A-Class Review of the Mercedes Family Car.
The Mercedes A-Class is a marvellous family car offering luxury in a practical, versatile package. Jeremy Webb tackled the mud and muck of winter on West Sussex roads in the German A200. He was struck by how much fun driving was and thinks you will be too.
The Mercedes A-Class range offers a car option for everyone, with a hot hatch, a family car, and a saloon version. Various power supplies and outputs are available, but all provide a luxury feel and plenty of pleasure.
The A200d is the only diesel A-Class, a blast with a perky performance. The petrol version is the A180, which isn’t quite as rapid as the diesel so that you will want the A200 for power. You can also up the game and select a hot hatch AMG A35 or AMG A45. They are fast and furious yet still offer versatility and practicality.
The Mercedes A-Class range has a soft suspension and is more comfortable than most rivals, such as the Audi A3 or BMW 1 series. Given the state of the UK road surfaces, you will appreciate the soft ride, which does feel stiffer as you put the peddle down.
All models handle reasonably, with a slight lean from the body in fast twisties. However, the leaning is not aggressive and never feels insecure. You can also flick the car around with responsive steering and keep it locked in through corners.
Drivers will be highly comfortable behind the wheel of the Mercedes A-Class, which has abundant adjustment for the reach and height of the steering wheel. The driver’s seat is snug and supportive, with plenty of manual adjustments.
The dashboard has buttons that are a breeze to use, unlike the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. The driver gets a 10.3-inch clear digital display that provides all the necessary information and is united with the infotainment system, which has a 10.3-inch screen in the dashboard's centre.
The A-Class's visibility is acceptable for the driver; the only nag is when you look over your shoulder. You are supported by all-round parking sensors and a rear-view camera that come as standard on all versions of the Mercedes A-Class.
You have LED headlights to illuminate your trips, and if you opt for the AMG Line Premium Plus trim, they are adaptive LEDs. It allows you to leave the high beam on without affecting other drivers.
The Mercedes A-Class has a luxurious, desirable interior that befits a high-end car rather than a family vehicle. It features faux leather, metal inserts, and quality gloss-black plastic. The layout and features are lovely, particularly the air vents, which look like turbines and glow at night.
The space in the front of the Mercedes A-Class is generous, and even users of above-average height will not complain about headroom or movement of the front seats. You can get a couple of 500ml bottles in the door pockets, and for your coffee on the go, there are deep cupholders.
The rear seats are also comfortable and provide a liberal amount of room, so users will not be squashed together. The Audi A3 has about the same space, and the BMW 1 series and VW Golf are slightly roomier. You can get larger family cars without the luxury marque, such as the Seat Leon, Ford’s Focus and the superb Skoda Octavia.
The Mercedes A-Class range has 40/20/40 split rear seats, providing versatility and practicality when the vehicle is required as a cargo carrier rather than a passenger car. Regarding carrying items, the A-Class has 355 litres of space, which isn’t outstanding, but it will hold luggage for some time away and, more regularly, the weekly shop.
Fuel economy is appealing, with the A200d achieving 57mpg and the A200 petrol achieving up to 48mpg.
Mercedes' entry-level A-Class trim is the Sport Executive, which features 17-inch alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, rear privacy glass, climate control, LED headlights, and heated front seats. Step up to the AMG Line Executive, which has 18-inch wheels with sportier styling; then up to the AMG Line Premium, which has two-zone climate control, an upgraded 225W sound system, and illuminated door sills. Top of the range is the AMG Line Premium Plus, which has 19 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, and other luxury touches.
All Mercedes A-Class models have an abundance of safety aids. Lane-keeping assistance, AEB automatic emergency braking, and a driver alertness monitoring system are standard. You get blind-spot monitoring with the AMG Line Premium as you increase trim levels. As an option on the Premium Plus, a Driver Assistance Pack gives you Evasive Steering Assist, Active Steering Assist, and Active Lane-Change Assist.
The Mercedes A-Class is an all-purpose vehicle with something for everyone: a hot hatch, a family car and a saloon. It is luxurious, performs well and carries the kudos of owning a luxury German marque. You will enjoy driving and owning an A-Class, which is all you can ask from a car. A couple of other RTR staff and I loved the design of the A-Class and grabbed the keys to it at every opportunity; you may have similar experiences with other members of your household.
£31000 is the starting price for the Mercedes A-Class.