Mercedes-Benz A250 Sedan priced from $53,000

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has introduced the latest addition to its A-Class Sedan line-up, the mid-range A250 Sedan, priced from $53,000 plus on-road costs and available in both front and all-wheel-drive (4Matic).

Mechanically, the A250 Sedans are exactly the same as their hatchback counterparts, meaning power still comes courtesy of a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which puts its 165kW and 350Nm to the road via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The standard equipment list reads almost identical to the hatchback as well, including the MBUX multimedia system with navigation and voice control functions, two 10.25-inch digital display screens, Thermatic climate control, keyless entry, DAB+ digital radio, a 225-watt, nine-speaker sound system, sports steering wheel, reversing camera, smartphone integration with wireless charging, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

Mercedes me Connect also comes as standard, allowing owners to lock or unlock the doors and start the engine remotely via their smartphone, as well as access key vehicle information or configure servicing requirements.

While the new A250 Sedans share the same body, powerplant and gearbox, there are in fact more differences than just how they put their power to the ground, with the 4Matic ($59,200 plus on-roads) scoring some extra goodies over its front-wheel-drive sibling.

Visually, the 4Matic can be distinguished by AMG body styling both front, rear and side-on, including a ‘diamond’ radiator grille, tinted privacy glass and a slightly lower ride height.

Under the skin, a ‘Sports Direct’ steering system has been added to improve handling while perforated rotors up front should provide a marginal increase in braking performance.

Inside, the 4Matic adds Keyless-Go, DINAMICA microfibre comfort sports seats, brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, 64-colour ambient lighting, red contrast stitching, flat-bottom Nappa leather steering wheel and a panoramic glass sunroof all as standard, somewhat justifying the 4Matic’s $6200 price premium – on top of the all-wheel-drive system.

As with every A-Class Sedan, the A250 boasts an extra 50 litres of boot space (420 litres) over the hatchback as well as sporting a market leading drag co-efficient of 0.22.

Mercedes says both versions of the A250 Sedan are on sale now with deliveries set to start at the end of the month.

So far this year ending January, Mercedes has shifted 357 A-Classes, giving the brand a 40.9 per cent stranglehold on the $40,000+ small car segment – well ahead of the BMW 1 Series (208) and Audi A3 (188), but still down on January 2019 (415).

2020 Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs