Mercedes A-Class, presentation and test in Burgos (I)

A week ago, the new Mercedes A-Class went on sale , a model that embodies the design changes the brand is undergoing. The revamped A-Class represents a radical design shift, aiming to attract a younger audience and, above all, to compete with the BMW 1 Series and the Audi A3.

There's no doubt this newcomer is making a strong impression, and to get to know it a little better, we took the wheel for two days at its national launch near Burgos. Our first impressions have been very positive; this baby Mercedes is surprising.

The commitment to the premium compact segment

Historically, Mercedes has invested heavily in its small models , and quite successfully in the past. One of its first ventures was the Mercedes 190, a sales success for the German firm. And the A-Class itself has enjoyed considerable success in the market since its launch.

However, the age and target audience for their models were very different from what they are aiming for now. The brand has provided an illustrative statistic about its buyers, stating that the average age of a first-generation A-Class owner is 51.

With the arrival of this new model, things change radically, combining several key elements. On the one hand, its design stands out, both exterior and interior. The interior quality is surprisingly high, and all of this is complemented by a range of engines, including the A250 gasoline engine with up to 211 hp (and more powerful engines are on the way). Furthermore, the financing and maintenance campaign for the A-Class is aggressive, which we will discuss in detail in the second part of this review.

Exterior design: radical change and sportiness as a premise

Many of the A-Class models seen in the photos have the AMG package , which gives them that striking sporty exterior. Even without this optional equipment, the A-Class looks imposing.

The front end is dominated by the large Mercedes star and sharp, angular lines, conveying personality and sportiness. Now, we see a car with a more sedan-like profile and a lower profile than the previous generation. The standard bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are also noteworthy.

Along the side, the lines again define a sporty design, culminating in a rear end where the LED taillights and dual chrome exhaust outlets ( AMG or Urban Package ) stand out. It comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels (from the Style Package ).

The red model in the photos has the Night Package , which adds contrasting black mirrors and AMG wheels, while the white model has the AMG Package , easily recognizable by its larger bumpers and side air intakes in the rear bumper. The only features not included as standard in the exterior design are the fog lights and the dual rear exhaust outlets.

Interior design: sporty and quality

When we move inside, we find a low driving position , a very well-executed design, and some elements inherited from the B-Class. The air vents stand out, which are becoming a hallmark of the brand, as does the sound system screen (which comes standard, along with Bluetooth and a USB port).

Virtually all the dashboard elements are made of soft-touch or pleasant-to-the-touch plastics, denoting high quality. Even the door panels have a good finish. However, the center console could be improved, and we don't understand why this element was neglected. It's made of hard plastic with a really poor feel, a detail that detracts from an otherwise excellent finish.

The seats will surely catch your eye as well, and they are also standard; they are another element of the Style Pack (in Spain this pack comes as standard), seats that complete the sporty image of the A-Class interior, in addition to being comfortable and supporting the body well.

In the rear seats, we again find sporty seats and a generally high-quality finish. As for space, it's a comfortable ride. It's not a sedan or a C-Class, but it offers plenty of legroom. However, if you're tall, headroom is a bit limited due to the design.

In the next part of this first look, we'll discuss the equipment and prices, as well as the A180 CDI, A200 CDI, and A250 that we were able to test at the launch. We can already tell you that, dynamically, it handles beautifully!

Photos | Diego G. Moreira