Review: Mercedes A-class Is Entry-level Luxury Done Right

Review: Mercedes A-class Is Entry-level Luxury Done Right

In these times of big and tall utility vehicles dominating the roads, it seems incongruous that Mercedes-Benz would introduce a small sedan (and hatchback) to North America. But where there鈥檚 a will and a niche to be filled, the automaker appears ready to broaden its appeal to first-time buyers and brand-switchers in every way possible. 5M field house in Langford, largest in B.C. The A-class label has been around for some time, except on our shores. Until now, the CLA class was the starting-point passenger car for buyers of modest means. Although Mercedes-Benz considers it a 鈥渃oupe,鈥?the low-slung fastback 鈥?seemingly patterned after the larger and pricier CLS class 鈥?is tight on space, especially for adults hunched over in the back seat. That鈥檚 less of a problem with the made-in-Mexico A class. The car鈥檚 tall roofline, which extends to the trunk, results in easier rear-door entry and exit, and more than adequate rear-seat headroom.

A nearly four-centimetre gain in distance between the front and rear wheels compared with the CLA means more legroom. Not to be overlooked is the A class鈥檚 trunk volume that beats the CLA by more than 15 per cent and can be further increased by folding the 40/20/40 seatback. Note that the CLA is longer overall and both cars will be in dealer showrooms at the same time (the A class does not replace the CLA). Concurrent with the sedan鈥檚 arrival, an A-class hatchback version is also available globally, and in Canada. The A-class sedan鈥檚 overall design, which emphasizes function over form, isn鈥檛 as svelte as the CLA鈥檚, but the compact sedan still projects a measure of sportiness. In particular, the hunkered-down aerodynamic nose and large air intakes, plus the rear spoiler (integrated with the trunk lid) and chromed dual exhaust tips, add character to an otherwise restrained shape. The interior emphasizes premium-style seating and trim along with an advanced dashboard design.

The standard version comes with dual 18-centimetre touchscreens, while twin 26-centimetre screens are optional. Each can be customized in a number of ways, but selecting the larger ones gets you ambient dashboard lighting with 64 hues to choose from. That Mercedes-Benz is making this and other high-tech equipment available in its low-priced model is an unexpected, but welcome surprise. Whatever screen set you choose, a quintet of large, round fresh-air vents in the dash stand ready to expel as much hot or chilled air as you鈥檙e ever likely to need. The A220-designated A class is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that puts out 188 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The turbo is connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. 37,100 base cost (which includes destination charges). At that price point you get the expected power-controlled features plus a panoramic sunroof, floor-console touchpad and a voice-controlled command system for the dual-zone climate control and infotainment systems, the latter referred to as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). Its artificial-intelligence capability can 鈥渓earn鈥?your driving habits (favourite routes, for example) and can respond to a wide range of information requests. Along with AWD and the larger touchscreen, the lengthy list of options includes navigation, Burmester-brand premium sound package, hands-free trunk access, multi-adjustable heated front seats, and a head-up information display. Again, most of these features are normally the property of more luxurious automobiles, but adding them to the A class will boost the price far beyond the entry-point range.

The line-up鈥檚 biggest seller will be powered by a mere 1.3-litre engine, after all. Plus the suspension is fixed and tuned for comfort rather than an adaptive set-up, and there's no booming exhaust or trick LSD either. And so it comes as hugely pleasant surprise when the sedan we鈥檙e piloting hunkers down on twisting tarmac, sitting ruler-flat through corners and showing a real willingness to be pushed and pushed. Selecting Sport adds a little weight to the steering and tweaks the ESP settings, and left our test car feeling surprisingly agile through the corners, its Pirelli tyres clinging to the tarmac without so much as a squeak or squeal. Only the A220 was available at launch, which is not an engine we鈥檙e getting in Australia. So it acted as a guide more than an exact test. Still, it proved to be a handy little unit, happy to hum along at 120km/h on the freeway, and serving up ample, if not sports car-like, power. But the real party trick is the cabin tech. And I don鈥檛 think you鈥檒l get sick of showing off the 鈥淗ey Mercedes鈥?functions in a hurry.

We as a whole know airbags spare lives and keeping in mind that things like independent crisis braking are getting features airbags are imperative for inhabitant security. Be that as it may, how does an airbag work? Airbags are a crucial bit of car wellbeing gear and it's difficult to envision a cutting edge vehicle being discharged without an entire swag of the things dissipated around the lodge. However, that wasn't generally the situation. Who designed the airbag? Harsh licenses for an airbag discharged after contact with the vehicle's guard go back to the 1950s, yet it wasn't until US specialist, Allan Breed made a sensor and security framework that the airbag was conceived. It was Mercedes-Benz that initially presented the airbag, correct? Some pushed the utilization of airbags rather than safety belts however safety belt as a compulsory wellbeing thing won out the world over and smothered improvement of the airbag.