Is the Mercedes A-Class Worthy of the Three-Pointed Star? We Review Benz’s New Entry-Level Sedan

The 1st-technology Mercedes-Benz A-Class built its debut in 1997, but it only now will come to the U.S. and Canada in its fourth technology, as the least expensive entry position into the 3-pointed star.

In prior iterations, Mercedes bought a tiny odd in the entry-amount room with the B-Course and CLA hatchbacks. Not so in the A 220, a handsome subcompact sedan that seats 5 and hides its entrance-travel proportions effectively. “Far more experienced, far more described, with a lot significantly less sag in the surfacing than the prior vehicle, the new A-Course appears to be like like a a lot far more highly-priced vehicle than its predecessor,” intercontinental bureau main Angus MacKenzie stated.

The 2020 A-Course will come in two major flavors: the A 220 and A 35 AMG. Entrance-travel A 220s commence at $33,495, with all-wheel-travel types introducing $two,00 to the sticker. The $45,00 AMG variant at is predicted in the spring of 2020, with revised aerodynamic bits, a tuned-up model of the two.-liter turbo-4 offering 302 horsepower and 295-lb-ft of torque, and goodies like a torque-splitting all-wheel-travel technique and start command.

But ahead of we get carried absent, let us check out out the foundation design. Benz has tried using incredibly tough to have flagship S-Course design all over its complete products line and does an awesome position inside of the A 220. There are twin-shade touchscreens for the instrument cluster, and the infotainment technique is loaded with crisp graphics and educational shows. Temper lights, laser-drilled Burmester-branded speaker grilles, even doorway-mounted seat controls, all surrounded by metallic accents and leather-based trim, really feel incredibly a lot “on manufacturer,” at minimum at 1st look.

From a general performance standpoint, our A 220 examination car comported by itself effectively at the examination keep track of. Our editors appreciated its linear electric power shipping and delivery, usually sleek upshifts, and sporty, tail-satisfied managing. “It is a remarkably pleasurable tiny bugger on the managing keep track of,” technological director Frank Markus stated, noting the A 220’s very good human body command.

But on the lumps and ruts of serious-earth streets, the A 220 fell aside. Each and every editor observed its tough, noisy, non-top quality trip. “Isolation from coarse pavement is just Okay, but&#x2014holy moly&#x2014damaged/choppy pavement is a serious trouble, “highway examination editor Chris Walton stated. “There is so tiny isolation from the highway, even the floorpan was vibrating.”

The far more time used with the vehicle, the far more weaknesses had been disclosed. “When you get previous all the Mercedes jewellery, you commence to detect wherever expenditures have been lower, notably under eye amount, wherever tough plastic is just about everywhere,” visitor decide Chris Theodore stated. “Lesser cars and trucks use better-good quality products&#x2014but I question the focus on buyer will detect the corner-reducing.”

Our editors undoubtedly did. Govt editor Mark Rechtin was not amazed by the slim sheetmetal and flimsy doorway manage really feel and identified as the A 220 an “ersatz Mercedes that feels like it should really have a Kirkland label on it.” Massaging seats are exceptional at this rate position, but the A 220’s failed to produce a lot in that way. Markus stated it “would seem to just elevate and decreased the entrance of the seat, press the lumbar in and out a tiny, and do a slight again-and-forth with the again relaxation.” &#xA0He also took concern with the seem technique. “This lower-fee Burmester seem technique pales in comparison with the comprehensive-blown techniques in the GT, E-, and S-Course,” he stated.

It is truly worth noting, the A 220’s focus on viewers among the our judges was prepared to glimpse previous these foibles. “It is actually not negative,” aspirational millennial and MotorTrend en Espa&#xF1ol controlling editor Miguel Cortina stated.&#xA0″There is a ton of tire sounds and other NVH troubles, but other than that, this is a quite powerful products. It has a youth enchantment the leather-based is tender, there are several places with tough plastics, you happen to be finding a fantastic design and style inside of and outside the house with air vents that gentle up&#x2014Vegas night time-club design!”

Visitor decide Ian Callum agrees: “Mercedes will offer just about every 1 they can make.” But at what price?

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