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Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2019 review

Hatchback Petrol

Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2019 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The fourth-generation Mercedes A-Class (W177) reached the UK in May 2018, and 2019 cars capture it at its best — before the range settled into late-model routine. It was the car that debuted MBUX, Mercedes' twin-screen 'Hey Mercedes' voice system, bringing S-Class tech to a hatchback that started at £25,800 for the A 180 d SE. For used buyers it remains the entry point to a proper Mercedes badge, and in 2026 you can find one for roughly the price of a new Dacia.

The UK range was straightforward at launch: SE, Sport and AMG Line trims across the A 180 d (1.5 diesel, 116PS, from £25,800), A 200 (1.33 turbo petrol, 163PS, from £27,500) and A 250 (2.0 turbo, 224PS, from £30,240), with the 306PS AMG A 35 arriving in spring 2019 from £35,580. All launch cars were 7-speed 7G-DCT automatics; cheaper manuals arrived later. The A 200 is the sweet spot for most drivers — 8.0 seconds to 62mph and 51.4mpg combined — while the A 180 d's 68.9mpg suits high-mileage commuters.

Inside it is still a tech showcase: the twin displays, 64-colour ambient lighting (with the Premium pack) and sharp cabin design have aged far better than the interiors of rival Golfs of the same era. It earned five stars from Euro NCAP in 2018 with exceptional 96% adult and 92% vulnerable-road-user scores, and every 2019 engine is Euro 6, so the car is ULEZ and clean-air-zone compliant.

As a used buy, 2019 cars now sit at roughly £8,000–£15,000, with low-mileage AMG Line cars commanding the top of the band. Buy on history: the M282 1.33 petrol can develop timing-chain tensioner rattle and oil consumption on high-mileage cars with patchy servicing, and early 7G-DCT cars sometimes hesitate or clunk at parking speeds — a gearbox software update usually fixes it. One honest caveat: the 2018 five-star Euro NCAP rating expired in January 2025, so treat its safety as strong-but-untested-against-latest-standards. A full Mercedes service history is worth paying extra for.

UK price from: £27,500

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Specifications

Engine	1.33L turbo petrol (M282), 163PS (A 200)
Other engines	A 180 d 1.5 diesel 116PS; A 250 2.0 petrol 224PS; AMG A 35 306PS
0-62mph	8.0s (A 200); 10.5s (A 180 d); 4.7s (AMG A 35)
Fuel economy (WLTP)	51.4mpg combined (A 200); 68.9mpg (A 180 d)
CO2	123g/km (A 200); 108g/km (A 180 d)
Boot space	370 litres seats up (1,210L seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,300-1,445kg depending on engine and trim
Dimensions	4,419 x 1,796 x 1,440mm (L/W/H); 2,729mm wheelbase
Gearbox	7-speed 7G-DCT automatic (launch cars)
Emissions	Euro 6 — ULEZ and clean-air-zone compliant
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2018); rating expired January 2025
Insurance groups	Groups 18-24 for mainstream versions

Features

MBUX infotainment with 'Hey Mercedes' voice control and twin digital displays
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Active Brake Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection as standard
Lane-departure warning and cruise control with speed limiter
Artico man-made leather upholstery and sports seats on AMG Line
DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes with individual configurability
Rear parking sensors with reversing camera (available across trims)

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£42.99	Pattern part; OEM specification
Oil filter	£12.99	Pattern part
Engine air filter	£16.99	Pattern part
Spark plugs (set of 4)	£34.99	Pattern part; petrol models
Wiper blades (pair)	£24.99	Pattern part; flat aero blades
12V AGM battery	£129.99	Pattern part; stop-start type

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Three-pointed-star ownership for £8k — nothing this premium costs less
MBUX cabin still feels modern years on; aged better than most rivals' interiors
A 200 hits the sweet spot: 8.0s to 62mph with 51.4mpg combined
Five-star Euro NCAP 2018 with outstanding 96% adult-occupant protection
Every 2019 engine is Euro 6 — fully ULEZ and clean-air-zone compliant

Cons

Euro NCAP rating expired in January 2025 — strong but no longer formally valid
7G-DCT can hesitate or clunk at low speed on early cars; check for software updates
M282 1.33 petrol can develop timing-chain rattle and oil use with patchy history
Rear legroom and the 370-litre boot are cramped next to a Golf or Focus

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Mercedes A-Class 1.33 petrol have a timing belt or chain?

The M282 1.33-litre turbo petrol uses a timing chain, not a belt. However, this engine can develop timing-chain tensioner rattle on high-mileage cars with poor oil history, so listen for a cold-start rattle and insist on full oil-service records. There is no fixed replacement interval; condition depends on maintenance.

Is the 2019 Mercedes A-Class ULEZ compliant in London?

Yes. Every 2019 A-Class engine is Euro 6, so petrols and diesels alike are fully compliant with London's ULEZ and all UK clean-air zones. The A 200 d and A 220 d diesels are additionally RDE2-compliant, which exempted them from the diesel company-car tax surcharge when new.

Is the five-star Euro NCAP rating on a 2019 A-Class still valid?

No — the W177's five-star rating was awarded in 2018 and formally expired in January 2025. That does not mean the car became unsafe; its 96% adult-occupant and 92% vulnerable-road-user scores were excellent for their time. Just treat it as a strong-for-its-era car rather than a current top rating.

What should I check on a used 2019 A-Class?

Verify the 7G-DCT gearbox shifts smoothly at crawling speed (early cars hesitated before a software update), check the MBUX screens boot without glitches, look for timing-chain rattle on the 1.33 petrol from cold, and confirm a full Mercedes or specialist service history. Avoid diesel examples with patchy history that have only done short town trips.

How much is road tax on a 2019 Mercedes A-Class?

Post-April-2017 cars pay the standard annual rate after the first year — around £200 a year at current rates. None of the mainstream 2019 A-Class variants cost over £40,000 new, so they escaped the expensive-car supplement; only a heavily optioned AMG A 35 near £40k could brush against it.