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, the A45 was originally offered in regular 387hp A 45 format or the sportier 421hp A 45 S, both options using the same eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, as of late 2022, the more expensive A 45 S is the only version currently available in the UK.
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 £63K for the A 45 S, 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 2024, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. It has great reviews from the media and a strong safety score, but running costs are extremely high.
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Mercedes-AMG A 35 (2018 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
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 hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £63,285 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: A 45 S (2023 facelift)
Score: 9 / 10
“We were big fans of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S before it was updated – and we still are. While some subtle styling changes and improvements to the in-car tech have been introduced, the same outlandish personality remains. That AMG has managed to deliver a car with stunning speed, yet so much involvement, and combined this with a sensible five-door body is astonishing. The A 45 S remains one of the best Mercedes models you can buy.” (Alex Ingram)
Read review
Model reviewed: S (pre-facelift)
Score: 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: S
Score: 10 / 10
“CAR has always liked this version of the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, and with so little changed for the facelifted model there’s no reason to start rowing back from that. Rather he things we took issue with originally – the erratic voice control and overly complex infotainment system – have now matured, leaving terrifyingly little to fault.” (CJ Hubbard)
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 10
Score: 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: S
Score: 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.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 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.”
Read review
What Car?
Score: 10 / 10
“Make no mistake, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 hot hatch is no one-trick pony. Not only is it incredibly rapid in a straight line, it’s also agile and entertaining through the corners. It’s very pricey, though.”
Author: Dan Jones
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 92%
Safety assist: 75%
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
As of January 2024, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-AMG A 45 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the A 45, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-AMG A 45 has received
2024
- What Car? Awards – Best hot hatch
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 M2 | Honda Civic Type R | Renault Megane RS | Volkswagen Golf R
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Mercedes-AMG A 35 (2018 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the overall Mercedes-Benz A-Class range at The Car Expert
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