Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon for sale: everything you need to know

The Mercedes-Benz range can be a little confusing sometimes, and none more so than the fact that both the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon and the Mercedes-Benz CLA appear to do much the same job. The A-Class Saloon starts at a disadvantage too, since it’s nowhere near as sleek-looking as the CLA, and gets a smaller boot too.

The Saloon does offer more rear-seat space, and it has a shorter footprint and better visibility too, so should be a little easier to park. It’s also more affordable, and in most other respects just as talented as the A-Class hatchback, so it’s certainly not a car without merit.

CLA aside, other alternatives in this small, premium saloon class include the Audi A3 Saloon and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. If a premium badge isn’t a prerequisite, also check out the Honda Civic saloon, Hyundai i30 Fastback, and Mazda 3 saloon.

Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon?

The A-Class Saloon is a great option if you’re either looking to downsize from one of Mercedes’ larger saloons, or want a dash of class and prestige without buying a larger car. Based on the A-Class - a talented hatchback in its own right - the saloon’s more traditional shape may also appeal to some buyers.

It’s no exaggeration to say that other than the extra bit at the back, there’s not a lot different here from a regular A-Class, though one you might notice is that it’s tuned to be slightly softer-riding. In theory, saloons also offer slightly better refinement than hatchbacks, with the boot closed off from the cabin, but you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference here.

The A-Class cabin still looks smart, though is at its best in higher trim levels whose display screens are larger and leave less blank plastic to the sides. Equipment levels can be a bit mean though - you won’t find CarPlay or Android Auto on the basic Sport trim, nor a reversing camera. Bear this in mind when shopping for a car.

The saloon is slightly less practical than the hatchback but provided you don’t need the wide opening a hatch allows, the 405-litre boot (345 litres in plug-in models) is still decent, and the rear seat space will only be an issue for taller adults.

If you’re happy to make more practicality sacrifices though, the Mercedes-Benz CLA may tempt you away from the A-Class saloon. It’s got a sleeker shape and actually has a larger boot, thanks to being a longer car, though you’ll pay a little more like-for-like. Other premium options include the Audi A3 Saloon and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the latter a little awkward to look at but sharp to drive. Non-premium but still high-quality alternatives include the Honda Civic saloon, Mazda 3 saloon, and Hyundai i30 Fastback.

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What’s the best used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon model to buy?

The diesels are probably the pick of the standard range here, and the A 200d being the smartest pick of the pair with a little extra power but no economy penalty (in fact, slightly better economy on paper). If you tend to drive mainly around town though, you might not get the best from a diesel, in which case one of the petrol models should do the trick.

Lower trim levels are decently equipped but the A-Class’s interior design means that anything less than the 10.25-inch screens for both infotainment and the driver display looks a bit daft - with acres of black plastic either side - and AMG Line Premium Edition trim is the lowest spec to get both larger screens. You may find a previous owner has upgraded one of the lower trim levels, though.

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon fuel economy and performance

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 180d: The 2-litre turbocharged diesel in the A 180d produces 116PS, with a standard 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. You’ll get to 62mph in 9.7 seconds, with claimed economy of 56.5mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 200d: A power bump to 150PS sees the 0-62mph time fall to 8.2 seconds. The 200d is actually a little more frugal than the 180d though, at up to 58.9mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 180: The 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol makes 136PS and uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 0-62mph takes 8.9 seconds and combined economy is up to 47.9mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 200: With the same 1.3 litre the A 200 develops 163PS, again with a 7-speed dual-clutch auto. 0-62mph drops to 8.1 seconds, and economy is identical to the A180.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 250: The A 250 gets a larger 2-litre turbo petrol but the same 7-speed gearbox. Power output climbs to 224PS, 0-62mph falls to 6.3 seconds, and economy drops to 41.5mpg combined.
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon A 250 e: The plug-in hybrid model uses a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine and electric motor for a combined 218PS, through an 8-speed dual-clutch auto. 0-62mph comes up in 6.7 seconds, and with up to 44 miles of EV range, Mercedes quotes up to 282.5mpg, though it also offers 44.8mpg in purely hybrid mode.
• Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic Saloon: The A 35’s 2-litre turbo engine sends 306PS to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, for 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds. Economy is quoted as up to 34mpg.

What used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon trim levels are available?

While not quite as broad as that of the A-Class hatchback range (missing out on the range-topping AMG A45), there’s still a bewildering number of trim lines to choose from, with most only adding a handful of extra features. The models below are a snapshot of the range in around 2021-2022 so there may be other models prior to and following these, with earlier models typically being slightly less well equipped. This is far from a comprehensive list of equipment, too.

• The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control, fabric and Artico artificial leather seat trim, and a pair of 7-inch displays for the driver and infotainment system.
• The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Sport Executive Edition gets 18-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, privacy glass, Artico trim, a 10.25-inch touchscreen media display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and electric folding mirrors.
• The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon AMG Line Executive Edition adds 18-inch AMG alloy wheels, Dinamica and Artico trim, and an AMG sports steering wheel and pedals.
• The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon AMG Line Premium Edition upgrades to keyless go, a 10.25-inch driver display, and 64-colour ambient lighting.
• The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon AMG Line Premium Plus Edition adds multibeam LED headlights and a panoramic glass sunroof.
• The Mercedes-AMG A 35 Saloon Executive Edition has 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG body styling, an AMG Night Package with black exterior trim, a valved exhaust system, privacy glass, an AMG Performance steering wheel, and heated sports front seats. It gets the combination of the 7-inch driver display and 10.25-inch infotainment display.
• The Mercedes-AMG A 35 Saloon Premium Edition gets a different 19-inch wheel design, keyless go, and adds the larger 10.25-inch driver display back.
• The Mercedes-AMG A 35 Saloon Premium Plus Edition includes adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels, an additional aerodynamic pack, a panoramic glass roof, and electrically adjustable memory seats.

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon dimensions and boot size

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4549mm
• Width: 1796mm (without mirrors), 1992mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1446mm

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon’s boot space is:

• 405 litres
• 345 litres (plug-in hybrid models)

Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon road tax

For most of the range you’ll be paying either £180 per year for VED or ‘road tax’ on the A-Class Saloon, or £170 for the plug-in hybrid A 250e, which is considered an alternative-fuel vehicle. AMG A35 models cross the £40,000 threshold for a tax surcharge, so those will instead cost you £570 per year.

How much is it to insure a Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon?

The A 180d will be cheapest to insure, starting at insurance group 18 and topping out in group 20 in higher trim levels. The petrol A 180 is next, in groups 20-21, and costs rise from there with the plug-in A 250 topping out at group 32. The hot A35 can be found in groups 36-37 depending on specification. For comparison, an Audi A3 Saloon starts in group 18, but the sporty S3 Saloon starts in group 31, so may be cheaper to insure than the AMG.

Read our full Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon review