The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has always been positioned as the entry point to the prestigious Mercedes brand, sitting above only the Smart lineup. This new iteration aims to redefine the entry-level luxury hatchback. Let’s dive into a week-long review of the Mercedes A200 to see if it lives up to the Mercedes badge and whether it’s a worthy contender in its class.
First Impressions: Design and Interior
Upon arrival, the Mercedes A200 immediately impresses with its updated aesthetics. It’s a significant step forward from the previous generation, which some criticized for a somewhat awkward front end and busy side lines. This model boasts a smoother, more refined exterior. The interior continues this trend, initially appearing luxurious and high-tech. However, the initial tactile experience reveals a mixed bag. The engine start button feels surprisingly cheap to the touch, contrasting sharply with the column stalks. These stalks, controlling indicators, wipers, and gear selection for the dual-clutch transmission, offer a premium, weighty action but look visually underwhelming and budget-oriented. This new stalk design is reportedly exclusive to the A-Class and B-Class range, based on the MFA2 platform, hopefully not making its way into larger, more expensive Mercedes models. Overall, the Mercedes A200 presents itself as a well-proportioned, Golf-sized hatchback, although the questionable “A200” badge, considering its actual engine displacement, raises an eyebrow. Mercedes labels it as a 1.4-liter, but the true engine capacity is 1332cc, technically making it a 1.3-liter – a point of contention regarding truth in labeling.
High-Tech Interior and MBUX System
The centerpiece of the Mercedes A200’s interior is undoubtedly the expansive widescreen display. Stretching across the driver’s side and into the center console, it houses the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system, reminiscent of a large, integrated iPad. This is Mercedes’ new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system, known for its sharp graphics and modern interface. Users can interact with the system via a touchpad located where a traditional gear lever would be, or directly through touch inputs on the screen. This dual-input approach suggests Mercedes may have been undecided on the optimal control method, opting to include both. The MBUX system generally functions smoothly. The touchpad is a preferred method for many, offering functionalities beyond navigation, including, humorously, the ability to draw on its surface. The digital instrument cluster offers customizable display styles, mostly emulating traditional analog gauges. While functional, this approach feels somewhat uninspired given the potential for digital innovation. A minimalist display option offers a more contemporary feel, but its starkness may feel incomplete to some. The standard gauge displays are well-executed with subtle but pleasing design elements, such as the speedometer numerals slightly enlarging as the virtual needle approaches them.
However, the ergonomic layout of physical controls presents some less positive aspects. Older Mercedes models traditionally positioned the starter button below the gear selector stalk and the electronic parking brake release beneath that – a logical and intuitive linear arrangement. In the A200, the starter button has been relocated to the opposite side of the steering wheel, and the parking brake button is now small and feels awkwardly oriented. While some automakers may have experimented with unconventional control layouts, Mercedes was once relied upon for getting these fundamental ergonomic aspects right. This deviation in the A200 is a disappointing step away from that established strength.
Performance and Handling of the A200
Despite the badge fib – the A200 moniker for a 1.3-liter engine – the car’s performance is surprisingly adequate. The engine delivers sufficient power for daily driving, and the handling is commendably nimble. The steering is light yet accurate, contributing to a sense of agility. Most Mercedes A-Class models come equipped with a torsion beam rear axle, but the AMG Line A200 variant, like the one tested, features a multi-link rear suspension, potentially enhancing handling capabilities. However, the ride quality is a notable drawback. The suspension exhibits a firmness that compromises comfort, and it also generates noticeable noise, detracting from the overall premium feel of the vehicle and underscoring the ride harshness. For a vehicle intended for family use, the suspension setup leans towards being excessively firm.
Practicality and Family Friendliness
Testing the Mercedes A200’s practicality involved a short family trip. The rear seats comfortably accommodated two bulky child seats without compromising front passenger space, a testament to its efficient packaging. Furthermore, the boot space proved sufficient for the luggage and essentials of a family with young children, including a substantial amount of baby supplies. This demonstrates the A-Class’s impressive spaciousness for its segment. The MBUX system also incorporates a clever augmented reality feature for navigation. When approaching a turn or junction, the system uses a front-facing camera to display a live video feed of the road ahead on the central screen, overlaying directional arrows onto this image. This innovative feature is helpful, although the visibility of the arrows can be diminished in bright or visually complex environments. Nevertheless, it’s a forward-thinking technological addition that enhances the navigation experience.
Driving Dynamics and Gearbox Behavior
At motorway speeds, the A200’s double-clutch gearbox exhibits a tendency to frequently shift between 6th and 7th gear. While it will engage top gear for cruising, even slight accelerator inputs prompt a downshift for increased power, followed by an upshift once a constant speed is resumed, creating a somewhat restless gear-shifting pattern. This behavior can become mildly irritating during highway driving. Manual gear selection via steering wheel paddles is an option, but engaging with paddles on routine motorway journeys is hardly ideal. Across various driving conditions, the gearbox prioritizes upshifting to higher gears as quickly as possible, seemingly programmed for maximum fuel efficiency. At lower speeds, this contributes to a sensation of effortless coasting but may also necessitate slightly increased braking. Fuel economy, as a result of this gearbox strategy, does appear to be a positive aspect.
MBUX Voice Assistant Quirks
The MBUX system includes a voice assistant, akin to a German-accented Alexa. Activated by saying “Hey Mercedes,” it’s designed to respond to voice commands. An unintentional activation occurred when a similar-sounding phrase was spoken, prompting the assistant to engage and inquire about assistance. However, dismissing the assistant proved somewhat persistent, requiring touchpad input to fully deactivate the listening graphic that remained on screen. Subsequent deliberate attempts to utilize the voice assistant for tasks like temperature adjustment and radio tuning yielded limited success, suggesting its functionality may be somewhat underdeveloped or unreliable. Its primary function, at least in this experience, seemed to be intruding on conversations rather than providing genuinely helpful assistance.
Ride Comfort and Seat Discomfort
After a week of driving, the A200’s ride comfort issues extend beyond just firmness. The seats themselves are surprisingly uncomfortable, lacking the plushness typically associated with Mercedes-Benz. This is unexpected, as seat comfort is usually a Mercedes strong suit. Similarly, the overall refinement expected of a Mercedes, including engine smoothness, suspension quietness, and premium-feeling controls, is not fully realized in the A-Class. This is understandable to some extent, given its entry-level positioning within the Mercedes range. However, those familiar with larger, more luxurious Mercedes models may perceive a sense of underlying engineering compromises in the A-Class, resulting in a less substantial and refined feel.
Final Verdict: A Disappointing Entry Point?
As the week concludes and the Mercedes A-Class is returned, the overall impression is one of disappointment. Certain aspects, like the striking widescreen display and general interior design, are genuinely impressive. However, significant drawbacks, including the firm ride, lack of refinement, and a general sense of being a diluted Mercedes experience, overshadow the positives. This is particularly concerning when considering the price. The base price of the Mercedes A200 is close to £29,000. The test vehicle, equipped with option packs including heated seats, keyless locking, and augmented reality navigation, pushes the on-the-road price to £31,710. This price point is substantial and, frankly, feels excessive. For the same money, a more compelling option like a five-door Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance with a DSG gearbox is available, and arguably, a more appealing choice overall.
Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line Specifications:
- Engine: 1.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
- Horsepower: 161 hp
- 0-62 mph: 8 seconds
- Top Speed: 139 mph
- Starting Price (without options): £28,700
