As soon as we were done reading the press release for the all-new 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, we immediately knew that the car would fix many of its predecessor’s shortcomings. Apparently though, just because it’s better, doesn’t mean it’s great.
In these very first video reviews, both What Car and Carwow almost immediately concluded that the car feels considerably more premium than before, the former going as far as to compare certain aspects of the interior with those of the E-Class’.
Whether the same is true for the exterior, that’s up to each and every one of you to decide, especially if you’re planning on spending your hard earned cash on it. Still, based on our visual comparison between the all-new A-Class and the 2017 model, opinions were more or less split, though tilting in favor of the newer car as far as styling was concerned.
Two major positives, according to these videos, are the increased comfort levels and the smoother ride. This is where the previous model struggled to match rivals such as the Audi A3, or even the VW Golf. The all-new A-Class is pretty good at soaking up bumps, and a 6 foot tall adult (1.83 m) fits reasonably well in the back.
Great, but is it fun to drive?
We’re not sure how fun it is until we get our hands on one as well – hopefully soon, so stand by for that. But the handling does get praised here in both instances, as does the A200’s punchy 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, good for 163 PS (160 HP) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. Not bad for an entry-level petrol.
As for downsides, the reviewers mention that the 2018 A-Class still isn’t as smooth or even as engaging to drive as a VW Golf.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLuRvZsEbnsFO_iXvhXHdvDyKS2J6EoQr