Complete Guide to Buying a Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Perceptions are hard to shake off! For example, first-time luxury car buyers perceived the A-Class to be too expensive (it was an imported CBU) for what it offered. But Mercedes-Benz changed that perception by bringing the new A-Class Limousine to India in 2021. Replacing the CLA and the A-Class hatchback, the A-Class sedan was an instant hit as it made for a better ‘Baby Benz’ than any of the brand’s previous entry-level offerings. 

Even if the ‘Limousine’ tag is a touch too ambitious, the A-Class isn’t short on space, features, performance, and even fuel efficiency, making it among the best luxury cars you can buy for under Rs 50 lakh. But which A-Class would be the right one for you, given that there’s a petrol, diesel, and even a souped-up AMG variant to choose from? Here’s a Complete Guide to Buying a Mercedes-Benz A-Class to help you make the right choice.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Specifications

Why you should consider the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The A-Class, alongside its GLA SUV sibling, makes up almost one-fifth of Mercedes-Benz’s annual sales in India. Here are three reasons why that’s the case and why it dominates the country’s entry-level luxury car market. 

Striking Design

Unlike its predecessor, the CLA, the A-Class Limousine’s design strikes a sweeter balance between sporty and elegant. The car’s low-slung and wide stance is offset by conventional design elements such as minimal creases, a sedan-like roofline, and a long wheelbase. The AMG variant though is decidedly sportier looking with larger wheels and a bit of body kit. In either guise, make no mistake that the A-Class is a large car, despite what its positioning and pictures may suggest. This combination of size and understated elegance (or sportiness, in the AMG’s case) is reminiscent of more expensive Mercedes-Benz offerings, ensuring you’ll never be short of attention when arriving in an A-Class.

Indulgent Interior

Nothing justifies the A-Class’s ‘Baby Benz’ moniker better than its rich interior. Comprising a mix of old-school elements (e.g. metallic round AC vents, piano black and faux wood inserts, and a traditional round leather-wrapped steering wheel) and new-age gizmos (e.g. twin 10.25-inch instrument and infotainment displays, 64-colour ambient lighting, and a touchpad on the steering wheel to control the screens), the A-Class’s cabin offers a luxurious refuge that you’d loathe to get out from. And the car’s length, wheelbase, and width certainly play their part in the pampering as there’s generous space, both front and rear. 

The AMG variant keeps things on-brand too by offering a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports seats, aluminium pedals, and AMG-spec graphics for the instrument display. 

Potent Performance

The A-Class Limousine offers two powertrain options, 1.3-litre petrol which produces 165 PS and 250 Nm and 2.0-litre diesel which produces 152 PS and 320 Nm. The former is paired with a 7-speed DCT while the latter uses an 8-speed DCT transmission. These output figures endow the A-Class with brisk straight-line performance as the petrol variant does 0-100 kmph in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 230 kmph. The diesel A-Class is a touch faster with a 0-100 kmph time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 227 kmph. This grin-inducing performance is unlikely to induce a frown in your wallet though as the A-Class’s petrol and diesel variants deliver a fuel efficiency of 17.5 kmpl and 21.3 kmpl, respectively. 

But if a wider grin is the sole objective here, the AMG A35 is more suitable as its 310 PS and 400 Nm output is sent to all four wheels, helping the car hit 100 kmph from a standstill in 5 seconds, with a top speed of 250 kmph.

Why you should not consider the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

While the A-Class may appear to be in a class of its own, it has its faults. Here are two reasons that might make you think just a little longer before you whip out that cheque book for the A-Class.

Front Seat More Comfortable than Rear Seat

Yes, the ‘Limousine’ tag is more of a branding move. Even so, it’s reasonable for buyers to expect some practical manifestations of a limo. However, the A-Class’s rear seat can accommodate only two in comfort with the third passenger being a squeeze. Moreover, the rear seat also doesn’t come with any kind of adjustment whatsoever, in contrast to the powered adjustment offered by the front seats. Topping out the ‘absentee list’ are fan control, sun blinds, and music controls for rear passengers.

Ride Quality and NVH Could’ve Been Better

The A-Class’s damping is ever so slightly on the stiffer side. While this makes for a fun cornering experience and a planted high-speed ride, it does let occupants know when the car encounters a sharp bump or pothole, via both feel and noise. Again, this is not something you’d expect in a ‘Limousine’. 

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Variants

The standard Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine is available in only two variants, a petrol and a diesel. The upside to this rather narrow choice is that Mercedes has fully kitted out each variant, helping you to make a decision based on the powertrain alone. And as previously mentioned, the pricier AMG variant comes with a different interior and exterior treatment, in addition to a much more powerful engine and all-wheel drive.

Best Mercedes-Benz A-Class Variant to Buy

The A200d is the most value-for-money variant of the A-Class Limousine. It’s on par with the A200 petrol variant in terms of performance while being notably more fuel efficient. The diesel also gets an 8-speed DCT to make better use of the additional torque, resulting in even better driveability irrespective of city roads or highways. Combine that with the rather narrow price difference with the A200, and with equipment being standard for both, it’s easy to recommend the A200d. 

The AMG A35 commands a premium of Rs 12 lakh over the A200d. However, the price seems justified if you consider the vastly better performance and kit that AMG has tacked on to it. If performance is all you care about, the A35 offers the perfect stepping stone into the world of AMG, but without compromising practicality and affordability. 

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Warranty & Service Cost

Mercedes-Benz offers the A-Class Limousine and the AMG A35 with a standard warranty of 3 years, which can be extended up to 6 years. The company also offers a unique 8-year warranty on these cars’ engines and transmissions as well as an up to 2-year warranty on spare parts, which speaks volumes about the brand’s reliability. 

It’s important to note that Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer ‘free services’ with its new cars. Each service is paid and often costs upwards of Rs 40,000 for even their entry-level models. However, buyers can insure themselves from these charges by opting for the company’s service packages. 

Available in Compact and Compact Plus options, each package covers the cost of consumables and diagnostic checks. The Compact Plus package additionally includes wheel balancing/alignment, brake pad and wiper blade replacements. 

These packages are touted to cut regular service costs by quite a margin. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz also offers a choice of flexible, long-term, and custom plans, with the option to pay for the chosen service package in EMIs.

Summary

Launched in 2021, the A-Class Limousine has quickly gone on to become one of Mercedes-Benz’s bestselling cars in India. If you’re looking for an entry-level luxury car experience that doesn’t cut corners on performance, features, and comfort in the pursuit of an affordable price tag, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is right up your alley. With this guide, you should have a better idea of which variant of the ‘Baby Benz’ will you bring home.