As foundations go, the standard A-Class’s cabin was always going to lend itself well to hot hatches. In terms of style appeal, the base architecture starts things off strongly: the same stepped dashboard top remains, as do the turbine-style air vents in the centre fascia and the large twin screens of the MBUX infotainment system. However, for full-fat AMG Plus specification, material quality has been suitably improved too.
Expansive sections of brushed aluminium now wrap their way around the tops of the doors and across the dash, their metallic surfaces contrasting smartly against the glossy black plastic panelling that surrounds the air vents and populates the centre console. In Plus-spec cars, genuine leather upholstery replaces the combination of microfibre and man-made Artico leather on the AMG Performance seats and door cards, while eye-catching sections of contrasting yellow panelling and stitching further heighten the car’s visual dose of athletic intent.
The seats themselves are pretty firm and position you a bit higher in the cabin than you might like, but their ample bolsters keep you snug and provide good support. There’s plenty of adjustability in the steering column and the relatively thin-rimmed, microfibre-upholstered wheel feels good in your hands.
Functionality is good, too. There are plenty of storage cubbies dotted around front and rear, and head and leg room in the back are decent enough, at 690mm and 930mm respectively. The 370-litre boot, meanwhile, is the same size as the standard A-Class’s and 35 litres larger than that of the Audi RS3, its closest conceptual rival.
