Review: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Facelift

Now I've said this before and I will say it again. The A-Class is easily one of the best looking hatchbacks on the road. It remains so after the facelift too! The car gets redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new headlamp cluster which is all-LED, and a new design detail and signature for the taillights too - which I have to say is very nicely done.

Inside, the car gets a newly finished soft-touch dash that boasts great material quality. The trim is also new, and the fabric door inserts and stitching detail is nicely done. The seats themselves are also sportier in their appeal, with new upholstery that has either red or green highlights.

It's too bad Mercedes-Benz hasn't brought us Apple Car play that the A-Class has in other markets. But there is an updated infotainment system that now has Mercedes Apps - that includes NDTV too by the way (oh wait, am I plugging our network? You bet I am!). There is also a standard panoramic glass roof now for good measure.

The A-Class retains its engines that were tweaked and given a bump up on power last year. The petrol is the A180 Sport, which has the 122bhp, 1.6 litre engine, while the A200 Sport has the all too familiar 136bhp motor doing duty. Both variants have the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Unlike most facelifts, which get new features ,looks and higher prices, the A-Class prices are unchanged. The A180 Sport is priced at Rs 24.95 lakh and the A200 d Sport at Rs 25.95 lakh. The A-Class remains a fun, peppy and exciting car to drive. Is it a fire starter? No, because Mercedes-Benz never got us the powerful 218 bhp A 250, nor the AMG A 45! But it still has enough, including reasonably attractive prices to get you excited.