2013 Mercedes-Benz A200 Reviews

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

For years, tuning house AMG has been fitting large, loud V8s into Mercedes and turning swanky buyers into tyre-shredding louts.

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

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz Australia wants to compete in the affordable small-car market in this country. Well, in the top end of the affordable market - you wouldn't expect the iconic German luxury marque wanting to be down amongst the cut-throat entry-level Asian cars.This small Mercedes-Benz will appeal to the young and the young at heart. A combination of style and image means that something like 1000 Aussie buyers have already shown a serious interest in it, an interest likely to result in many names on dotted lines. If you’re halfway interested it might be an idea to get in touch with your local Mercedes dealer soon to avoid a waiting list.In September an extra-hot A45 AMG will be introduced. The ’45’ doesn’t stand for the engine size but to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of AMG, the hot ‘tuning’ arm of the Mercedes-Benz group. Expect a price tag in the vicinity of $80,000.We attended the global launch of the A-Class in Europe midway through last year. Now the car has made it downunder - and has a price list starting at just $35,600 plus on-roads for the A 180.Despite that low price, for its upmarket class that is, the Mercedes A-Class is certainly not a stripped down special aimed at pulling customers into the showroom in the hope of selling them.Every model in the range has alloy wheels, cruise control, sports seats, a trip computer, a minimum of six speakers in the audio system, active park assist and a reversing camera, and an electric parking brake.The A-Class is almost an iPhone on wheels with the way it lets you communicate and/or entertain its occupants. Expect the features to become available on the bigger Benz models soon, but the A-Class has them first.All are automatics, using a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. Power comes from a choice of turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines. The petrol is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit in two stages of tune; producing 90 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque in the A 180, and 115 kW / 250 Nm in the A 200.The A 200 diesel’s peak figures are 100 kW and 300 Nm.We reported on the A 250 Sport two weeks ago on a separate launch. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has 155 kW and 350 Nm.The third-generation A-Class has moved in a completely new direction – from being quirky at its 1997 launch to becoming a leading-edge contender for top marks in the automotive fashion scene.New Mercedes A-Class will sell on style alone. Just look at the bold front that carries more than passing styling cues to the high-performance AMG Gullwing SLS and Roadster. Then admire the way the style lines on the doors swoop up boldly to almost join the taillights.The all-new A-Class isn’t just about style; under that shapely skin it has the features you just don’t see in this class. Because in luxury, connectivity and safety it’s as well equipped as its big brothers.Mercedes has fitted the A-Class with multiple crash avoidance items of the type previously only found in much more expensive Mercs. Lane departure, blind-spot and tailgating warnings are all offered. Should everything still go wrong, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has occupant protection systems to minimise harm to occupants.You are given the choice of multiple driving modes ranging from sedate to sporting. This isn’t really intended to be a sports hatch – at least not until you get into the A 250 – but if a keen driver turns on all the correct settings in the lower cost models it gives them plenty of driving pleasure.New Mercedes A-Class has a nicely balanced feel and almost gives the dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive car. Throttle control is easy and the steering feedback is excellent. Yet, even with the sports setting turned on the car didn’t lose a lot in comfort, even on some of the interesting backroad Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific chose for our initial drive program out of Melbourne.

The A200 ticks all the boxes in the prestige small hatch class by not having as many boxes to tick. This isn’t a battle about the quickest car - that’s the domain of the A250/A45 AMG duo. It is a battle about price and features, to the point where potential top-end Golf owners will cross-shop with the baby Benz.And as the newest car on the lot, Mercedes has the edge, especially when it also channels the tactile feedback of a BMW 1 Series with the build quality and interior refinement of Audi’s A3. Add to that the badge snobbery of owning a three-pointed star and getting stock may be the biggest problem Mercedes Benz has.VALUEThe A200 is predicted to be the volume seller at a starting price of $40,900. The car is fitted with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine that hits 100km/h 8.3 seconds after stomping the accelerator and comes with Bluetooth streaming, a reversing camera, self-parking software, cruise control, auto lights and wipers and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.Audi’s A3 1.4TFSI is slightly dearer at $41,200; Beemer’s 116i is slightly cheaper at $39,690. Neither of these is as quick or fitted with as much standard gear.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is good without being sensational. It uses 5.8L/100km to put it on a par with the Audi and BMW powerplants and the dual-clutch auto rolls through the gears with silicon smoothness. It is inside where Mercedes takes the lead.Self-parking software is standard as is a reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors. There are a range of “packs”, the dearest being a Command set-up that adds a bigger touchscreen with satnav, voice control and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and digital radio.DESIGNChasing younger buyers needs a fresh approach and Mercedes has gone to town on the design of the A-Class.  It’s a stylish car that will earn looks in traffic, especially for the early adopters.The high sill line means young kids won’t get to see much in the back and the C-pillars are chunky enough to warrant a second glance in the mirrors before changing lanes. The interior channels SLS aspirations with the circular air vents and carbon-fibre weave across the dash and the switchgear is typically top end.SAFETYANCAP has yet to officially rate the A-class but the family oriented B-Class is based on the same platform and is the safety car the crash-test body has reviewed. Nine airbags are standard, along with a rear-end crash avoidance system, drowsiness detection software and the Pre-Safe setup that primes the car if it determines an accident is about to happen.DRIVINGTaut suspension gives the A200 a firmer ride than the Audi and big potholes will be felt in the cabin. That’s the trade-off for having feedback and roadholding to match the rear-drive BMW.  A full road test will be needed to see whether the compromise works in daily urban driving but given it’s aimed at younger buyers, I can’t see it being a deal-breaker.The seven-speed auto takes a second to fire up from standstill. Get going and it shifts gears with the speed of a Tour de France frontrunner, while the turbo engine provides the steroids to keep its nose in front of the competition.It’s no rocket but a low eight-second sprint time ensures it won’t disgrace itself against bigger capacity opponents. The 341-litre boot is good without being class-leading and will easily cope with a couple of bags or the weekly shopping.VERDICTThe new A-Class puts Mercedes-Benz on the front foot in the prestige compact hatch class. The firm ride suits the sporty look and the standard gear makes the Mercedes best in show for value.Mercedes-Benz A200Price: from $40,900Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale: N/AService interval: 12 months/25,000kmCrash rating: Not tested (five-star EuroNCAP)Safety: 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, TC, ESC, collision prevention assistEngine: 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder, 115kW/250NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, FWDDimensions: 4.29m (L), 1.78m (W), 1.43m (H)Weight: 1395kgThirst: 6.1L/100km (95RON), 141g/km CO2

Mercedes-Benz is about to take a club to Golf with the new, German made A-Class premium hatchback priced from around $36,000.It is one of five new buggies on the same new platform coming from Benz in the next two years. Some have front wheel drive, some drive all four wheels to get you out of the rough. A coupe and possibly two compact SUV variants are on the way.The baby Benz has a handicap advantage over Golf in standard equipment scoring a seven speed dual clutch ‘manumatic’ auto (DCT) across the range along with engine stop/start, self- park function  and nine air bags.Additionally, the crash preparation system Pre-safe is also included. A clever Apple- developed communications system that even chats to the driver is available as an option for about $2000.It makes A-Class into a virtual smart phone on wheels and includes 3D satnav with traffic information and allows seamless iPod or iPhone integration into the car. An Android version should be available when the A-Class arrives in Australia March 2013.THE RANGEWe’ll be getting turbo petrol models; the A180, A200 and A250 Sport and one turbo diesel; the A200CDi. Local cars will likely be available in two spec’ levels or alternatively, with locally developed feature-rich ‘packs.’ The 250 Sport will be highly specified as standard and is likely to come in at around $50,000 or about the same as an equivalently specified VW Golf GTi.THE ENGINESNew generation engines make their debut in the A-Class. The 180 and 200 petrol are 1.6-litres while the 250 is a 2.0-litre. Power outputs across the range go from 90-166kW while torque is rated between 200Nm-350Nm. A250 Sport has an overboost function to achieve and additional 11kW over the ‘normal’ output when in sport mode. The petrol engines are all direct injection with a new cam system called Camtronic that alters valve lift on the inlet side and also has cylinder cut-off for fuel savings.It’s the first time this system has been used in a production car. The A200 CDi is a 1.8 – again a new engine specifically developed for this new class of Benz and is good for 100kW/300Nm. All these engines pass the 2015 Euro 6 emissions regulations with extremely frugal fuel use (down into the mid 4.0 litre/100km range) and low carbon dioxide output.SAFETYDesigned from the outset to deliver a full five star level of crash protection, A-Class can be specified with a full suite of safety equipment from the Benz inventory including lane departure system, speed limit recognition and warning, Distronic radar cruise control and blind spot warning. All our local cars get the collision prevention system that takes control of braking in a potential crash situation if the driver doesn’t react and attention assist if you start to nod off behind the wheel.THE LOOKIn its metamorphosis from stunning concept to production car not that much changed with the A-Class. It has an aggressive frontal appearance, truncated rear and sculpted side panels that really command attention. Even the pointillist grille made it through to the Sport model while the others get a two bar diamond grille housing distinctive headlights and wild LED driving lights. It looks ‘the biz’ on the outside.INSIDEInterior styling marks a new trend for Benz with elements carried through from both the SLS and SL sports cars. It’s dominated by three metal ringed air vents atop the centre stack and a funky instrument console with metal face dials. The dash itself in Sport is something to behold with its carbon fibre finish.THE DRIVEWe got hold of the A200 petrol and diesel in Slovenia this week and also had a squirt in the A250 on a disused airfield marked out like a race track. You’d be happy with any of them especially their drive feel and the way they sit on the road. Benz has done a great job of engaging a driver’s senses in all dynamic aspects of the car especially the steering and ride. It feels almost predictive.A-Class will satisfy the enthusiast driver and then back up as a competent and easy to drive town hack. The DCT transmission is impressive with multiple modes available and quick changes up and down the range.  Noise levels are at a minimum partly because of the car’s Cd 0.27 aerodynamics. The Sport has strong power available at will and even sharper dynamics than the other cars as well as more purposeful looks and sound.But our pre-production test drive A250 Sports were a tad tardy off the line, something that will be addressed in the months before it goes on.Mercedes-Benz A-classPrice: from $36,000 (approx.)Safety: 5 starsEngine: 115kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol,155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 240kW turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre engine, 100kW 1.6-litre diesel engineTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 5.5l/100km, 6.4l/100km, 4.4l/100km 

Back in 1997 a moose that didn't exist gave Mercedes-Benz one heck of a publicity headache. The German carmaker's innovative new A-class compact model featured a 'sandwich floor' design that let engineers reduce overall length by tucking the engine under the front of the cabin.Problem was it also increased the A-class's height to the extent that the car could roll over when swerving in an emergency situation. A Swedish car magazine discovered this during its 'moose avoidance test'.Benz eventually rectified this dynamic flaw, but the damage was done. The A-class's undeniably innovative design was poleaxed by a moose that didn't exist. Fifteen years later, in a textbook example of 'if you can't beat 'em join 'em' Mercedes-Benz has completely redesigned the baby A-class along more conventional hatchback lines that it believes will have greater appeal with premium hatchback buyers in Australia and around the world.PRICES AND MODELSThe new A-class hatchback priced from $36,000 (approx.) is due in Australia in March 2013. Four/five-door front-drive models will be available initially.Top of the petrol range initially will be an A250 Sport, with a rorty 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and unique sports-tuned front suspension.Benz claims an impressive 6.6 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint, and an equally impressive fuel economy rating of 6.4l/100km. At just under $50k the A250 Sport won't be cheap though, especially when compared with the $42k VW Golf GTi.A high performance A45 AMG model will complete the five-door hatchback range in September 2013. Word is the first AMG version of an A-class will pack a 240kW, turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and employ an all-wheel drive system to get the power down. Expect to pay over $60,000 for this scorching sub-five-second hatchback. Just one diesel A-class will be offered, also badged an A200, and with an automatic transmission. Its 100kW 1.6-litre engine uses just 4.4-litres per 100km.SAFETYThe A-class's safety portfolio includes nine airbags and ESC in a safety-structure expected to deliver a five-star crash safety rating. All models will come with Benz's Pre-Safe collision avoidance system, Distronic radar cruise control, self-parking and Bluetooth connectivity. Benz would not confirm if a reversing camera would be standard across the range.DESIGNA-class development boss Rudiger Rutz says the move to a more conventional hatchback body was inevitable. "From the perspective of an engineer was interesting," he told CarsGuide, "but when you asked our customers what they liked of the old A-class, they don't mention the sandwich floor, or the underfloor engine placement.Yes, they mentioned the higher seating position, but the high body had some impact on driving dynamics."For those who want the high seating position we have the new B-class. For those who want a more conventional, sportier premium hatchback, this is the A-class for them." The new A-class is 16cm lower, yet there's no shortage of headroom front or rear for full-size adults. The new car is 39cm longer but most of this is because the engine is no longer tucked under the cabin floor. Even so, rear seat legroom is not a problem, and boot space of 341 litres is decent for this class of car.DRIVINGThe driving experience is chalk and cheese compared to the old model. CarsGuide sampled the A250 Sport, and A200 petrol and diesel models at the world launch in Slovenia earlier this week. All models pack a sporting dynamism the stodgy old A could never hope to match.The new A-class goes, steers and stops with a willingness and tactility that makes it lots of fun to drive both enthusiastically and sedately. The 155kW 2.0-litre petrol engine packs a vigorous punch, and has a rorty tone that's very un-Benz-like.Even the A200's 1.6-litre petrol engine, which most Australians are expected to buy, accelerates willingly from low speeds and shows plenty of pluck at pace. The 7-speed automatic can be a little slow to react to manual changes, but there's no criticising the smoothness of its gear changes.VERDICTQuestion marks remains over how the firm -- and it is very firm -- suspension tune of the European models we drove shod with 18inch tyres will translate to Australian surfaces. Despite that, this new A-class is a convincing premium sports hatch, and it should have little to fear from mooses, imaginary or otherwise.Mercedes-Benz A-classPrice: from $36,000 (approx.)Safety: 5 starsEngine: 115kW 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol,155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 240kW turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre engine, 100kW 1.6-litre diesel engineTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 5.5l/100km, 6.4l/100km, 4.4l/100km