Think back to 2007 when we saw the very first A-Class. It wasn’t exactly the most stylish of cars. It also had a tendency to topple over in the event of sharp steering. Basically, it wasn’t the best car Mercedes-Benz had ever produced. Fast forward to the third generation and a whole new car was essentially born. It was an almost sporty looking, some might even say ‘sexy’ car. It had all the makings of a best seller. To keep their customers happy, Mercedes-Benz then added the sedan version for those who loved the A-Class but now had a family to consider.
The current generation has had an update and so we see a few tweaks here and there, but the A-Class retains its emotive design overall. The exterior updates are subtle, you’d have to look closely to see them. Keep your eye on the radiator grille and the new rear diffuser. There are also new wheel designs to choose from.
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Step Inside
Step inside and the first thing that will catch your eye is the new, larger 10.25-inch central screen. There is also a seven-inch screen for the instrument cluster. And that is it. Not much else to mention in terms of upgrades, however, what remains is a beautifully laid-out cabin that A-Class fans have come to love and cherish.
I have had the more ‘run of the mill’ A200 d Sedan on test. It is the model that might not excite many, it’s not a hatchback, after all. And it’s not an AMG version. It’s the more practical choice of the range. It will set you back close to a million rand, however, without any optional extras. The cheapest version of the A-Class is the A200 hatch version which still sits around R800 000. It’s rather heartbreaking looking at car prices these days, isn’t it? But let’s see what this sort of money will get you in this popular car.
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The A200 d gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel under its bonnet that has outputs of 110 kW and 320 Nm. The fuel consumption is claimed at a very low 4.5l/100 km…so at least you will be saving on your fuel bill. It might not be the most energetic car on the road, but it makes for a comfortable everyday cruiser. Whether you are in the city or hitting the open road. The upgrades that can’t be seen with the naked eye are that of advanced safety assistance systems. With the upgrade of the Driver Assistance Package, for example, the control of the Lane Keeping Assist is much more comfortable by using the Active Steering Control. The thing with the A-Class, in terms of features, is that you really can customise it to how you like. You just need to keep an eye on that options list.
The Sedan truly does offer more in terms of practicality, and having a three-year-old son lets me really put this to the test. His car seat fits in easily, although, leg room for the front passenger is a bit inhibited. And the boot swallows a few large items, but if you are spending this kind of money and you have a family, you might want to look at the excellent alternatives that don’t sport a premium badge but still offer refined excellence, space and a relatable price tag!
Juliet McGuire
Juliet McGuire is South Africa’s leading female motoring journalist. She’s been a motoring journalist for the past 14 years and she is here to help you make an informed decision when buying a car.
