Mercedes AMG A35 review

It’s all want, want, want with modern hot hatch buyers. We want our cars to be a massive hoot to drive, but not cost too much while doing so, and we want the interior to be roomy enough to deal with everyday life, and be classy enough to make us feel good about sitting in it.

In short, what do we want? Everything! When do we want it? Nowwww!

Thankfully, the Mercedes-AMG A35 fits the bill, mostly; there are definitely some areas where you can find an alternative that is slightly better than the Mercedes. It’s a bit like a stylish but slightly defensive boxer that gets the job done but can’t quite find that headline-grabbing knockout punch to be named the undisputed champion.

However, it still puts up a very strong fight against other similarly priced performance models such as the Audi S3, BMW 128ti and Honda Civic Type R.

Visually it definitely holds its own, and you don’t have to get too close-up to be able to see that the A35 is different from a regular A-Class. You get bigger wheels and brakes, beefed-up bumpers and splitters as standard. The standard version is noticeable but still relatively unassuming unless you go for the optional AMG exterior pack, which dials it up with things such as a bigger spoiler that you definitely won’t miss.

There’s nothing unassuming about the interior, though. As to what you will notice first, it’s a toss-up between the beefy sport seats that offer more support than the standard A-Class and the stylish flat-bottomed steering wheel and metal gear-shift paddles.

Also vying for your attention is the super-slick dual-screen infotainment system that looks like it belongs on the set of a sci-fi blockbuster and the boat-loads of soft plastic and posh brushed-metal trims.

Unlike the optional exterior spoilers, almost all of the flashy kit inside the A35 comes as standard. The sportiest seats will cost you extra, but you might want to weigh up the excellent levels of comfort and supportiveness versus the fact that you lose a bit of space and visibility for the rear passengers.

The only real quibble on the A35’s interior is its boot – it’s smaller than the equivalent on the BMW 1-Series but it will still take a weekly shop so it is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for many.

The Mercedes-AMG A35 shines in terms of looks and pace but you can get more entertainment out of similarly-priced alternatives.

The engine is the most important part of a hot hatch for many people, and the A35 gets a 2.0-litre petrol that’s boosted by a turbo to make 306hp. A standard-fit four-wheel-drive system will help you make the most of that power, ensuring there are no worries about grip on slippery roads. The other neat piece of kit that is included as standard is the launch control system, which means you can leap from 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds, even in rainy conditions.

A hot hatch would be nothing if it was all straight-line speed, though, and thankfully the A35 is great at carving through twisty roads, too. It errs a bit more on the sensible, surefooted and predictable side rather than being playful and fun but that also makes it extremely easy to drive fast.

That clever four-wheel-drive system can switch the power between the front and the rear wheels, which provides you with a stable line through corners. If you want something that won’t be as fast on a wet road but will be a lot more entertaining it’s worth looking at the Honda Civic Type R.

Just like in the much, much more expensive AMG GT 4 Door, you can adjust the stiffness of the suspension using a dial on the wheel. Pop it into the most comfortable setting and the A35 copes well with long motorway journeys. The only niggle is you get a lot more noise from the tyres than you do in a regular A-Class with smaller wheels, but the rest is pretty relaxing. You can also opt for a host of driver aids that’ll let it brake, accelerate and keep the A35 in its lane for you – perfect for taking the stress out of rush-hour traffic.

However, all this comes at a price and if you spec the A35 with all the bells and whistles it looks expensive against comparable alternatives. To offset that, why not have a look at our Mercedes-AMG A35 deals to see how much you could save on your preferred spec.