The 2024 Mercedes Benz A-Class is a strong contender in the affordable luxury car segment. It offers a blend of style, comfort, and performance. While it has its share of quirks and drawbacks, it presents a compelling choice for those seeking an elegant and feature-rich vehicle without breaking the bank. So, if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly luxury car, the Mercedes A-Class is definitely worth shortlisting.
We’ll explore its exterior and interior, take it for a spin, evaluate its pros and cons, and even test its acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour. So, stay tuned as we delve into what this elegant vehicle has to offer.
Design Upgrades
Let’s start by examining the design updates in the refreshed Mercedes Benz A-Class. While the rear may appear somewhat generic, Mercedes has made subtle but meaningful changes, including redesigned tail lights and a revamped lower bumper. Gone are the tacky fake exhausts, a welcome move. The AMG line variants boast a sportier appearance, complemented by enhanced side skirts. At the front, you’ll notice redesigned LED lights and a larger bumper, adorned with the iconic Mercedes emblem. Overall, these design tweaks give the A-Class a more contemporary and appealing look.
Interior Enhancements
Inside, Mercedes has made significant improvements to the A-Class. The infotainment system and digital driver’s display now come standard a commendable move. They’ve also done away with the somewhat peculiar touchpad in favour of touchscreen controls, simplifying the user experience.
Although the recessed space beneath the controls may leave you wondering about its purpose, it’s a minor quirk in an otherwise well-designed cabin. The steering wheel, while visually appealing, has touch-sensitive buttons that can be a tad frustrating in practice. The overall cabin design has aged gracefully, though some materials and build quality could be improved.
Spacious and Comfortable
The Mercedes Benz A-Class offers ample storage options, including a glovebox, large door bins, and additional compartments for your convenience. The driving position is highly adjustable, ensuring comfort for various driver preferences.
Rear Seat and Practicality
Moving to the rear seats, Mercedes has made minor changes, including removing a drawer and adding a USB charging port. The space remains comfortable, with decent knee room, although headroom is not as generous as in a Volkswagen Golf. The central rear seat is a bit narrow, but the footwells are spacious. The rear windows are a noteworthy feature, offering full downward visibility. However, it’s worth noting that fitting a baby seat may require some manoeuvring due to limited rear door opening.
A-Class Cargo Space
The A-Class’s boot space, at 350 litres, is slightly smaller than some competitors like the Audi A3, which offers 380 litres. Additionally, you can’t adjust the floor height, making it slightly less practical when loading heavy items. Nevertheless, there are tie-down points, and the rear seats split three ways for added flexibility.
Engine Options
Two different engine options are available for the A-Class: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 208 horsepower and a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 136 horsepower. A dual-clutch automatic transmission is used with both engines. There are also high-performance AMG versions, the A35 for those seeking more power.
The top-of-the-line AMG A 35 model gains even more power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 295 lb-ft of torque and 302 horsepower. Along with AMG-specific bodywork, a sport-tuned suspension, and an AMG performance exhaust system, it has all the characteristics of the A 250. Sport seats and AMG embellishments make the interior even more opulent.
Driving Experience
In town, the A-Class excels with easy manoeuvrability, good visibility, and responsive steering. The automatic gearbox ensures smooth gear changes, and the brakes are progressive. On the motorway, the car maintains stability, though there is a slight increase in wind noise at higher speeds. On country roads, the A-Class handles well, with accurate steering and minimal body roll. However, its non-independent rear suspension can lead to slight instability when encountering bumps mid-corner.
0-60mph Acceleration
Mercedes claims that the 177-horsepower A-Class can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 8.3 seconds.
Five Annoying Things
Despite its many merits, the A-Class has some drawbacks. These include non-independent rear suspension in most models, reflective air vent surrounds, limited underfloor storage, no front passenger grab handle, and the necessity of opting for the top trim to get adaptive cruise control.
Five Good Things
Conversely, there are numerous positive aspects to consider. The hidden reversing camera that remains clean is a clever feature. The augmented reality satellite navigation, gear selector lever on the steering column, rear seat belt runners, and car wash mode all contribute to a more enjoyable driving experience.
Mercedes A-Class Pricing
The Mercedes A-Class prices start at £32,000, which may seem a bit steep compared to some competitors. For instance, the BMW 1 Series starts at just over £28,000.
