Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Overview

The fourth generation W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is Stuttgart’s latest premium entry level 5-door hatchback. Based on the Modular Front Architecture2 (MFA2) platform, the W177 has grown significantly compared to its predecessor, sporting an all-new interior and exterior styling based on Mercedes’s ‘Sensual Purity’ design philosophy.

The premium hatchback is available in the base A 200 Progressive Line, powered by a measly 1.3 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged mill, and the top of the range A 250 AMG Line, paired to a more powerful 2.0 litre unit. Prices starts from RM 227,888 and RM 263,888 respectively and are available in CBU form only.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Exterior

The ‘Baby Merc’ is wearing a more grown-up front end that no doubt draws its inspiration from the menacing Mercedes-Benz CLS. Now sporting a shark-like pointy front nose with a more prominent front grille, punctuated by the massive Three-Pointed-Star emblem.

The narrow swept-back headlamp design and the aggressively styled air-intakes serve to add to the visual width of the car. The ‘Sensual purity’ design philosophy is further demonstrated by the smooth, streamlined bonnet design and a neat, up-sweeping character line along the sides.

The top of the range AMG Line package adds on a more aggressive bumper designs, featuring aerodynamics air-intake fins up front and diffuser-like trim at the rear, radiator grille with chrome diamond pins, deeper side skirts, larger cross-drilled front brake discs and a set of 18-inch AMG-badged 5-spoke alloys. The W177 Mercedes-Benz A Class is 127 mm longer, 16 mm wider and 7 mm taller than its predecessor. Wheelbase has grown by 30 mm too and weighs in at 1,455 kg. 

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Interior

The interior is perhaps where the Mercedes-Benz A-Class stands out amongst its competitors. Inspired by the higher end cars in Mercedes-Benz’s own line up like the W222 S-Class, the interior design of the entry level ‘baby merc’ is unlike any other cars in its class.

Smooth transitions between instrument panel, centre console and door trims create a wraparound effect which Mercedes-Benz claims to ‘hug’ its occupant. An airliner-style ‘glass-cockpit’ layout features not one, but two floating 10.25-inch high-resolution flatscreen displays spanning across half the dashboard, operated using the steering wheel, console mounted touchpad or simply by touchscreen.

The tiered dashboard design creates a luxury lounge-like laid-back ambiance while the jet-turbine-inspired round air vents are another nod to the aviation world. Gloss-black inlays around the central air vents as well as on the centre console elevates the premiumness of the interior but could prove to be a nightmare as they attract fingerprints.

A 200 Progressive line comes with black open pore linden wood trim and Artico faux leather upholstery, while the A 250 AMG Line gets upgraded sports seats with integrated headrests, Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, brushed aluminium decor and Artico and Dinamica microfibre seat trim. 

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Features

As standard, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes equipped with welcoming features like keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with memory and lumbar adjustment. Also included are auto-dimming and auto-folding mirrors, LED High Performance headlights with auto high beam, cruise control, 64-colour ambient lighting, illuminated door sill plates and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) not only allows you to configure the display styles on the instrument cluster and the multimedia system display, it also adapts the ambient lighting to your desired mood, all controlled using the Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. Mercedes’s voice command system now features an overhauled LINGUATRONIC language control system which understands your command more intuitively by machine-learning your accents or a more indirect speech. 

It controls almost everything from checking the temperature to setting up your navigation system, activated by a simple phrase of ‘Hey Mercedes’. In terms of safety, both variants get seven airbags, Active Brake Assist (autonomous emergency braking), tyre pressure monitoring system and Active Parking Assist with a reverse camera.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Powertrain Performance

Under the bonnet, the base A 200 now comes with a smaller 1.33 litre M282 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, co-developed with Renault. It develops 165 PS at 5,500 RPM and 250 Nm of torque from 1,620 to 4,000 RPM. Century sprint is completed in 8.0 seconds flat before reaching a top speed of 225 km/h.

Powering the A 250 is a revised M260 version of the existing 2.0 litre 4-cylinder mill, featured also on the C118 CLA250. It churns out 227 PS at 5,500 RPM and 350 Nm between 1,800 to 4,000 RPM. 0-100 km/h in dealt with in just 6.2 seconds and managing a top speed of an electronically limited 250 km/h. The base A 200 is paired to a new Getrag 7-speed wet dual clutch transmission while the higher performance A 250 is paired to a revised version of Mercedes’ own dual clutch transmission (wet).

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Fuel Consumption

Mercedes claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.2 L/100 Km for the A 200 and 6.2L/100 Km for the thirstier 2.0 L mill on the A 250.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Ride Comfort

Both models ride on comfort suspension, with passive dampers and a 15 mm lower ride height than standard. The A 250 comes fitted with the more sophisticated multilink rear suspension while the A 200 receives a simpler and more comfort-oriented torsion beam setup. Direct-steer system is also available to enhance the overall driving experience. 

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class on the class of its own when it comes to interior design. With design elements inspired by the higher end luxury Mercedes-Benz, the entry level ‘Baby Merc’ certainly impresses not only in terms of design, but also quality. While it looks and feels expensive, the ride is not as plush as expected and it is not as dynamically inclined as, say, a Ford Focus. But if you can make do with the cramped rear seats and a run-of-the-mill ride and handling, few other premium hatchbacks on the market can offer what the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has got to offer.