Mercedes-Benz‘s A-Class hatchback will finally be coming to Canada after decades being sold abroad, the automaker said early February, joining its new A-Class sedan which is set to make its debut Stateside this fall, and hit the Canadian market on an undisclosed date.

For many years, Mercedes-Benz actively avoided selling its cheaper models in North America while the brand situated itself as a luxury manufacturer. This year’s introduction of the entry-level A-Class comes on the heels of it releasing the popular CLA and GLA here, and makes the model the new cheapest Mercedes you can buy in Canada.

Option boxes on the A-Class order form include FWD; or AWD via the 4Matic model, but your sole engine option is a 221-hp 2.0-litre inline-four that makes a respectable 258 lb-ft of torque. That makes the A 250 downright quick, jogging to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds. The underpinnings of the A-Class are, like most in the compact hatch segment, simple, with McPherson-strut front suspension and what Mercedes calls “a sophisticated four-link” rear suspension, which could be a fancy name for a semi-independent beam rear axle.

Inside, the A-Class eschews traditional gauges for one massive screen that runs from the left side of the dash nearly to the passenger seat. The screen is not integrated into the dashboard and instead stands proudly apart from it by several inches. On that screen you’ll find the new Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) operating system, of which Mercedes is very proud. The system has Apple Car Play, and Android Auto. Sprucing up the interior is a standard panoramic glass sunroof, and in hatchback form, it can fit 370 litres of luggage behind the rear seats.

Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but Mercedes says they’ll have more information on the car later this year.