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BMW 230i vs Mercedes-Benz A250

What's the difference?

VS
BMW 230i
BMW 230i

$19,990 - $37,990

2017 price

Mercedes-Benz A250
Mercedes-Benz A250

$39,978 - $54,990

2021 price

Summary

2017 BMW 230i
2021 Mercedes-Benz A250
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 1.3L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
7.4L/100km (combined)

1.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

5
Dislikes
  • Turbo-petrol fours' lag
  • Tight rear room
  • Fiddly (8sp auto) gear shift

  • Not the most refined hybrid
  • Ride and DCT could be better
  • Expensive
2017 BMW 230i Summary

If one is good, two must be better, right? Or twice as good. The question is whether that simple equation adds up for BMW's upgraded 1 and 2 Series siblings – the former, a range of five-door hatches, the latter, a line-up of cabriolets and coupes, with a major addition in the shape of the full-house, performance-focused M2.

Prices are up, and changes are mostly under the skin, so you're not getting  big visual bang for your extra bucks. But the new and improved 2 has plenty to offer when it comes to added spec and tech.

BMW invited us to the new car's Australian launch program along Tasmania's wet and wild west coast.

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2021 Mercedes-Benz A250 Summary

Hybrid is no longer a dirty word.

Australians have now embraced the semi-electrified powertrain in a big way, with the popularity of eponymous fuel-sipping Toyota hybrid models speaking for themselves.

But this sales-volume love has not extended to the tangled and often confusing world of plug-in hybrids, which puts Mercedes' latest offering in a bit of a tough spot.

The A 250 e is the late-arriving plug-in hybrid variant of the brand's popular A-Class range, and it offers some innovations which make living with an electrified car a lot more convenient.

With a tall asking price, though, is it a step too far into the electrified landscape, or a compelling option for Australians curious about electrifying their daily commute? We drove the A 250 e at its local launch to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2017 BMW 230i 2021 Mercedes-Benz A250

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