Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan 2020 review: snapshot

Mercedes-Benz says the drag co-efficient for this new sedan version of its fourth-generation A-Class is the lowest ever measured for a passenger vehicle.

At a bit over 4.5m long, a fraction under 1.8m wide, and close to 1.5m tall it’s 130mm longer and 6.0mm higher than the hatch version.

And the reason we’re all here is the boot, the sedan’s extra length translating to an additional 60 litres of luggage space for a total cargo volume of 430 litres (VDA).

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Explore the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Range

Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan 2020 review: snapshot Mercedes-Benz A 180 sedan 2020 review: snapshot

The A-Class sedan is launching with two variants, the A 200 at $49,400, before on-road costs, and the entry-level A 180 at $44,900.

Standard equipment for the A 200 runs to 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘Artico’ faux leather upholstery, the ‘MBUX’ widescreen cockpit display (two 10.25-inch digital screens), auto LED headlights and DRLs, keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, climate-control, sat nav, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, ‘Active Parking Assist’ (with ultrasonic proximity sensors front and rear), tinted glass, plus nine-speaker, 225W audio with digital radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Plus a dual exhaust system, four-way electrical adjustment for the driver’s seat (with lumbar support), a folding rear armrest (with twin cupholders), adaptive high-beam assist, and a wireless device charging bay.

Power is supplied by a 1.3-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine delivering 120kW (at 5500rpm) and 250Nm (at 1620rpm). Drive goes to the front wheels only via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 5.7L/100km, with a CO2 emissions figure of 130g/km.

Active safety features include ABS, BA, EBD, stability and traction controls, a reversing camera (with dynamic guidelines), ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), ‘Adaptive Brake’, ‘Attention Assist’, ‘Blind Spot Assist’, ‘Cross-wind Assist’, ‘Lane Keep Assist’, ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’, a tyre pressure warning system, the ‘Pre-Safe’ accident anticipatory system, and ‘Traffic Sign Assist’.

If all that fails to prevent an impact you’ll be protected by nine airbags (front, pelvis and window for driver and front passenger, side airbags for rear seat occupants and a driver’s knee bag), and the ‘Active Bonnet’ automatically tilts to minimise pedestrian injuries.

Mercedes-Benz covers its passenger car range with a three year/unlimited km warranty with ‘Mercedes-Benz Road Care’ assistance included for three years.

Service is scheduled for 12 months/25,000km (whichever comes first) with pricing available on an ‘Up-front’ or ‘Pay-as-you-go’ basis.