We test the new Mercedes Clase A 2018: a compact with a star

We got behind the wheel of both versions of the new Mercedes Clase A that are already on sale in Spain, the A 180d and the A 200, and confirmed what we already expected: the new compact lives up to the star on its front grille.

After describing in depth all the novelties brought by the Mercedes Clase A 2018, and discussing the prices and equipment of the Clase A for Spain, the time has come to take the wheel in a first contact. And we have done so with the two versions on sale of the new Mercedes Clase A 2018: the A 180 d with the revised 1.5 diesel engine, and the A 200 with the new 1.4 petrol.

The first news is not good if you are looking for a premium compact and are short on budget. The thing is that the Mercedes Clase A, for now, has a high starting price compared with two of its most direct rivals, the BMW Serie 1 and the Audi A3 Sportback. While you can find the latter from around 27,000 euros with a diesel engine of around 115 CV, the A 180 d starts at 32,700, and the A 200 from 31,400 euros. Partly, this higher price is justified by Mercedes’s decision to launch the Clase A with the well-equipped Progressive line; we will talk about the equipment later. But also because, for now, the A 180 d is offered only with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which as an option costs 2,170 euros. A manual diesel version will arrive later, priced at 30,600 euros, and the option of an automatic gearbox for the petrol.

Clase A 2018 prices

• Mercedes A 200: 31,400 euros
• Mercedes A 200 7G-DCT: 33,650 euros
• Mercedes A 180 d 7G-DCT: 32,700 euros

https://youtu.be/N5LvTz6hgnE

The Clase A inside: quantity and quality

Pending a look at a less loaded version with the MBUX multimedia system in its basic version (it always has two 7-inch screens at minimum, and can carry the central unit of 10.25, or two of this size in the top version), the Clase A gives a sense of higher quality than the previous generation, both visually and in fit, finish and attention to detail.

Something is also gained in interior space, mainly in width in the front and rear seats; it is not decisive, and it remains in line with its rivals. Boot capacity increases by 30 litres, and it offers a wider loading opening and more regular shapes.

But what is truly new in the Clase A is the aforementioned MBUX multimedia system and its integration into the design. Personally I prefer the screens integrated into the dashboard over the “floating” design used by Mercedes on the Clase A (not so on other higher models also with two screens), but there is no denying that the result is spectacular. That said, I will warn you now that it requires some adaptation until you discover all the possibilities and learn how to use it. At first it seems complicated and so much graphics and information can be overwhelming. But with use, you quickly discover that everything has a reason and is well thought out, and that it is easier than it seems at first, especially for the most “tech-addicted”.

Well done by Mercedes for not leaving everything to touch control, keeping a group of controls for the climate system below the main screen. From here, the possibilities are enormous. For the first time in the brand the multimedia screen is touch-sensitive, but it is best left for the front passenger, as from the driving position it is not easy to reach all its corners.

MBUX multimedia system image gallery

For that, the driver has a “touchpad” (a touch surface) between the seats, and two groups of buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, combining normal buttons with mini touch buttons; from the left side of the wheel all the functions of the left screen are managed, and from the right side, those of the multimedia screen. They work very well, especially the central touchpad, and they have haptic feedback that helps you move through the menus and know when you have confirmed an option, although I still find controls with rotary knobs more practical. To top it off, there is also voice control, one that recognises and interprets everyday language phrases, so there is no need to learn commands. Tell the Clase A “I’m cold”, and it will raise the temperature in the cabin. Tell it “I’m hungry”, and it will recommend nearby restaurants. No more entering addresses for the navigator or phone numbers by hand.

https://youtu.be/5-OCn-2nI0c

As you can see in the video and the image gallery, the possibilities are impressive. You can customise the instrumentation to your liking, to the point of choosing what information you want to see in each display; the graphics are of very high quality and move very fluidly. At least in this first test, and on a sunny day, I did not encounter any situation in which the screen “floating” without protection produced reflections that prevented the information from being seen clearly.

More interesting things related to connectivity and the multimedia system. For around 330 euros extra, the navigation system includes the “augmented reality” option, which improves the navigation experience by combining graphic map information with real-time images captured by the camera located in the windscreen. Mercedes also uses artificial intelligence in the Clase A so that the car learns your habits based on data stored on board and in the cloud, and can suggest a route you take regularly or load a favourite radio station. And up to 8 profiles can be personalised, independently configuring the navigator favourites, the interior ambient lighting (more than 60 possibilities with the optional LED system) and countless other options.

The Clase A also features a “digital key”, which allows you to lock or unlock the car from a mobile phone using NFC communication protocol. Through the Mercedes Me portal, which includes many other functions, you can for example invite someone in your circle (a friend or family member) to share the car, leaving the key enabled inside the vehicle. The authorised person only has to approach the car and unlock it with their mobile phone, thereby gaining access to the key.

Engines: the petrol is better

I was very keen to check the performance of the A 200’s new petrol engine, with direct injection and cylinder deactivation. I must say I expected a bit more, especially if we compare it with other engines in this category. It is among the smoothest and most refined, but does not particularly stand out for thrust.

And pending a more thorough test, it does not seem likely to set benchmarks for consumption either. Between 8.5 and 9 l/100 km I measured on a route where, with other petrol compacts offering more “power”, and driving at the same pace, it is not difficult to get below 8 l/100 km. A couple of examples: VW Golf with the 1.5 TSI of 150 CV, the Ford Focus with the 1.5 Ecoboost of 182 CV, or the Honda Civic with the 1.5 VTEC of 180 CV. For now, for me, the Honda is the petrol engine in this category with the best balance between performance and consumption.

Even so, since with the A 200 it is also possible to use little fuel if you drive efficiently, I find the 1.5 turbodiesel of the A 180 d more recommendable, now with 116 CV instead of 109 CV. The real difference in average consumption will be at least around 2 l/100 km in favour of the A 180 d, but the petrol is clearly more pleasant to drive thanks to its lower noise and vibration levels, and its performance is much superior. Both have a particulate filter, with the drawback that the diesel requires more care and now uses AdBlue.

10 reasons you’ll hate the particulate filter

One more note: the 7G-DCT automatic gearbox not only works wonderfully, with the smoothness of many torque converter gearboxes and the speed you expect from a dual clutch. It also manages to reduce consumption, no less than from 6.0 to 5.3 l/100 km according to homologated figures, which is not little. It costs around 2,200 euros, but it is worth considering. As is customary at Mercedes, the selector lever sits on the steering column, which frees up the central console for the touchpad. To drive it in manual mode there are paddles on the steering wheel.

The Mercedes Clase A on the road

Mercedes has worked hard and well to improve the dynamic behaviour of a Clase A that already shone at a high level. Now, the new Clase A 2018 remains very comfortable, but gains precision and agility in corners, and also in insulation and ride quality. Partly this is due to a very direct steering with a well-chosen level of assistance. But the rigidity of the chassis (30% more) and the chosen suspension setup also play their part here.

For Spain, Mercedes has opted for the so-called “comfort running gear” that comes as standard in other markets, but here arrives with the body height lowered by 15 mm. Following an increasingly widespread trend in the category, the rear suspension uses a torsion beam in the less powerful versions, and a more elaborate multi-link axle that will be standard on the A 250 and on future higher-powered or 4MATIC all-wheel-drive variants.

The car handles very well with the standard setup, but the adaptive damping option may be very interesting, since for around 1,300 euros, besides adjustable dampers it means switching from the torsion beam to the multi-link suspension.

Equipment and options of the Mercedes Clase A

It has been some time since the days when Mercedes cars, besides being expensive, had little standard equipment and prohibitive options. And yes, the new Mercedes Clase A has a high price. But the decision to sell the Progressive line in Spain as the entry point to the range means that you get a very complete Clase A. Note what it has as standard: reversing camera; keyless start; the MBUX system with Connect 20, touchpad and two 7-inch screens; climate control; comfort seats; multifunction steering wheel; 17-inch alloy wheels; high-performance LED headlights, DYNAMIC SELECT system with 4 driving modes… and all the exterior and interior styling and decorative elements that characterise this trim, which are not few.

To further personalise the Clase A, from 1,064 euros the complete Night package is available, with 18-inch wheels and many decorative details for the bodywork and interior. The Advantage package is also interesting: for just over 1,200 euros it includes hard-disk navigation, active parking system, electrically folding exterior mirrors and photochromic interior glass, and the MBUX multimedia system with the large 10.25-inch screen.

As individual options worth considering, my recommendation is not to overlook the front sport seats (from 315 euros), the running gear with adaptive damping (includes multi-link rear suspension instead of a rigid axle, from 1,320 euros) or smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other notable optional equipment includes the head-up display instrumentation (1,200 euros, if you install at least the Advantage package), wireless phone charging system (from 140 euros), automatic high beam (560 euros) or panoramic roof (1,240 euros). Among the optional driver assistance systems are the 360-degree camera with active parking assistance (545 euros), or the assistant package which for 2,400 euros includes, among other things, DISTRONIC Plus active speed and distance control with traffic and junction assistant, and PRE-SAFE emergency braking.

A 180 d Mercedes image gallery

A 200 Mercedes image gallery