Mercedes-Benz A Class (2023) – Back to Basics

Mercedes-Benz A 180 Business Line – €42,893

The current Mercedes-Benz A-class appeared on the market in 2018. In that year we immediately hoisted it onto the Back to Basics stage, which resulted in a literally striking result. The basic A turned out to be executed in ‘Sun Yellow’, a real bright color! The contrast with the new, facelifted A-class could not be greater, because today the smallest Mercedes in basic trim is only available in four shades of the well-known gray scale. With the Business Line you can choose between white, silver-grey, dark gray and black.

Now the above deserves a comment, because the name ‘Business Line’ already indicates that the current basic A is intended for the business market. Then the subdued ‘color palette’ can still be defended, although a dark blue would have suited it perfectly as far as we’re concerned. The good news: sunset yellow is simply available on other versions and, as usual, does not cost a penny extra. Still, there is reason to be happy with the Business Line, because the color choice has no influence on the price there either and in all four cases it concerns neat metallic shades. So we have made all four shades part of the photo gallery. By the way, the undersigned would go for the silver gray, for what it’s worth. Nice and historically sound on a Benz.

Price

A greater contrast than that between bright yellow and black does not seem imaginable, but Mercedes does its best when it comes to price. After all, the current base price of €41,893 is more than €12,000 above that of 2018. Now we do not know what we find more surprising: that the current A costs at least 42 grand, or that you could still get into a Mercedes for €30,000 in 2018. Nowadays that is rather the price of a simple Polo, which once again underlines that things have gone very fast in terms of price in recent years. For the sake of completeness: as a sedan, the new A-class Business Line costs €43,805.

Appearance

As a plaster on the wound, we can say that the current basic version of the A-class cannot be compared in any way with that of 2018. Where you then still got an unnamed, manual A160 with 109 hp, today you step at least in an A180 with 136 hp, an automatic transmission and the aforementioned Business Line decoration. Unlike before, LED lighting is standard all around and the A-class is at least 17-inch light metal. That looks a lot more complete than the halogen headlights and 16-inch hubcaps of yesteryear. The more expensive and more beautiful Multibeam LED is still optional and not available on the Business Line. The now standard chromed window frame also makes a contribution when it comes to appearance. Incidentally, the A-class is of an endangered Mercedes species where privacy glass is still available at an additional cost. Feel free to take advantage of that.

Interior

Also inside, the simplest A-class is actually not so ‘basic’ anymore. The digital instruments are now standard of the larger, wider type (10.25 inches) and both screens are now optically fused together behind one wide glass plate in the simplest trim. In terms of content, the infotainment system is nice and complete, including standard navigation. It is a bit silly that Mercedes asks for extra money for telephone projection systems Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, namely €363.

Above: 2018’s base A class. Below that of today. Pay attention to the steering wheel, the screens and of course the poker.

Seat heating is standard again. For a pleasant interior temperature, A-class buyers can always count on an automatic climate control system (1 zone), while the speed can be maintained with a non-adaptive cruise control.

The seats, which are actually partly covered with ‘leather look’, are of course both height adjustable, but the driver gets a depth adjustment for the seat as a bonus. If you are not waiting for black, you can opt for a gray fabric for a modest extra charge. The decorative strips are standard in a ‘carbon look’, which gives a perhaps somewhat misplaced, sporty atmosphere. Anyone who wants something different here is out of luck: that is only possible with more expensive versions. You bring it to life with a start button, although you still have to use the button on the key to unlock it.

All in all, such a relatively simple A-class leaves little to be desired, at least not in the ‘necessary’ category. As is often the case with Business versions, the choice is limited. Those who want more, whether it comes to colors or actual equipment, will therefore have to look to other versions. The first step in that area is the Luxury Line, which leaves the showroom for at least €44,875.