Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250 Sport Review: Silver bullet

What we like:

Phenomenal grip in the bends coupled with good steering feel and accuracy. Acceleration off the line is also faster than the GTI.

What we dislike:

The inability to turn to a softer ride setting when the going gets rough.

The hot hatch draws power from a robust 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder unit that pumps out a healthy 211bhp at 5,500rpm while torque is 350Nm and develops from 1,200rpm – 4,000rpm.

Off the line, the A250 is brisk with the century sprint despatched in just 6.6 seconds but the violence of the acceleration makes it feel much faster.

Driven with a sane mind, the 7-speed dual clutch swops cogs smoothly without much notice from the driver. But grab it by the scruff of its neck and the transmission responds with immediate effect from every paddle input.

Steering input is fast, accurate and by golly is it sharp. While it still isn’t quite as fast as the GTI’s progressive rack, it still outperforms much of the competition in this category.

Grip level in the corners is phenomenal as you toss the car in with speed. And this is done without the GTI’s clever electronic diffs. This is in no doubt attributed to the AMG tuned suspension.

Ride comfort is bearable in most instances but the firm dampers start to show through on inner city roads.

Short of the highly anticipated AMG A45, the A250 Sport is incredibly capable on this side of the AMG fence. While it lacks the rorty growl of the GTI, its looks won’t be cowered into a corner by the GTI’s scowl.

Our only complaint is that it lacks the option for a softer suspension setting once the going gets too rough. Something the GTI has been offering since the MK6.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline