Costs & verdict

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

The Mercedes AMG A45 S is one of the most expensive hot hatches you can buy, costing many thousands of pounds more than even the BMW M135i. Then again, the Audi RS3 – the A45's only direct rival – costs a very similar amount.

Although it’s unlikely you’d run one as a company car, it's worth noting that the A45’s CO2 emissions put it in the top 37% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket. However, its official 31mpg fuel economy figure isn’t bad for a car this fast, and in our real-world tests it still averaged a respectable 28.5mpg.

Overview

Make no mistake, the AMG A45 is more than just a one-trick pony. Not only is it incredibly rapid in a straight line, it’s also agile and entertaining through the corners, too. It's very pricey, though.

  • Savage acceleration
  • Immense grip
  • Quick-shifting automatic gearbox
  • Very expensive
  • RS3 is more comfortable and quieter