• Gorgeous exterior dripping with road presence
• An interior that makes rivals look old and dowdy
• A punchy powertrain combo to match the sports sedan credentials

Some years ago, if one wanted to enter the wonderful world of German marques, the default entry points would be the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series. Not anymore. Today, your entry point to Teutonic ownership starts with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. 

And now with local assembly (CKD), the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan is priced more attractively than ever (refer to the table below). Regardless of variant, the CKD A-Class represents good value compared to the fully-imported (CBU) versions.

Looking at both variants, even the non-flagship A200 Progressive Line boasts a comprehensive kit list that outshines its direct competitor, the BMW 218i Gran Coupe. However, the sweet spot of the A-Class sedan range is the A250 AMG Line (for brevity, let's just call it the A250). 

So, yes, the A-Class sedan is the entry point model of the Mercedes-Benz range in Malaysia, but does this mean that the A250 is a watered-down proposition for those looking to dive in to the world of Mercedes-Benz ownership? Not quite. We're here to tell you why the A250 is the perfect entry point to premium luxury motoring.

Stepping out in style, wherever you go

Let's be honest for a moment here. One of the main reasons one aspires to own a premium luxury car like the A250 is to look good and be the center of attention. And attention is what you will get with the A250, no matter where you go.

A product of Mercedes-Benz's latest design language, the A250 combines style, luxury and sportiness into one seamless package. From the subtly aggresive AMG enhancements front to back, to the racy 18-inch AMG diamond-cut wheels, finished off with that achingly beautiful front grille, the A250 has a road presence unlike its BMW 218i Gran Coupe counterpart.

Drink in the looks. Stare, ogle and admire it. There is no bad angle on the A250. That's because it follows the time-honoured sports sedan proportions: long nose, short rump. And it works a treat. This is definitely one of those cars where you will turn back and have a second look after getting out. If that's not a mark of an attractive car, we don't know what is. 

A winning interior 

As much as the styling of the A250 draws plaudits, the interior is where Mercedes-Benz really shows its strongest hand. Perhaps its the water in Stuttgart that enhances the clarity of mind, but Mercedes-Benz designers right now cannot stop churning out evocative interiors. The A250 is a perfect examplar of how to execute classy, sublime interiors, regardless of the product hierarchy.

As you make your way in, you're greeted by the now-staple one-piece, dual 10.25-inch Widescreen Cockpit, which is infinitely customisable to your whim and fancy. More importantly, driving information and entertainment is presented in a crisp, high definition and high tech manner. 

Then, your eyes are drawn to the brilliantly executed layout of the cabin, which includes intricate details like the turbine-design A/C vents, sporty AMG Line steering wheel, and swathes of Dinamica microfibre. Definitely nothing cut-price here, which can't be said about the A250's Bavarian rival. 

Befitting its status as a premium compact sedan, the A250 comes packing the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) voice-activated infotainment system, replete with Android Auto/Apple Carplay connectivity and a 225W, 10-speaker sound system. Features you expect to be standard at this level, yet the A250 is the only car in its class to offer these as standard. Class leader? You bet.

Things get even better come nightfall, as the interior is bathed in the soft glow of Mercedes' signature ambient lighting. And, with 64 different ambient lighting colours to choose from (and a myriad of combinations), you can tailor the mood lighting to your heart's content. When it comes to luxury, it's these little details that really elevate the experience. 

Punchy performance and unrivalled safety

When it comes to a premium compact sedan, it should have more than enough reserves of performance to dust off 'lesser' traffic on the road, while being a cossetting place for its occupants. Yes, the A250 delivers on both fronts, possessing grunty performance and impeccable road manners. 

Mercedes-Benz was one of the pioneers in downsized, forced-induction engines. The marque's pedigree continues to shine with the A250's powertrain combo. The 2.0-litre, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine serves up a healthy 224 PS and 350 Nm, dispatching the 0 - 100 km/h sprint in just 7.2 seconds (as tested), aided by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that is not only swift but smooth. 

On the move, the A250 is refined, composed and comfortable all at once, in the finest Mercedes-Benz traditions. It's equally at home munching miles on long drives as it is when show an enticing stretch of road. What's for sure, it's definitely not an exaggeration to say that the A250 is a proper sports sedan. 

A sports sedan that is packed with the latest and greatest safety and ADAS technology. For your RM 239,858, you will not feel shortchanged parting with your hard-earned cash because the A250 comes standard with: 

• 7 airbags
• ABS and EBD
• Stability Control
• Forward Collision Monitoring 
• Brake Assist
• Active Brake Assist (AEB)
• Active Parking Assist
• Blind Spot Assist
• Exit Warning Assist

Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line is a result of the marque combining all the attributes that buyers want in a compact premium sedan into one harmonious package. It looks glamourous inside and out, packs proper sports sedan credentials, and it makes you feel special.

Plus, because of local assembly (CKD), the price advantage that the BMW 218i Gran Coupe used to enjoy is now significantly reduced. In almost every aspect, the A250 dominates its rival from Munich, which wasn't always a given not too long ago. As an entry point to premium luxury, the Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line hits all the right notes.

This post is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia