2006 Mercedes-Benz A200 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1997 – 2013 Mercedes A-Class.

After someone asks me what car I'm driving, the next thing they ask is invariably, “What's it like?'' When the answer to the first question is, “a Mercedes'', then the answer to the second one is invariable too: “The older I get, the more I like them.''There are two thoughts at work here. First, that the finely calibrated discrimination of maturity is required to appreciate their qualities; like stilton or single malt, perhaps. But also, and more ambiguously for the brand, that Mercedes are old people's cars.The image of Mercedes as a venerable maker of ponderous limousines is something it has been trying to shrug off for decades. It has no choice because the prestige car market has been changing. Luxury buyers increasingly demand smaller cars and non-luxury buyers increasingly demand, well, luxury.Then there's the issue of tighter and tighter emissions regulations, which are impossible to meet without small cars in your line-up.In some ways Mercedes was an early mover here. Its first crack at the small market was the A-Class from 15 years ago. However, it was not a happy birth. The tall tiddler famously failed a swerve-to-avoid manoeuvre known as the “elk test'', undertaken by a specialist magazine, and needed a PR rearguard action to avoid disaster.“The prospects for premium compact cars have never been better,'' Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said when revealing the car last year. “We expect global demand to grow by more than four million units over the next 10 years.''Capturing some of those extra buyers is essential to Mercedes' goal of regaining No 1 spot in luxury sales by the end of the decade. “A stands for attack,'' Zetsche said, with 50 per cent of buyers expected to be new to the brand.At the Melbourne launch local chief Horst von Sanden was confident of selling 200 a month, many more than the previous A and B-Class put together. It will be a challenge for the dealer network, as Merc novitiates would demand the full three-pointed star treatment.“It's very important that we treat these newcomers to the brand like every loyal Mercedes customer would be treated,'' he said. “Although we have some aggressive and attractive pricing, they still accept a premium price, and for that they want something special.''VALUEThat price starts at $35,600, which is lower than the original 15 years ago. It sent a shiver through its rivals. Additional cost reassurance comes in the shape of a $1383 service contract to cover the first 50,000km or more than three years for an average driver. Who says Europeans are expensive to run?Equipment levels, however, would make a Merc buyer of only a decade ago recoil with envy. All cars are fitted with a seven-speed double-clutch automatic, so that's standard, so is useful stuff such as auto headlights and for the spatially challenged, a semi-automatic parking system. There are classy features such as ambient lighting and illuminated door sills.One feature much touted at last year's reveal was a high level of integration with Apple's iPhone. However, this requires a special kit that has yet to be confirmed for Australia. There's Bluetooth, but a $2990 option pack is needed for internet, digital radio and 10 gigabyte music storage.It's clear where costs have been cut. The leather is artificial unless you pay extra -- bundled with other bits it's $2490. Many levels have cheap racket seat adjustment and when the soft textures run out the plastics are any-level hatchback.DESIGNAn accessible price is just the start. Other A-Class lures are a combination of traditional Merc virtues and something new. The design is in-your-face, with large lights and grille the most conspicuous elements of a bulbous front end. There are pronounced style creases along the flanks, very much design du jour, while the rear is anonymous enough to be almost any small hatch. It's bold but not beautiful.The cabin is more successful. The surfaces are clean and uncluttered; there are soft textures at dash level and some below. The wands feel quality; so do the gearshift paddles and satin metallic highlights around door handles and vents. The button-gear and steering wheel are standard-issue Merc, a plus. A crisp control screen looks expensive. The boot looks big enough but the finish is not at mainstream Merc standards.TECHNOLOGYFor 2013, kit debuted only a few years ago on Merc's tech spearhead, the S-Class, has trickled down to the A. Of four engines on offer the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol is quickest by far but requires buying into the Sport trim and comes with some drawbacks. Its bass soundtrack has a thrumminess at constant revs and the quicker Sport steering is too quick, if anything.SAFETYFor many, Mercedes' reputation for safety will be a wallet winner and the A-Class has form here, having introduced electronic stability control to the segment in 1997. It also has a collision prevention system that alerts the driver and primes the brakes if it senses imminent impact with a car in front at speeds above 30km/h.DRIVINGIts Sport suspension struggles to control body movements on Australian country roads and the ride quality is brittle. The high-output version of the 1.6-litre in the A200 is quieter and slower but easier to live with. It has enough get up and go, and actually sounds terrific when you push it. I preferred the steering and suspension set-up.The 1.8-litre diesel in the A200 CDI won't kid you into mistaking it for a petrol engine, as some do, but it does pull strongly and for long hauls would be worth considering. One problem for all the cars was a bit more tyre noise than expected, a common problem among European imports. It was one reason the A-Class doesn't deliver the serenity you expect in a Merc.VERDICTThere's enough brand feel-good to make this a convincing junior Merc. And as the young brand adopters get older, they'll have acquired a taste for full-strength versions.NEED TO KNOWPrice: From $35,600 (A180) to $49,900 (A250) plus on-road costsEngines: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (A180, A200); 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel (A200 CDI); 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (A250)Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, front-wheel driveThirst: 4.6l/100km combined (A200 CDI); 5.8-6.6l/100km combined (petrol), CO2 135g/km

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class as a used buy.

Here is a three door super-mini hatch back with a 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine delivering a hefty 142kW/280Nm output through the electronically modulated front wheels.To say it has some get up and go out of the blocks is an understatement.Not as wild a ride as say a Subaru WRX or similar hot-rod , the Benz Turbo turns a 0-100km sprint in 7.5 seconds but it feels fast due to all that torque at low to medium engine speeds. The Turbo's relatively light weight also adds to the sporty feel.The test vehicle was equipped with a CVT automatic transmission called Autotronic which accentuated the roller skate analogy. There is no buttoning off when you push the throttle, just a seamless headlong rush of strong acceleration, no gear changes, no stumbles.See a gap in traffic and bang, you're there.Need to get out of the way of a 62 tonner on the freeway, not a problem.This is the ultimate A-Class available in Australia with plenty of luxury and safety and is pretty good buying at $44,400 for the six speed manual. The CVT is extra but worth it for driving ease, performance and economy.It offers a sequential shift mode with seven "steps" or gears.It drinks premium unleaded but not much averaging around 8.0-litres/100km in mixed driving.The three door body looks sporty in this guise with chunky 17in alloys and deeper bumpers with dual tail pipes poking out the rear.It's equipped to the Benz Avantgarde standard which brings a swag of goodies and a funky interior including metal pedals.The gorgeous deep maroon test vehicle featured a check upholstery and metal insert accents inside along with sophisticated aircon, steering wheel controls, cruise and a cool sounding audio system.Ancillaries are electrically operated.The three door body can accommodate five in relative comfort thanks to the clever design of the A-Class. You sit fairly high which aids access and gives good all round visibility.The rear seat folds to expand luggage space which hides a full size spare under the floor.Handling dynamics are impressive as the Turbo is screwed down firmly and has sharp steering. The brakes are excellent. A special rear suspension system was developed for the car and the dampers are adaptive - change according to driving conditions.Ride is firmer than other A-Classes but you expect that in a sporty number like this.Despite its size, the Turbo has a five star NCAP crash rating.It's a practical size offering more room than expected inside and easily fits in small parking spaces and the garage.Welcome to the future.