► Mercedes A250e plug-in hybrid A-Class
► Electric driving range of up to 50 miles
► Pricier and less capable than best rivals
The Mercedes-Benz A250e is moderately interesting. While not really a contender for our list of the best plug-in hybrids, it remains rare to see plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) tech in the premium family hatchback class, and this is still the smallest properly electrified model that Mercedes makes.
It’s also the closest thing you can get to all-electric A-Class. And thanks to an electric-only driving range officially rated between 46 and 50 miles, could effectively serve some customers as one while also offering the flexibility of easy fuelling at a petrol station for longer journeys.
Sounds like a tempting recipe, doesn’t it? But does PHEV power actually improve Merc’s premium hatchback, or is it more focused on keeping company car drivers happy with its lower emissions? With an asking price that now starts at £41,335, it had certainly better be good at something.
Should I buy a Mercedes-Benz A250e? The price and the driving range both limit this A-Class hybrid’s appeal to us, with the best rivals (see below) costing less while delivering more. But the interior is unlike anything else in this sector, and we can understand the appeal of that and premium image. If you fancy one, this is far from a bad car.
Want to know why you can trust us? Read details of how we test cars.
At a glance
Pros: Refined hybrid system with good real-world EV range, fancy interior, luxury image
Cons: Rivals go further per charge now, ride comfort is a bit lumpy
What’s new?
Engineers normally have to engage in a three-dimensional form of Tetris to squeeze hybrid tech into an existing package, and the A250e is no exception.
In fact, the challenge of installing a plug-in hybrid powertrain was tougher than usual with the A-Class owing to the car’s small dimensions. So how did they solve the problem? The lithium-ion battery was placed underneath the back seats where the fuel tank would ordinarily reside, which in turn was pushed into the axle integration space beneath it.
The area beneath the bonnet now resembles a tin of sardines, but the electronics and cooling systems were successfully arranged after the conventional 12v starter was ditched in favour of using the electric motor instead.
There’s a centre-exiting exhaust pipe under the floor by the passenger seat for when that petrol motor is running, and it’s quiet when it does so. There are five fairly self-explanatory drive settings, called EV, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Hold, with the latter keeping the battery charge at its current level, ready to be used later in the journey. Useful for when you’re approaching a congested city and want to cut the engine in stop-start traffic.
There’s 12.9kWh of useable drive-battery capacity, with an 80kW (108bhp) electric motor sandwiched between the eight-speed automatic transmission and the 161bhp 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This gives the car an official electric driving range of 46-50 miles, according to the latest WLTP ratings.
Total combined system output for the A250e is 215bhp and 332lb ft. In raw performance terms, this means 0-62mph in 7.4sec and 140mph top speed. Not bad, considering the 150kg in additional hybrid hardware. Official CO2 emissions are 55-62g/km, depending on spec, with 118-105mpg possible over the testing cycle.
Out in the real world, the fuel economy you get will depend on how much you’re able to maximise the use of the electric motor and drive battery. Got a short commute and the means to charge at home or work? Then you could go weeks – or even months – before you empty the petrol tank.
The battery is small enough that a three-pin plug can charge it overnight, though even using a wallbox the AC charging speed is limited to the minimum 3.7kW and still takes 4.5 hours. DC charging is similarly capped at a pathetic 22kW, but that still enough to get a 10-80 per cent top up in 28 minutes.
How does it drive?
The Mercedes A250e is a largely relaxing driving experience. Like most cars of its type the A250e starts up silently and moves away just as silently. There are handy separate charge and fuel graphics on the instrument panel to let you know exactly how much range the car’s capable of and, in Electric mode, it feels like quite a lot.
In fact, unlike some hybrid cars with electric modes, you can press rather firmly on the throttle and still only use electric power. Acceleration isn’t exactly lighting quick but it’s still capable of leaving others standing at the lights because of all that instant torque.
Leave it in electric mode and you can also use the steering wheel paddles to change the amount of regenerative braking. D+ allows the car to coast freely, while D- and D- – add increasingly harsh regen. D-Auto is clever as it adjusts the amount of regen depending on factors like changes in speed limits, cars in front, inclines/declines and intersections/roundabouts using data from the navigation.
Frustratingly, that clever feature doesn’t extend to Comfort mode; instead the paddles are used for their usual purposes of shifting gears. Sport mode leaves the engine permanently on, with the battery/motor pack assisting – this mode is where you’ll feel the sprightliest performance.
As for handling, you can feel the extra weight. The steering, for example, is heavier and a touch more inert than that of an A200 petrol. That makes for a slightly lardier-feeling turn-in in tight corners at speed. Larger wheels coupled with the additional weight doesn’t do wonders for the ride comfort, either.
What about the interior?
Aside from the multipurpose paddles and specific PHEV displays, there’s no difference between this and any other A-Class on the inside. That means a very modern and rather fancy-looking dashboard, dominated by dual screens, turbine-like air-vents and – gladly – still a decent number of physical controls, including for the climate system.
The front is roomy enough, but the rear can be tight for two adults – let alone the three it’s theoretically capable of handling; the middle seat is more of a perch than a person-friendly transport system. Boot space for the A250 e is 310 litres, 45-litres less than a regular A-Class hatchback due to the aforementioned 3D Tetris.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
The A250e is available in three trim variants: AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus.
Each gets sporty visuals with 18-inch alloy wheels on even the entry-level version; equipment highlights for this also includes four-way lumbar support, 64-colour ambient lighting, LED lighting, keyless go, sports seats, a wireless phone charger, MBUX premium satnav system and much more.
The Premium version goes to 19-inch alloys (you’ll feel the difference, and not in a good way), gets tinted rear windows and a winter package that includes heated front seats, steering wheel and washer jets. Premium Plus adds a few extra toys, including a 360-degree parking camera system.
All A-Class hybrids are notably leather-free on the inside as standard, and come with what Mercedes terms ‘comfort’ suspension as standard.
Despite the space constraints, there is now an ever-increasing number of plug-in hybrid hatchback competition. This ranges from the virtue-signalling (and actually rather good) Toyota Prius through to a bunch of compact SUV with the appropriate technology.
Sticking with the proper family hatch formula, the VW Golf eHybrid is one of top hybrids on sale and our current pick; in our testing this offered over 70 miles of electric driving range – a significant upgrade over this Mercedes. If Volkswagen isn’t premium enough for you, there’s a tech-equivalent Audi A3 TFSI e.
Mercedes A250e: verdict
The usable electric range of the A250e, while now falling behind rivals, is still enough that many people really could commute entirely on electric power alone and charge up while the car is at home overnight or at the office during the day. The silent running and smooth progress also help to furnish Merc’s point about the A-Class being a small luxury car.
It isn’t the cheapest route to plug-in hybrid motoring, and the PHEV powertrain takes some of the A-Class’ light-on-its-feet dynamism away, but it also feels far more than just a token gesture when it comes to reducing emissions. If you like the A-Class and you appreciate the benefits of zero-emissions running, it’s worth a closer look.