This video features the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range.

Ten Second Review

Mercedes-Benz is a company often portrayed as being deeply conservative, though in fact, no other manufacturer has such a record of innovation. Today, the brand is bolder, more forward-thinking and younger in feel, attributes very much in evidence in this fourth generation version of its smallest A-Class model. This car's now pitched even more directly against sporty premium compact family hatches like Audi's A3 and BMW's 1 Series thanks to key new driving features, plus sharper looks, extra media connectivity and greater efficiency. It's a step forward.

Background

Want a case study in how to change brand perception? You're looking at it right here with this third generation Mercedes A-Class. Almost singlehandedly, this car has taken this famous marque and made it one a younger buyer could consider. Plus at the same time, this MK3 design has also paved the way for a whole new generation of compact models that have done wonders for the Stuttgart maker's bottom line. Time to check out this significantly revised version. As before, we're told to regard this A-Class as what the market calls a 'compact premium family hatchback' - in other words, a Focus or Astra-sized car with superior quality and a bit of extra badge equity. It's the kind of very profitable product that all the mainstream makers wish they could sell but which is primarily defined by this car and its two closest competitors, the Audi A3 and BMW's 1 Series. The frumpy first and second generation A-Class contenders didn't really threaten these two rivals in any meaningful way, but this car's MK3 model predecessor really did. With its successor, Mercedes has sharpened up the looks, improved interior space and dialled in a great deal more safety and media connectivity.

Driving Experience

From launch, the A-Class range is based around three key engines, with others scheduled for the future. The entry-level A200 variant is likely to be most popular featuring a new 1.4-litre 163hp unit available with either 6-speed manual or 7G-DCT dual-clutch auto transmission. Rest to 62mph in the manual model takes 8.2s. Next up is the A250, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol powerplant developing 224bhp and is only offered with the 7G-DCT auto 'box but is available with Mercedes' 4MATIC AWD system. Rest to 62mph here takes 6.2s. The diesel alternative is the A180d, which puts out 116hp and uses the 7G-DCT auto gearbox. What else do you need to know? Well the suspension is the usual torsion beam rear set-up on most models, but if you go for a variant with 4MATIC AWD, you'll get a more sophisticated multi-link rear set-up. The 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system is standard, as usual enabling you to tweak steering feel and throttle response. At extra cost, adjustable damping can be added into it. Some of the autonomous driving capability from larger Mercedes models has been built into this one, meaning that, in certain situations, your A-Class, if appropriately equipped, will effectively be able to drive itself on dual carriageways at cruising speeds.

Design and Build

From the outside, this fourth generation A-Class delivers a more progressive design with a low bonnet and flat, more angular LED headlamps. The car is visually extended by its now longer wheelbase and a smart character line along the side. The bonnet slopes down more heavily than in the preceding model series, emphasising the more dynamic, upright front. Larger wheel arches housing bigger rims (ranging from 16 to 19 inches) help too, making this A-Class sit more squarely on the road. The premium hatch has a wider look at the rear end thanks to a more heavily waisted greenhouse and at the rear, there are slim, two-section tail lights. It's the interior that sees the really big changes though. The usual instrument binnacle cowl has been completely dispensed with, so the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard can extend from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. A virtual instrument screen (of either 7-inches or 10.25-inches in size) replaces the usual dials and can be joined with a centre-dash infotainment display (again either 7-inches or 10.25-inches in size) to create one continuous monitor, much as you get in larger Mercedes models. That extra wheelbase means more interior space - and the 370-litre boot is 29-litres larger than before too.

Market and Model

Prices for mainstream models start at around £26,000 or the A180d diesel variant, rising to £27,500 for the petrol A200 and just over £30,000 for the petrol A250. There are three trim levels - 'SE', 'Sport' and 'AMG Line'. Every model comes well equipped. The entry-level 'SE' trim features twin seven-inch displays including a central touchscreen with MBUX multimedia system featuring 'Hey Mercedes' voice activation. Plus there's comfort suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, a DAB radio, Artico man-made leather and Bertrix fabric upholstery, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, a Keyless-Go starting function and air conditioning. The 'Sport' trim line adds LED high performance headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, Artico and 'Fleron' fabric upholstery and automatic climate control. 'AMG Line' customers will benefit from 18-inch AMG alloy wheels, an AMG bodystyling kit, Artico and Dinamica microfibre upholstery and a three-spoke sports steering wheel. This fourth generation A-Class is much better connected than before. Navigation functions, for example, can now be based on traffic feedback from so-called 'Car-to-X communication' where information gets fed in from other similarly-equipped road users. As usual, there's a dowloadable 'Mercedes Me' app that connects you into your car and can tell you things like local fuel prices or the availability of parking spaces at your destination.

Cost of Ownership

The economy champion of course, is the A180d variant, which exhales just 108g/km of CO2, while only drinking a gallon of fuel on the combined cycle every 68.9 miles. With respectable performance figures, it's a tempting package - albeit one that in its standard form, forgoes the big wheels and aggressive bodykits of more dynamic-looking versions. If you plan on adding the extra features, then economy will obviously take a hit. As for the petrol engines, well the A200 in manual form manages 51.4mpg on the combined cycle and 133g/km of CO2, figures that improve to 55.3mpg and 120g/km if you go for auto transmission. The auto-only A250 2.0-litre petrol variant manages 45.6mpg and 141g/km. The warranty may be an industry standard 3 years but is for unlimited miles, handy to know if you spend a lot of time on the road. Just remember that a mid-range diesel is the sensible option for high resale figures. With that in mind, something like a mid-spec A180d model might well represent the sweet spot of the range. On the other hand, an 4MATIC petrol variant with every option thrown at it will lose a lot more of its value over the years.

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Specification

Body Glass
Rain sensor windscreen wipers
Heated rear window with timer
Electric front windows
Electric rear windows
Rear wiper
Brakes
Adaptive brake system
ESP with ASR
Electronic parking brake
Hill start assist
ABS with Brake Assist
Chassis/Suspension
Comfort suspension
Communication
Bluetooth interface for hands free telephone
Driver Aids
Reversing camera
Attention assist
Speed sensitive parameter assisted steering
Park assist pilot with front and rear park assist
Collision prevention assist plus
Dynamic drive mode selector
Driver Information
Bulb failure indicator
Service indicator (ASSYST PLUS)
Trip computer
Low fluid warning light
External temperature gauge
8" colour display screen
Driving Mirrors
Electric adjustable heated door mirrors
Auto dimming driver's door mirror
Body coloured door mirrors
Electric folding door mirrors
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Embellishment Trims
Chrome air vent surrounds
Checked pattern trim
Entertainment
USB port
Exterior Body Features
Twin Trapezoidal tailpipes
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Chrome beltline
Body colour door handles
Body colour bumpers
Body colour side skirt
Diamond radiator grille in black with one louvre in silver + chrome insert
Exterior Lights
Adaptive brake lights
LED daytime running lights
LED headlights
High beam assist
Headlamp assist
Daytime running lights
LED tail lights
Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
Dual zone automatic climate control
Interior Features
Gearshift paddles on steering wheel
Load securing rings in luggage compartment
12V socket
Illuminated door sills
Illuminated storage compartment
Luggage compartment cover
Black headlining
Front seat backs luggage nets
Twin front cupholders
Artico leather upholstery
Illuminated glovebox
Storage compartment under load area floor
Front centre armrest with storage compartment
Height/reach adjustable steering column
3 spoke perforated leather multifunction sports steering wheel
Storage compartment under front seats
Interior Lights
Footwell lights
12 colour Ambient lighting
Front and rear reading lights
Packs
Seat comfort pack - A Class
Safety
Window airbags
Active bonnet
Front head airbags
Front and rear seatbelt reminder
Child proof door locks
Warning triangle and first aid kit
Dual stage Driver/Passenger Airbags
Tyre pressure monitoring system
3 rear 3 point seatbelts
Drivers knee airbag
Front side airbags
Occupancy sensor for passenger seat
Crash responsive emergency lighting
Seats
4 way adjustable lumbar support
Front head restraints
Isofix rear child seat preparation
Heated front seats
Rear head restraints
Height adjustable front seats
Electric front seats with memory
Adjustable head restraints
1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats
Auto Mercedes-Benz child seat recognition sensor
Security
Keyless Go access/ignition system
Alarm system/interior protection/immobiliser
Remote central locking
Vanity Mirrors
Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
Wheels - Alloy
17" 5 twin spoke alloy wheels
Wheels - Spare
Tirefit sealant with electric air pump

Options

Entertainment
6 speakers	Standard
Mercedes Audio 20 radio/single CD + telephone keypad	Standard
DAB Digital radio	£420.00
Media interface	Standard
SD card slot	Standard
Harman/Kardon logic 7 surround sound system + 12 speakers	£680.00
Packs
Stowage Pack - A Class	£170.00
Driving assistance pack - A Class	£1,695.00
Lane tracking pack - A Class	£595.00
Paint - Metallic
Metallic - Polar silver	£595.00
Metallic - Cosmos Black	£595.00
Metallic - Mountain grey	£595.00
Metallic - Cavansite Blue	£595.00
Paint - Solid
Solid - Cirrus white	Standard
Solid - Jupiter Red	Standard
Exterior Body Features
Metallic paint	£595.00
Solid paint	Standard
Body Glass
Privacy glass	£295.00
Driver Information
Mercedes connect me	Standard
Garmin Map pilot navigation system with SD Card	Standard
Mercedes connect me with remote online services	£150.00
Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay	Standard
COMAND online HDD Nav with media interface, radio/CD/DVD/MP3, 8" screen, linguatronic, 10GB music register, SD card slot , smartphone integration	£995.00
Driver Aids
Speedtronic cruise control	Standard
Towing
Manually folding towbar	£810.00
Trim - Leather
Artico leather - Black	Standard
Artico leather - Grey	Standard

Performance

Performance
0 to 60 mph (secs)
0 to 62 mph (secs)	10.4
Engine Power - BHP	102
Engine Power - KW	75
Engine Power - PS
Engine Power - RPM	4500
Engine Torque - LBS.FT	133
Engine Torque - NM	180
Engine Torque - RPM	1200
Top Speed	118