The current Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine has been on sale in India since May 2023, having received a facelift at the time, which brought differently designed LED daytime running lamps and tail-lights, revised bumpers, a tweaked grille and a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels. That the A-Class Limousine is priced at Rs 46.05 lakh makes it the cheapest Mercedes car in India and the entry point to the three-pointed star. Based on our comprehensive tests and inputs from our road test team, here are 3 reasons to buy the Mercedes A-Class sedan and 2 reasons why one should consider its primary rival, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Mercedes A-Class Limousine ride quality
Ride quality is better than some of its larger sedan siblings
A highlight of Merc’s smallest sedan in India is its ride quality, which is something we observed in our Mercedes A-Class Limousine review and when we compared it to the BMW 2 Series GC. In fact, it rides better than some of its larger sedan siblings, thanks to a soft setup that superbly takes the edge off sharp bumps and keeps the sedan stable as speed builds. While the A-Class Limousine does not handle as well as the 2 Series – due to the light but inert steering and noticeable body roll – the Merc is easier to drive at low speeds.
Mercedes A-Class Limousine rear seat space
Even 6-foot-tall passengers have enough headroom and legroom
Thanks to the A-Class’ 2,729mm-long wheelbase, there is ample knee room and legroom for rear passengers, and the rear windshield’s rake helps even 6-foot occupants sit in comfort. It should be noted that rear-seat comfort could have been better, as the seat is placed low, resulting in a knees-up posture, and the relatively narrow cabin makes it better suited to just two.
Mercedes A-Class Limousine interior and features
Design, materials used and feature list are impressive
The A-Class’ interior is tastefully finished and uses high-quality materials; the blend of wood, gloss black and matte silver, garnished with the ambient lighting, is superbly executed. The rotary AC vents and the climate control switches feel extremely high-quality. The feature list includes auto LED headlamps, ambient lighting, wireless charging, electrically adjustable front seats with seat kinetics and driver’s seat memory, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, SIM-based connectivity features and active brake assist.
Mercedes A-Class Limousine NVH
Some road noise filters into the cabin
Among the few shortcomings of the A-Class Limousine is refinement. Perhaps the only un-Mercedes-like aspect of this sedan is that some road noise filters into the cabin.
Mercedes A-Class Limousine A 200 petrol engine
163hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol doesn’t feel effortless
| Mercedes A-Class Limousine factfile | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3-litre, 4-cyl, mild-hybrid, turbo-petrol |
| Power | 163hp |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-100kph (claimed) | 8.3 seconds |
| Fuel efficiency | 17.5kpl (ARAI) |
Another sore point is the 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which develops 163hp and 250Nm of torque. While Mercedes claims a 0-100kph time of 8.3 seconds, you will often find yourself extending this engine because it does need to be worked a bit to get going. Engine refinement is reasonable at idle and during light cruising at low revs, but once the tachometer crosses the 3,500rpm mark, the engine becomes quite audible. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is quick to shift but can feel clunky under duress.
