SPOT.
Photo of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

From a sandwich floor to a 416 hp A45S Limited Edition.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 31 sources

At a glance

0250500
59–416 hpPower
01020
3.9–16 s0–100 km/h
0150300
140–270 km/hTop speed
0250500
130–500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,095–1,625 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.234617

Engine
Gas/diesel fours; current A180 mild hybrid; A250 e PHEV (215 hp); trial EVs49
Layout
Front-engine FWD; 4MATIC AWD from 20134
Gearbox
5/6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, Autotronic CVT, 7/8-speed dual-clutch416
Built at
Rastatt, Germany; sedan also COMPAS, Aguascalientes, Mexico13
Units built
About 3.3 million A-Class cars by model year 2021.4

The story

The first-generation A-Class pursued midsize-sedan space and safety in a compact body. Its sandwich floor kept the cabin above the drivetrain, which slid underneath the occupants in a frontal crash.13

1997: W168: a small car with 72 seat layouts · Elk-test rollover triggers a recall19972001: 170 mm longer, stronger CDI engines20012004: W169 keeps the floor, adds a Coupé20042012: W176 becomes a conventional hatchback20122013: A45 AMG: 355 hp from two liters20132018: W177 debuts MBUX and a sedan20182019: US A220: 188 hp and a 6.2-second test20192023: A45 S facelift keeps 415 hp2023 Mercedes-Benz Vision A 93: 1993Mercedes-Benz Study A: 1994A-Class (first generation) (W168): 1997–2005W168A-Class (second generation) (W169 / C169): 2004–2012W169 / C169A-Class (third generation) (W176): 2012–2018W176A-Class (fourth generation) (W177 / V177): 2018–presentW177 / V177 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones146789101113
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1993Mercedes-Benz Vision A 93
1994Mercedes-Benz Study A
1997–2005A-Class (first generation) (W168)
2004–2012A-Class (second generation) (W169 / C169)
2012–2018A-Class (third generation) (W176)
2018–presentA-Class (fourth generation) (W177 / V177)
1997W168: a small car with 72 seat layouts
1997Elk-test rollover triggers a recall
2001170 mm longer, stronger CDI engines
2004W169 keeps the floor, adds a Coupé
2012W176 becomes a conventional hatchback
2013A45 AMG: 355 hp from two liters
2018W177 debuts MBUX and a sedan
2019US A220: 188 hp and a 6.2-second test
2023A45 S facelift keeps 415 hp
  1. 1997

    W168: a small car with 72 seat layouts

    The tall, front-drive W168 launches with midsize-sedan space and 72 possible seat arrangements.14

  2. 1997

    Elk-test rollover triggers a recall

    Mercedes recalls all 2,600 delivered W168s, pauses sales for three months and fits stability control plus revised suspension after the elk-test rollover.45

  3. 2001

    170 mm longer, stronger CDI engines

    The W168 gains a 170 mm longer version; A160 CDI rises to 74 hp and A170 CDI to 94 hp.46

  4. 2004

    W169 keeps the floor, adds a Coupé

    The W169 retains the sandwich floor, adds a three-door Coupé beside the five-door, and offers the Autotronic CVT.478

  5. 2012

    W176 becomes a conventional hatchback

    The third generation ditches the sandwich floor for a conventional hatchback on the MFA platform, aimed at younger buyers.491011

  6. 2013

    A45 AMG: 355 hp from two liters

    The A45 AMG brings 355 hp, 4MATIC and a seven-speed dual clutch, with the world's most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine.12

  7. 2018

    W177 debuts MBUX and a sedan

    Generation four arrives as W177 hatchback and V177 sedan; the A-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz to introduce MBUX.413

  8. 2019

    US A220: 188 hp and a 6.2-second test

    US sedan sales begin with the 188 hp, 300 Nm A220. The 4MATIC records a tested 6.2 seconds to 60 mph against a 7.1-second factory estimate.1314

  9. 2023

    A45 S facelift keeps 415 hp

    The A45 S receives new lights, an AMG grille and an Affalterbach crest; the M139 2.0-liter turbo four keeps its 415 hp output.15

Every generation

  • Mercedes-Benz Vision A 93
    Mercedes-Benz Vision A 931993
  • A-Class (first generation)
    W1681997–2005
  • A-Class (second generation)
    W169 / C1692004–2012
  • A-Class (third generation)
    W1762012–2018
  • A-Class (fourth generation)
    W177 / V1772018–present

Power over the years

From 80 hp to 416 hp in 27 years.

0200400600 200020052010201520202025 hp 1997 · 80 hp · W168 A1401998 · 59 hp · W168 A160 CDI1999 · 123 hp · W168 A1902002 · 138 hp · W168 A210 Evolution2004 · 138 hp · W169 A200 CDI2005 · 190 hp · W169 A200 Turbo2013 · 208 hp · W176 A250 Sport (South Africa)2013 · 355 hp · W176 A45 AMG2015 · 376 hp · W176 A45 facelift2019 · 302 hp · AMG A35 4Matic2019 · 415 hp · A45 S 4Matic+2024 · 416 hp · A45S Limited Edition (Malaysia) 416 hp A45S Limited Edition (Malaysia) 80 hp W168 A140
234810111216
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199780W168 A140
199859W168 A160 CDI
1999123W168 A190
2002138W168 A210 Evolution
2004138W169 A200 CDI
2005190W169 A200 Turbo
2013208W176 A250 Sport (South Africa)
2013355W176 A45 AMG
2015376W176 A45 facelift
2019302AMG A35 4Matic
2019415A45 S 4Matic+
2024416A45S Limited Edition (Malaysia)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Classic / Elegance / Avantgarde (W168)

    Standard

    Classic / Elegance / Avantgarde (W168)

    1997–2004

  • Five-door / C169 Coupé (W169)

    Standard

    Five-door / C169 Coupé (W169)

    2004–2012

  • Standard

    SE / Sport / AMG Line (W177)

  • Performance

    A 200 Turbo

    2005–2010

    190 hp

  • Performance

    A 250 Sport (W176)

  • A 210 Evolution (W168)

    Performance

    A 210 Evolution (W168)

    2002–2004

    138 hp
  • A 45 AMG (W176, facelift)

    Performance

    A 45 AMG (W176, facelift)

    2015–2018

    376 hp
  • A45 S 4MATIC+ (W177)

    Performance

    A45 S 4MATIC+ (W177)

    2019–

    415 hp
  • A 45 AMG Edition 1 (W176)

    Special

    A 45 AMG Edition 1 (W176)

    2013 (launch)

  • A 45 2015 World Champion Edition (W176)

    Special

    A 45 2015 World Champion Edition (W176)

    2016

  • Limited

    A45S 4MATIC+ Limited Edition

    2024

    416 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • W168 and W169 stand tall like mini-MPVs; W176 switched to a low, stretched hatchback shape.11
  • 2019 sedan: slim headlights carry torch-shaped daytime running lights.13

Year by year

  1. 2001 (W168)

    A contoured front bumper and reshaped lower intake join clear-look headlights; the dashboard was also redesigned.6

  2. 2008 (W169)

    The facelift reshaped the front and rear bumpers and revised the lights.4

  3. 2009 (W169)

    A150 became A160 and A170 became A180; the new badges brought no technical changes.78

  4. 2015 (W176)

    Updated headlights and taillights, a diamond-pattern grille and integrated exhaust outlets identify the facelift.10

  5. 2021 sedan

    A220 and A220 4MATIC gained 18-inch wheels as standard.21

  6. 2023, A45 S

    New headlights and a revised AMG grille arrived; the nose badge switched from a Mercedes star to the Affalterbach crest.15

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    A-Class
    Photo of a Audi A2
    Audi A2

    Audi A2

    The A2 is smaller overall than the first-generation A-Class.5

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    A-Class
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    The B-Class is larger; the W176 A-Class is its smaller, sportier hatchback alternative.10

Against its rivals

  • Audi RS 3 Sportback

    A-Class vs Audi RS 3 Sportback

    Power

    A-Class415 hp
    Audi RS 3 Sportback395 hp
    23

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$20K$40K$60K 201820202022202420262028 2019 · $35,495 · US A220 4MATIC base2019 · $51,950 · US A220 4MATIC as tested2021 · $33,650 · US A220 MSRP, excludes delivery2021 · $35,650 · US A220 4MATIC MSRP, excl. delivery2021 · $45,850 · US AMG A35 MSRP, excludes delivery 2024 · $11,000 · 1999 A160 CDI Avantgarde, 68k miles, BaT2026 · $5,800 · 1998 A160 Avantgarde ACS, 110k miles, BaT $11.0K BaT, 2024
1314213031
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2019Price when new$35,495US A220 4MATIC base
2019Price when new$51,950US A220 4MATIC as tested
2021Price when new$33,650US A220 MSRP, excludes delivery
2021Price when new$35,650US A220 4MATIC MSRP, excl. delivery
2021Price when new$45,850US AMG A35 MSRP, excludes delivery
2024Auction sale$11,0001999 A160 CDI Avantgarde, 68k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,8001998 A160 Avantgarde ACS, 110k miles, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Moers and the 355 hp four-cylinder record”
    • “7:49 after dropping into neutral”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. 168 series A-Class Saloons, 1997 - 2001 mercedes-benz-archive.com
  2. 2024 Mercedes-AMG A45S Limited Edition launched in Malaysia, RM559k - 10 units only - AutoBuzz.my autobuzz.my
  3. Mercedes-Benz Baureihe 168 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Mercedes-Benz A-Class - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Used Mercedes A-Class (Mk1, 1997-2004) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  6. 168 series A-Class Saloons, 2001 - 2005 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  7. Czy warto kupić: używany Mercedes klasy A (od 2004 do 2012) • AutoCentrum.pl autocentrum.pl
  8. Mercedes-Benz Baureihe 169 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  9. Mercedes-Benz A-class review – the Audi A3-rivalling hatchback Mercedes can’t afford to kill | evo evo.co.uk
  10. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 (2013-2018) Buyer's Guide cars.co.za
  12. Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG: desempenho para uma nova geração | Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans Brasil - Imprensa imprensa.mercedes-benz.com.br
  13. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  14. 2019 Mercedes A 220 Review: We Test the Mercedes of Entry-Level Luxury Cars motortrend.com
  15. Mercedes-AMG A45 S 2025 review – the ultimate hyperhatch? | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Used Mercedes A-Class (Mk4, 2018-date) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ im Supertest auto-motor-und-sport.de
  18. Mercedes A-Class review (2005-2012) | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. Mercedes A210 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. Official: Mercedes-AMG A 45 2015 World Champion Edition gtspirit.com
  21. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  22. Used Mercedes A-Class (Mk3, 2013-2018) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  23. Audi RS 3 vs Mercedes-AMG A 45 S: 2022 twin test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  24. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: design story - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  25. メルセデス・ベンツ 、「NEXT A-Class」キャンペーンを開始 media.mercedes-benz.jp
  26. “Forza Motorsport 5” IGN Car Pack Now Available for Download - XBOX Wire news.xbox.com
  27. Mercedes Benz A-Class – Inside BTCC insidebtcc.com
  28. Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  29. 1998 MERCEDES A160 CLASSIC | Sat 14th & Sun 15th June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  30. No Reserve: 1998 Mercedes-Benz A160 Avantgarde 5-Speed ACS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,800 on March 26, 2026 (Lot #235,111) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 1999 Mercedes-Benz A160 CDI Avantgarde 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,000 on November 17, 2024 (Lot #170,977) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • mercedes-benz-archive.com
  • autobuzz.my
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  • autocentrum.pl
  • evo.co.uk
  • cars.co.za
  • imprensa.mercedes-benz.com.br
  • media.mbusa.com
  • motortrend.com
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • gtspirit.com

Photo credits

Other car files