Mercedes-Benz A200: $ 50,000 small hatch reviewed

Value

It could be the size of a Toyota Corolla but the new A-Clbad hatch comes with a Mercedes price: $ 52,500 drive-away before options or metallic paint are added.

Standard fare includes a sensor key with push button start, leather seats, cabin mood lighting, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, digital radio and built-in navigation, and the awesome high-resolution widescreen dash display similar to those in the E-Clbad and S-Clbad limousines.

Super bright LED headlights with automatic blanking of a traffic, a sunroof panorama and a 360-degree view camera are bundled in a $ 2490 option pack. Rear privacy glbad, 18-inch five-spoke alloys, sports grille and black mirror caps add $ 1490. Service intervals are 12 months / 25,000km. Routine maintenance over three years is high at $ 2480, the first service is $ 496 and the next two year is $ 992. Warranty is three years / unlimited km.

Comfort

From the driver's seat you could be forgiven for thinking you were sitting in a $ 200,000 car.

Adjustable steering and seating positions will accommodate drivers of most shapes and sizes. It's bigger inside than the sleek looks suggest.

One half of the giant wide-screen – infotainment, left of the cluster instrument – is now a high resolution touch screen for added convenience. You could be forgiven for thinking in the company's flagship limo.

Mercedes' new cabin control module is a small touchpad with a hump on which to rest your wrist.

Unfortunately, with other touchpads in cars, it's a good thing to use with some practice.

Mercedes' previous infotainment controller – a large dial – was better in my opinion.

Small "tiles" on the steering wheel also have a touch or swipe pad, but they're only marginally better than the center console touchpad.

Annoyingly, the "favorites" display window for radio stations – accessed via controls on the steering wheel and the easiest way to skip stations given the central fussy touchpad – needs to be reset each time the car starts.

On the road to wireless charging, even when the device is in a case.

And an awesome 10-speaker premium audio – including a subwoofer – is standard.

Safety

Mercedes has loaded the A200 with almost everything. Nine airbags protect occupants should the worst happen but there is plenty to prevent a biff in the first place.

Autonomous emergency braking is standard, accompanied by blind zone warning, lane-keeping attendance and speed sign recognition, which works surprisingly well.

AEB are not.

Driving

The A200 has plenty of zip for a relatively small 1.3-liter turbo-four-cylinder but it's a challenge to get close to the fuel-rating label. We averaged a respectable 8L-9L / 100km. It insists on 95 RON premium unleaded.

The twin-clutch auto is smoother than before, but not as intuitive as the same type of transmission in the latest VW Golf.

The turning circle is incredibly tight, handy for U-turns in narrow streets. And the steering itself is light and precise on the move.

The new A-Clbad corners with confidence, whether in a roundabout or a winding road, but the run-flat tires make the suspension feel a tough stiff over bumps. For example, it does not absorb speed bumps with the same comfort as a car.

alternatives

BMW 1 Series, from $ 39,990

BMW's sporty hatchback has had a facelift recently. Prices start at $ 10,000 less than the Mercedes but the BMW equivalent is closer at $ 46,990. It's a better drive.

Audi A3, from $ 36,200

The Audi A3 is more understated than the BMW and the Benz but it has a more practical and practical interior. The equivalent A3 starts from $ 46,400. The suspension is a bit more supple than the BMW and the Benz.

VW Golf, from $ 26,490

The price of the Mercedes but for $ 50,000 you can get a high performance Golf with the works.

Verdict

3/5

Mercedes deserves kudos to bring its top-end technology to the clbad. It'll feel like you're sitting in a limousine – until you hit a bump.

Mercedes-Benz A200

Price: From $ 52,500 drive-away

Engine: 1.3-liter 4-cyl turbo, 120kW / 250Nm

Safety: 5 stars, 9 airbags, AEB, lane-keeping badistance, blind zone warning, front exit warning, speed sign recognition

Thirst: 5.7L / 100km (claimed)

Originally published as Small hatch feels like a $ 200k limo