Mercedes-Benz A 180 2016 Review

Mercedes-Benz A 180
Road Test

Refreshed to tackle 2016, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class builds from a solid base. Adding key technology and safety appointments, and lifting standard specification for a modest price increase, the A 180 tested here jumps $1300 in price $37,200 (plus on-road costs). While it now sits above cut-throat Audi and BMW rivals in price terms, the A 180 has a prestigious ambience that is largely backed up by the drive.

It’s already been seven years since Mercedes-Benz first dipped its prestige toes into the hotly-contested small car segment with its A-Class.

Although the 2016 model year A 180 has jumped $1300 in price (to $37,200 plus on-road costs), it’s still cheaper than it was in 2009 ($37,900). The difference is it now offers more power, a self-shifting gearbox, improved efficiency and a heck of a lot more standard safety equipment. Win, win.

When assessing the multitude of updates, that $1300 premium becomes a value-added bargain. There’s a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Garmin MAP PILOT sat nav, Apple CarPlay connectivity, a reversing camera, blind-spot assist, keyless start (but not entry, curiously), collision prevention assist, combined fabric/ARTICO man-made leather upholstery, dynamic select and nine airbags among the equipment highlights.

Look to the outside (and you may have to look twice to note the changes) and there’s 17-inch alloy wheels, a black diamond grille and a restyled rear bumper section.

The featured Cirrus White non-metallic A 180 was also fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s Vision Package, which includes a panoramic electric sunroof and fixed LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs (and a blue welcome light), along with a full LED rear lamp cluster including brake and reversing light for an additional $2490.

Under the (active) bonnet is a carry-over 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 90kW at 5000rpm and 200Nm from 1250-4000rpm. It’s coupled to a standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch ‘auto’ transmission and consumes a claimed 5.8L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle.

For reference its key competition includes the BMW 118i ($36,900 /100kW/220Nm/4.8L) and the segment's top seller, Audi’s A3 Attraction ($36,500/92kW/200Nm/4.9L).

Translating those numbers to the road, the A 180 majors on mid-range torque delivery. There’s little point venturing higher up the rev range, unless you like listening to a dull exhaust note. Opt for lighter throttle loads, let the intuitive transmission shift itself between gears to maximise economy, and you can make quiet and smooth – but relatively sedate – progress.

Weighing 1395kg may explain why acceleration is a little dull. But when the right foot moves to the brake pedal you feel the need to shove the pedal pretty firmly before the expected deceleration commences.

The A 180’s aerodynamic body (Mercedes-Benz calls it a segment leader in this regard) also cuts the air finely at speed, with little in the way of wind noise and only a small intrusion from the wide 225/45-series rubber.

Accenting that air of serenity is the A 180’s ride quality. Where a lot of modern vehicles on low-profile rubber buck over imperfections, the A 180 can glide with comfort its priority… a stark contrast to its steroidal A 45 big brother.

The newly-fitted dynamic select offers four driving modes in this application: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Without the adaptive damping available on higher-spec variants, the alterations are limited to climate control function, engine/throttle characteristics and gearbox and steering calibrations. Firmer steering, a sharper throttle and a keener gear shift strategy in sport provide some initial interest, but beyond the novelty the A 180 is best left in its default mode.

It’s close to its efficiency claim, too; we hovered in the low-sixes for consumption in largely city traffic, before dropping to 5.6L/100km overall with some highway driving thrown in for good measure.

Externally the LED-rich lighting that comes with the optional Vision package fitted to this example lifts the exterior ambience; without them, the flat white paint is almost too subtle. Doing a similar job inside is the panoramic roof, which bathes the interior in filtered light.

The interior control surfaces feel high quality – especially for the price – and the updated infotainment screen, though looking like an add-on as in many other Mercs, actually sits high in your eye-line and works reasonably well via console-mounted controls.

Overall, the interior is really only let down by the embossed fabric in the seat backs. It may be designed to attract a younger audience, but misses the mark and creates a cheaper feel than you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz.

Practicality is vital in this segment, despite its ‘small’ categorisation. In A 180 there’s 341 litre of luggage space, which swells to 1157 with the second-row seats folded flat. It stops a little short of the 118i’s 360/1200-litre combination and the A3’s 380/1220-litre offering.

Aftersales also plays a role in this segment; of benefit to the customer and profit to the manufacturer in a class where sales margins are tight due to competition. The A 180’s service intervals are set annually or 25,000km (whichever comes first). You can option a fixed-cost servicing plan or take advantage of a three-year capped price plan. The initial service costs $396 with the remaining two capped at $792. Roadside assistance comes standard with the three-year new vehicle warranty.

All in all, the refreshed Mercedes-Benz A 180 retains a touch of class, with ride and cabin quality to match for the outlay. It may be less powerful and efficient than key rivals – and there may be a couple of ‘cheap touches’ but it’s the most serene driving experience in the premium small car category.

2016 Mercedes-Benz A 180 pricing and specifications:
Price: $37,200 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 90kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 135g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP)

Also consider:
>> Audi A3 (from $36,500 plus ORCs)
>> BMW 1 Series (from $36,900 plus ORCs)
>> Lexus CT 200h (from $37,990 plus ORCs)