Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC 2019 Review

The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC is the new entry point to the AMG family. It’s a cheaper, but still well-equipped hot hatch that is aimed to fit between the A 250 Sport 4MATIC and the blisteringly quick A 45 S 4MATIC+ – both in terms of price and performance.

For any perspective prestige performance buyer, that’s a good thing. A really good thing. Look at the spec, the kit list or the acceleration times and the A 35 4MATIC is impressive.

It combines the athleticism and handling buyers expect of the AMG brand with the build quality and polish of the three-pointed star. Premium meets performance, if you will.

Hatch and sedan models are both on sale now and available in limited number until more stocks arrive in January; with pricing that will certainly entice buyers from elsewhere in the premium segment, and even from mainstream models we’re starting to deem ‘too expensive’.

The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC hatch we’re focussing on here is priced from $67,200 plus on-road costs, with the sedan version priced from $69,800 (plus ORCs).

It’s powered by a twin-scroll (or split pulse) turbocharged 2.0-litre ‘heart’ that promises 225kW and 400Nm and a 4.7sec 0-100km/h time with the help of AMG’s standard RACESTART function.

Drive is to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, an AMG-specific standard exhaust providing an emotive soundtrack that complements the package beautifully.

As is the case under the skin, the external appearance of the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC is likewise something of an ‘in-between’ effort.

It’s a carefully constructed and well executed plan that gives perspective buyers everything they want, while still leaving enough in reserve for the soon-to-arrive and range-topping A 45 S 4MATIC+. Clever.

AMG high-performance brakes, featuring four-piston callipers on the front axle and 350/320mm (front/rear) rotors, are standard fare; so too three-mode adaptive dampers, additional body bracing, beefier steering knuckles and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin rubber.

The spoiler kit is (thankfully) optional at $2490; the twin-louver grille, extended skirts and aprons and 90mm exhaust outlets rounding out the remainder of the model’s ‘sporting appeal’.

It’s a similar story inside the cab. Here the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC is suave, sophisticated, and of course, sporty. It’s a wonder collaboration that works really well to elevate the A-Class to something that’s aspirational, even desirable. In short, it’s bloody lovely.

Merc Australia says the interior of the five-seat A 35 4MATIC has an ‘AMG look and feel’, and for once I wholeheartedly agree.

From the flat-bottomed, perforated leather clad AMG Performance wheel to the galvanised shift paddles, the alloy pedals and the sweetly bolstered Lugano leather seats it’s a uniform and upmarket residence that’s as comfortable as it is attractive.

OK, the ride is expectedly sporty and the road noise borderline irritating. But this is a sports hatch, and if you want it to grip and accelerate the way the A 35 4MATIC does, then compromises must be made.

Good looks are one thing. Brawn is another. But mating both to a sensible and easy-to-operate technical package often leaves car makers reeling. Fortunately, this isn’t the case from the hot seat of the A 35 4MATIC.

Like the A 250 – which itself draws much of its technology from higher up the Mercedes-Benz family tree – the A 35 4MATIC employs Benz’s an AMG-specific MBUX multimedia interface comprising a pair of 10.25-inch information screens.

There are also front seats with electric adjustment and seat heating, plus an ENERGIZING Comfort Control feature that tailors the cabin ambience to match the occupants’ mood, dual-zone climate control and hands-free entry and ignition.

The tailgate is also operable without reaching for the key fob, and reveals 370 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place. Fold them down and there’s an impressive 1210 litres of area to play with.

Oh, and in case that still doesn’t convince you the sedan version costs just $2600 more, while the limited-edition A 35 4MATIC Edition 1 hatch with its tech gold colour highlights over denim blue paint is just $6990 more.

The latter also adds Black/Magma Grey ARTICO/DINAMICA upholstery with polished aluminium trim in an AMG design, AMG Performance seats, an AMG aerodynamics package and AMG multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Metallic paint is an $1190 option on all models.

Mercedes-Benz offers a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty on the A 35 4MATIC with service intervals set at 12 months or 25,000km (whichever comes first).

I don’t know how the new A 45 will top the A 35 in open-road touring. It might be quicker on the track and in a straight line, but when it comes to realistically useable and liveable everyday performance, I reckon the ‘35’ will be pretty hard to beat.

The powertrain is wonderfully fluid with no lag to speak of, and meets crisp, well-timed gear changes that in all but the most intense situations require no driver input.

The linearity of the undersquare, longitudinally mounted M260 engine responds instantly to throttle inputs and charges hard to its 7200rpm redline. Acceleration is brisk, bordering on bonkers.

It’s wonderfully controllable, however, with no nasty torque steer, and a very even distribution of drive to the rear wheels when required. The A 35 4MATIC can send 100 per cent of its drive to the front wheels or as much as half of its drive to the rear. You’ll barely notice it happening.

The traction on offer is astounding, the electronic nannies working judiciously to distribute torque across the axles, and limit unwanted wheel slip.

In short, the A 35 4MATIC puts its power to the ground very effectively and when rasping out of hairpin turns and switchbacks it’s a blistering combination that’s guaranteed to have you hunting for the next turn with even more commitment.

Braking performance is likewise steadfast with fade-free and enthusiastic stopping power coming again and again without fail.

We pushed the A 35 4MATIC across a 400km loop of Tasmanian Targa stages with no change in pedal stroke, the only sign of our enthusiastic jaunt a film of brake dust over the front alloys.

Downsides? Well, in Sport+ mode the A 35 4MATIC is too firm for the road, and in any mode the tyre noise is tiring (no pun intended). The drum from the tyres gets old fast, and on long-distance runs is just plain annoying.

It also distracts from what’s an otherwise enjoyable space – the exhaust volume is just right, and the engine only vocal under heavy acceleration. As for wind noise – there is none. It’s all from the road, and I think that’s a shame.

Mercedes-Benz’s smaller and more affordable A-Class and CLA-Class range is turning plenty of heads right now. The line-up is extensive, and offers plenty of difference from start to end [Ed: It’ll get even better when the ‘45’ arrives, too].

Excusing the road noise and an expectedly tight back seat, the A 35 4MATIC is an absolute joy. It might be dearer than its rivals (see below), but in my opinion is a sportier drive and one that better blends the wants of a prestige buyer into the mix.

It might be the entry-point into the AMG family, but this is far from being an entry-spec car. This is a hot hatch worthy of the AMG moniker and something of a bargain, relatively speaking.

If you want a Mercedes-Benz, an AMG and a hot hatch, the A 35 4MATIC is the best deal going.

How much does the 2019 Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC hatch cost?
Price: $67,200 (plus on-road costs)
Available: January 2020
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 225kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined); 9.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 172g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2018)