We’re used to calling mid-lifecycle updates “facelifts”, simply for the fact that they usually – or at least, used to – only come with a couple of cosmetic upgrades, plus a refreshed equipment list. That clearly wasn’t what Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had in mind when they unveiled the new 2023 A 250 4Matic, because as its (new) name suggests, there’s much more underneath than just a few design updates.
But first, let’s have a look at the actual facelift part of the update, shall we?
Some might call the cosmetic upgrades “mild”, but that might even be putting it a little lightly. For the 2023 model, the A 250 now gets new lighting signatures in its headlamps and tail lights, alongside a slightly revised AMG Line front apron, new three-pointed star front grille mesh, plus two “power bulges” on the bonnet… and that’s pretty much it. Yes, really.
It’s pretty much the same story inside, too, with the only changes reserved to the centre console – the touchpad control panel for the MBUX infotainment system on the outgoing pre-facelift model has now been removed, and in its place is now a shallow storage cubby, just about enough for your car park access card and a couple of loose coins.
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An updated MBUX system now finally lets the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displays fill up the entire 10.25-inch centre screen, although the new displays in the instrument cluster inexplicably took away some of the customisability that were available on the outgoing NTG6 system.
That said, the Mercedes-Benz A Class still has one of the nicest-looking dashboard design in its segment, and the new AMG Line steering wheel specific to the A 250 variant does take the modern ambience of the cabin up a notch – I just wish the touch-activated buttons were a tad bit more user-friendly.
Seems like a pretty basic update, then? Well, that’s because the big changes are all hidden under the hood. While it does retain the same 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine as before (with unchanged outputs at 224 hp and 350 Nm), the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A 250 now gets a 48V mild-hybrid system that can provide an additional 14 hp of boost when needed.
The dual-clutch gearbox has gained an extra cog to now feature eight gears in total, but most importantly, the new A 250 also now comes with Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system, sending the power now to all four wheels instead. The question, though, is do you actually need it?
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It might be the worse stock tyres (Continental EcoContact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4), but the 2023 Mercedes-Benz A 250 4Matic didn’t necessarily feel that much more grippy around the bends compared to the A 250 we reviewed back in 2020.
Interestingly, the new car is also 0.1 seconds slower to reach a 100 km/h on paper compared to the old car, despite the extra power boost from the MHEV system. We’re guessing it’s down to the extra weight from the AWD system – but to be honest, you probably won’t notice the difference anyway. It’s still an absolute rocket in a straight line, and it’ll happily accelerate past the national speed limit if you’re not careful…
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz A 250 4Matic is now available in Malaysia, priced at RM263,888 on-the-road and without insurance, inclusive of a standard four-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Learn more about the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz A 250 4Matic in our launch coverage here.
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