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It is said that Mercedes-Benz design chief Bruno Sacco told his staff to "forget everything you have learned so far" when unveiling details of the A-class concept to his advanced Design Team. Certainly, the final result of their efforts was like no other Mercedes. The company's first-ever entry in the growing supermini sector is part-mini MPV, part-family hatchback and part-supermini. Yet, despite its diminutive dimensions, it offers interior room comparable with a C-class.
Mercedes' first attempt at a front-drive car displays considerable ingenuity. The whole length is one single passenger compartment with the mechanicals lying underneath below a unique 'sandwich' floor design. In a crash, the engine is designed to slide underneath the floor, instead of into the cabin. Passengers are also out of range in many side-impact accidents because they're sitting higher than usual. That also makes the car easier to enter and exit.
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What you get
Equipment levels are quite high for a supermini-sized car though you'd expect a good deal for the price. As well as all the safety equipment mentioned earlier, every A-class has power steering, tinted glass, central locking, all-round electric windows and a six-speaker stereo system as standard. Opt for an Elegance and you get alloy wheels, air conditioning (essential in summer with all that glass) and a higher standard of trim. The Avantgarde, on the other hand, has blue-tinted glass with a band-tinted windscreen, a slatted folding sunroof (later swapped for air conditioning), ivory-coloured dials and alloy wheels.
Bear in mind that there is a vast options list, so it is quite likely that no two cars you consider will be exactly alike. You'll find, for example, that some early Avantgardes have optional air conditioning in place of the sunroof and that a wide variety of audio systems are fitted across the range. Leather upholstery, available in bright colours, is a popular Elegance option; the Avantgarde has grey half-leather trim.
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What to look for
A full Mercedes dealer service history is absolutely essential, especially for the most recent models whose lengthy warranty - effectively for the life of the car - is dependent on proper servicing by an authorised agent.
Check that all the accessories work and watch out for cosmetic damage which can be expensive to correct. These are popular family cars, so check for wear and tear in the rear. Also look for the usual signs of wheel kerbing and poorly repaired accident damage.
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Replacement parts
(approx. Based on A160 model) Allow around £40 for a set of front brake pads and £25 for the rear and about £175 (excluding catalyst) for a factory exhaust system. A full clutch replacement would cost around £175, a radiator is about £135 whilst a starter motor can be up to £250. A new alternator would be in the region of £445 and a front headlamp would cost about £95.
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On the road
The handling won't excite the enthusiastic driver but there's nothing wrong with the performance. Of the two smaller petrol engines, the A160 is the more relaxing to drive while the 1.9 majors on low-down pulling power so you need to change gear less around town and it feels less frantic on the motorway. The clutchless manual takes a little getting used to but is very smooth once mastered.
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Overall
Ingenious, spacious and well-equipped, the A-class is no less a Mercedes, despite its compact size. It's not cheap but it should hold its value as well as its bigger brothers.
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