New A-Class sedan stylish, affordable
The 2019 A-Class is MercedesBenz’s freshest compact offering. Here are nine things to know about it — seven you’ll love and two you’re sure to hate.
As premium small cars go, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is attractive and affordable.
Too bad the previous-generation model had poor interior quality, refinement, and back seat space. But righting these wrongs is the brand-new AClass.
At least for the time being, American motorists can purchase an A220 with either front- or 4Matic all-wheel drive. The example tested here featured a wide range of options including four-corner traction. 9. Priced to sell The 2019 A-Class starts at $34,990, a not-unreasonable sum. Go with all-wheel-drive and that base figure swells by an additional $2,000. Either way, you get German engineering and that famous MercedesBenz emblem that’s certain to make the new neighbours across your subdivision cul-desac seethe with jealousy, all for about as much cash as a Toyota Avalon. 8. It’s well equipped, but watch out! Right out of the box, you get two seven-inch screens on the dashboard. Support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, as are eight-way power front seats, LED headlamps, push-button start and more safety equipment than there are words in the dictionary.
Of course, the model evaluated here is anything but entry level. Stuffed with options like heated and ventilated front buckets, an array of driver-assistance features and the AMGLine package, it could cost significantly more than the starting price of $36,990. Go easy on the extras if you want an affordable A-Class. 7. She’s a looker The A220 is a looker from just about every angle. Somewhat resembling a miniaturized CLS, visually, this car fits in nicely with the broader MercedesBenz lineup.
That grinning front end, cleanly styled flanks and perky backside make it surprisingly ritzy for something shorter than a Nissan Sentra.
This Benz’s overall length is a hair more than 4,549 mm, comparable to an Audi A3 or Acura ILX, though the A-Class’s wheelbase is longer by several inches than the hub-to-hub spans of these rivals, clocking in at 2,728 mm.
Only the extended front overhang and short dash-to-axle measurement give away that it’s a front-drive-based car; the other proportions are surprisingly dramatic. 6. Upscale interior The A220’s interior is nicely finished, with plenty of stitching and soft plastics. It’s a huge step up from the outgoing CLA’s chintzy and cramped cabin. Even the back seat has enough head- and legroom for six-footers to fit comfortably. Yes, some of the switches could feel nicer, and, no, you won’t love all the shiny plastic, but its cabin is still well built and upscale. 5. S-Class-calibre technology The 2019 A220 offers S-Class-rivalling features in a compact package, things like adaptive cruise control with steering assist and the automaker’s new MBUX infotainment system, which is colourful, quick, customizable and most importantly, easy to navigate.
Our tester was fitted with a pair of10.25-inch screens in lieu of the standard seven-inchers. They’re bundled in the optional premium package, which also includes things like an autodimming rear-view mirror and blind-spot monitoring. They’re a welcome upgrade over the smaller displays.
One other very cool feature is how you interact with all this tech. There are three different ways including a touchpad on the centre console, touch-control buttons on the steering wheel spokes and even a touchscreen, though that is a bit of a reach from the driver’s seat. 4. “Hey, Mercedes!” Actually, there’s a fourth way to manipulate MBUX; you can also use your voice. Buried in the dashboard like some water main under an intersection is a digital assistant, much like Apple’s Siri or Amazon Alexa. You summon her by saying, “Hey, Mercedes!”
She (or it?) can help you get directions, do local searches for things like nearby restaurants and tell you the weather forecast, all without taking your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. This system even has a bit of snark. Just ask her about Audi ... 3. It feels like a real Mercedes-Benz Despite its smaller dimensions, the A-Class feels like a real Mercedes-Benz. It’s quiet inside, plus the ride is refined and well isolated. Bumps are absorbed and digested with zero harshness, just like in a proper luxury vehicle.
A seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission available in this car. That sounds like a recipe for juddering and clunkiness, but this gearbox proved to be a paragon of refinement during testing, with none of the usual bad behaviour these things are notorious for exhibiting. 2. Options galore! The A-Class is offered as a sedan or a hatchback. The sedan is slightly neutered compared to the hatchback, but its more affordable. Making things even more difficult is an upcoming “a-class variant.”
Additionally, a brand-new version of the CLA “four-door coupe” is also in the works. It should go on sale before the end of the year.
It’s basically the same thing as the A-Class, but with fancier styling. Beyond that, Mercedes will also offer a gorgeous CLA Shooting Brake, sort of a station-wagon version of the car. They revealed it at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, but it’s something we’re unlikely to ever get. 1. Economy-car performance? A 2.0-litre turbocharged fourcylinder is the sole engine offered here. It’s quiet and smooth, but only delivers 188 horsepower. That’s less than you get in a base Honda Accord!
Fortunately, the A-Class’ overall performance is still very good thanks to its resourceful transmission and tons of lowend torque, which peaks at 221 pound-feet.
On paper, this car looks like a total slug, but it can still get you 100 km/h in seven seconds, which is totally respectable. The A250 hatchback is also offered in Canada and is graced with 221horses and 258 poundfeet, which still isn’t that much for a 2.0-litre turbo, but it’s still a welcome upgrade. In any case, bring on AMG versions!
Of course, it’s entirely likely they’ve tuned these cars for efficiency rather than outright performance.
With all-wheel drive, our tester stickered at 7.1 l/100 kms in the city and 9.6 l/100 kms on the highway.
Far better than the outgoing CLA, which, yes, will be replaced by a new version later this year.