Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2005 Review

There is no hard and fast scientific reason why 46 per cent of the 6900 A-Class compact cars sold here since October, 1998, have gone to women.

That compares with the global figure of 40 per cent of the 1.1 million sales since 1997 going to females.

A large majority of the Australian sales have gone to people entering the Mercedes-Benz ownership experience for the first time.

So in terms of loyalty and repeat business the A-Class is hugely important even if it is a low volume niche player.

The first generation A-Class suffered somewhat unfairly from being radical and for not being as dynamically switched on as you would expect from the Stuttgart-based car giant.

It featured the sandwich design whereby in a frontal collision the engine and transmission would drop downwards and avoid penetrating the passenger safety cell.

This design is carried over to the new model which is a very different driving experience against the trend-setting first generation A-Class.

On entering the cabin there is an immediate feeling of space.

Glance to the rear and there are impressive levels of leg room, unlike some compacts which masquerade as four-door models but only really have practical space for two occupants.

The five-door A170, which should be the best-seller of the comprehensive range, delivers enough performance from its 85kW, 155Nm 1.7litre four cylinder engine.

It coasts along at the speed limit and copes nicely with the hills and hollows.

Steeper climbs require the Autotronic six-speed sequential box to drop a few cogs back to third or fourth depending on the situation.

The A170 as driven came with larger 17-inch wheels and sports suspension and felt extremely confident over surface changes which at times were greasy at best.

These new A-Classes provide a smart ride over bumps and pock-marked bitumen.

It is perhaps the ride that is the most endearing feature of the A-Class.

Steering at the straight ahead and just off centre is a little dull, taking away slightly from the driving experience.

In terms of grip, stability and handling qualities the A-Class is streets ahead of its predecessor.

Whereas the original model would be nervous the newcomer holds flat and doesn't squirm around corners.

It offers confident, sure-footed cornering when pushed to the threshold of breaking traction.

The key is in the new rear suspension which gives it the driving dynamics it was sadly lacking in the past.

In the entry level A150, the 70kW engine is willing, capably tackling the B-roads of rural areas as equally as it does built-up roads in town.

The five-speed manual gearbox is well suited to the 1.5litre engine.

It's probably not as sporty in its application on road as the BMW 1-series but the new A-Class has grown smarter.

While it remains a compact there are substantial gains in the cabin.

What has helped leverage more internal space is a gain in overall length of 232mm with 45mm added to its width.

All the controls and dash dials are neatly laid out for easy interpretation and functionality.

What is a major plus for Benz is the inclusion of a full-size spare tyre which is housed underneath the floor of the rear cargo bay.

The boot will swallow a fair degree of carryalls with an increase of 15 per cent to 435 litres.

These A-Classes, all three-and five-door versions and the different engine choices are on the pace practically and from a driving perspective.

What was once a radical and in some ways flawed model from the world's oldest car maker now has better road manners to match a roomier cabin in what remains a compact shell.