   19.5 / 30 pts

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line: Conclusion – 171.5/250 pts overall

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 31

Truth be told, the A250 is a bag of fun. It's a fresh product, and as we said in our review, it's a car that encapsulates the Mercedes-Benz essence very well.

Also read: Review: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - is it RM 48k better than the 218i GC

Ratings: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line sedan - Performs as good as it looks 32

However good it may be, its RM 259k price tag might make a few reconsider. But there's a silver lining, as locally-assembled (CKD) versions of the model are in the pipeline, albeit delayed by the Covid-19 situation. Upon its arrival, it should make the 218i GC furrow its brows.

Full Ratings list: https://www.wapcar.my/car-ranking

Also read: Malaysia to launch CKD 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, GLA, GLE - 5 new CKD models coming

Sanjay

Senior Writer

With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.

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