Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan 2019 Review

Mercedes-Benz has fixed a usefully large boot to the rear of the A-Class small car – without detracting from the car's aerodynamic properties. In fact, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan has achieved a new record for a series-production passenger car with its drag coefficient of 0.22Cd. The company is launching the new body style in Australia with the A 200 variant ($49,400) featuring more power and torque than the entry-level A 180 coming in August 2019.

Conventional three-box sedans are not renowned for being aerodynamically efficient. But Mercedes-Benz has apparently happened upon a workable formula. Beginning with the W212 E-Class (0.25Cd), Benz has been developing four-door passenger cars with enviable aerodynamic qualities and placing them in production.

The latest sedan from Stuttgart to push the envelope is the booted Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which has set a new record, according to the manufacturer, with a drag coefficient of 0.22Cd. And the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is bringing its aero-design sedan smarts to Australia, initially in the form of the A 200, which was launched this week (June 2019).

Priced just below $50,000, the A 200 will be shortly joined by an entry-level Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan, the A 180 (scheduled for August) and A 250 variants (a front-wheel drive in November and a '4Matic' all-wheel drive model early next year).

The big news is the high-performance A 35 model is also on the way and is due to arrive in Australia in October (2019).

In the meantime, the A 200 is the sole offering available for Aussie consumers. It's priced at a $2200 premium above the A 200 hatchback, but is mechanically identical, although weight and dimensions differ slightly.

The Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan tested for the media drive program was an early-build model and we were advised that the specification varied slightly from the standard spec for customer cars.

For that reason we’ll make allowance for a few little things that weren't quite up to scratch, such as the accelerator pedal that felt like it was adjusted too high for comfort (relative to the steering wheel reach adjustment). After an extended drive, a cramping sensation settled in the right ankle, with the right knee raised off the seat cushion, despite the steering column withdrawn to its full adjustment and the seat set further back.

And on the subject of the seating, the base cushion felt firm, despite being part of a 'Comfort' seat specific to the sedan. It lacked shape, but was supportive under the thighs at least.

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan is 130mm longer than the hatch and is 6mm taller, but neither measurement has translated to significantly improved rear-seat accommodation. Just like the hatchback, the sedan is not especially spacious in the rear. Headroom would be adequate for adults, except the A 200 tested came with a sunroof, which further reduced the available room for taller passengers in the rear. Legroom is adequate for adults, but is better left to younger teens.

Climbing in the back is made harder by the swooping roofline and the smaller door aperture.

Where the A 200 sedan raises the stakes in the cabin is the dash and centre fascia. The new MBUX digital infotainment and instrumentation displays (including a voice recognition function) are elegantly incorporated in the dash and centre stack.

To operate the various functions displayed on the MBUX’s large, user-friendly infotainment screen, there are multiple switches on the steering wheel spokes and a single-point controller, which features some buttons and a large touch pad for swiping and selection.

It's all quite easy to use, although the swiping movement may be confusing. Swipe left and the 'cursor' on screen also swipes left, but the apps also shift right to display those off-screen, and vice versa. That's sort of counter-intuitive until owners are familiar with this operational trait.

Measuring over 400 litres, the Mercedes-Benz A 200's boot opens and closes without crushing any goods contained within. Long, hooped hinges retract within sealed tubes to keep obstructions clear.

Under the floor there was a tyre repair kit for the vehicle tested, but A-Class models vehicles fitted with 18-inch wheels are shod with run-flat tyres.

In an era when small cars are downsizing to 1.5-litre turbocharged engines and Audi has an A3 sedan with a 1.4-litre engine, Mercedes-Benz is winning the race to the base of the displacement mountain.

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan is powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with direct injection. It's an engine that produces decent power and torque figures (the A 180 won't be as strong), and for most occasions it will meet the needs of buyers, who will rarely need to overtake on a country road in the A 200.

During the drive program the powerplant felt lively and responsive – particularly in the sport driving mode. Indeed, it offered enough performance to overpower the traction in the slightly slippery conditions encountered. Torque builds at a constant rate across the entire rev range, from about 2000rpm up to the 6500rpm redline, resulting in effortless urban commuting.

At other times, however, the A 200's power delivery in the Comfort driving mode felt soft. On the occasion you might need to call on extra performance in a hurry, and for safe overtaking performance in hilly country, a loaded-up A 200’s throttle and gearshift may need to be used more demonstrably.

What will appeal to owners about this car's engine, however, is its noise suppression at touring speeds – not so much as a murmur ticking over at just 1900rpm with the speedo needle sitting on 100km/h. It is louder at high revs and under load, but overall it's a refined engine and a solid match to the dual-clutch transmission, which operates smoothly and seamlessly at all times.

In Comfort mode, the A 200 provides a composed ride, but struggles a little under higher cornering loads. There's some initial reluctance to turn in and body control is less than ideal to cope with mid-corner bumps. In Sport mode, the A 200 handles better, but ride quality is compromised on typical Australian country roads.

The steering effort in Comfort mode feels almost too light, but the A 200 still tracks true at the straight ahead. In Sport mode, the A 200 sedan provides enough feel to place the car precisely in corners.

The Mercedes-Benz A 200’s brake pedal feel is progressive and easily modulated for soft stopping.

Tyre noise is fairly well suppressed, but the 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero tyres on the test car did boom unexpectedly on some irregular surfaces. We're told that customer cars with the standard 18-inch wheels will be fitted with Hankooks which may make a difference.

The reversing camera fitted at the rear of the A 200 provides a view through a very wide angle, which makes backing out from behind a van or other larger vehicle safer and easier than is normally the case.

That extra 130mm of length behind the rear axle no doubt helps enhance the view also.

A tyre repair kit was located under the boot floor of the test vehicle, but cars fitted with 18-inch wheels are shod with run-flat tyres, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia.

For prospective buyers, run-flat tyres should be more than sufficient for the urban grind, which is where we'll mostly likely see the A-Class sedan in action.

How much does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan cost?
Price: $49,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 120kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined), 6.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 130g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2018)