Is the new Mercedes A Class the best of the Last?
Exterior – Front
So, let’s start at the front. Mercedes have given this car a subtle update to the front. Gone have the upside down led daytime running lights replaced with this sleeker more modern look. We also get a new grill with the Mercedes star mesh pattern which makes this car look more modern than before and in line with the new C Class. Lower down we get a slightly different central air vent, and the side vents are also different, and they are in fact very similar to the Mercedes CLS.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side of the A Class and there are no changes. We do get some new wheel options and colour options too.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and the changes are kept to a minimum. The only change that we get is a new set of taillights with a different graphic in them. the bumpers are kept the same which means we get the fake exhausts still. Talking of exhausts let’s have a look at the engine options.
Car and engine specs and price
So, for engine options there is petrol and diesel. The petrol engines consist of a 1.3 litre 4 cylinder turbo unit with either 134 bhp for the A180 model or 161 bhp for the A200 model. For the diesel there is a 2-litre unit with 148 bhp for the A200d model. There is a plug in hybrid version available but that is only for the saloon. The price of the Mercedes A Class starts at £31,880.
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the new A Class facelift and you are welcomed with some new updates. To start with the most noticeable we get the new steering wheel that you will find on all the new Mercedes now adays. For me I’m still not sure as you get the touch sensitive buttons but it is very easy and logical to use. Along with the new steering wheel we get the newer MBUX version 2 software. This means you get the same graphics that you will find in the new C Class, S Class and the EQ range. This is very easy to use and you also get a new digital instrument cluster style which I also like. Also the smaller screen sizes have not gone in replace with this bigger style which I am happy about. What I am not happy about though is that the touchpad in the centre has now gone. Why have they done that. On the new GLE facelift which has the same software has it. It has been done for cost cutting measures. Also, there are some cheaper plastics lower down, but the overall look and feel is very premium and Mercedes like.
Practicality
So, sitting in the back seat’s headroom is OK and legroom is not that bad but sitting behind a 6-footer you may struggle if you are also 6 feet. Also, one thing that will annoy the driver is that the headrests are fixed on the AMG-Line model. This will make it hard to see out the rear window. You do get some air vents and an armrest though.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot we have a wide opening area creating 370 litres of boot space with the seats up. Folding the seats 40/20/40 split it creates 1,210 litres. This is the same as before which is no surprise.
Summary
So in summary then the improvements that are made to a great car make the car better than before. There are some changes that I don’t agree with but it makes the car feel younger and more premium than before and the changes also make it feel like a more luxurious C Class which feels like and S Class.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4.5/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 13.5/15
Model | Mercedes A-Class A200 AMG-Line |
Price | From £31,880 |
Engine | 1.3 Litre Turbo 4 Cylinder, 161 bhp |
Transmission | 8 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic |
On Sale | Now |
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