The days of straightforward, powerful hatchbacks are slowly disappearing. It’s unfortunate, but now these cars feel more like novelties than common sightings on the road.

Hot hatches are becoming rare, with many of them reaching their final stage of evolution and becoming quite expensive. Take, for example, the £50,000 Honda Civic Type R.

But there are still a few stalwarts in the segment, such as the Mercedes-AMG A35. This model, along with the rest of the A-Class range, has received updates for 2023, before an electric successor arrives in a couple of years.

The refreshed A35 inherits the muscular bonnet design from the hardcore A45, as well as its grille. Mercedes has even replaced its own badge with the Affalterbach firm’s logo, emphasizing the car’s AMG credentials.

But is it truly an AMG? Some doubts persist. The A35 has always used a modified version of a regular A-Class engine, rather than a bespoke AMG powerplant. This raises questions about authenticity. However, considering the new C63 now has a four-cylinder engine instead of the iconic V8, perhaps authenticity is a subjective matter.

The A35 still looks sharp with its tweaked headlights, new wheel design, and other minor changes. However, the rear wing, which the more powerful A45 can pull off, looks a bit forced on the A35. Thankfully, this aerodynamic feature is only available on the top-end Premium Plus trim, which comes with a hefty price tag of £51,000. Lesser versions of the A35 get a more subtle spoiler reminiscent of the original Ford Focus RS.

Inside the cabin, Mercedes has removed the touchpad, opting for a crisp touchscreen as the sole controller for the infotainment system. The interior, while emphasizing luxury, doesn’t quite match up to the impeccable quality found in some competitors. Nevertheless, it’s a comfortable place to be, and the new steering wheel is much more appealing than its predecessor.

In terms of driving dynamics, five years after its introduction, the A35 remains an intriguing and somewhat inconsistent character. It wants to excel on twisty B-roads, with its firm suspension providing good composure during spirited driving. However, the steering response can feel a bit slow off-center, and the seats lack the necessary support and low positioning to match the car’s sporty intentions. As a result, dialing back the aggression and adopting a smoother driving style suits the A35 better.