2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Review
The Mercedes A Class was perennially outclassed by the Audi A3 and the BMW 1 Series until the arrival of the third generation model in 2013 that changed things drastically and sent the competition back to the drawing board. Without question, the A-Class is a leader in the hatchback category and is dominant across many aspects such as design, space, comfort and performance. It competes with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo V40, VW Golf and Peugeot 308.
Detailed Review
The Mercedes Benz A-Class is a luxury subcompact that has been in production for four generations since 1997. In the first two generations that lasted from 1997 to 2013, it was a tall, boxy car that many people compared to a delivery van. This changed in 2013 when Mercedes redesigned it entirely and came up with a masterpiece that is now firmly on top of its class.
The 2013 A-Class comes with a choice of four engines, both petrol and diesel. These are;
1. A turbocharged 1.6 Litre 90 KW petrol engine – Offered in the A180 BlueEFFICIENCY
2. A turbocharged 1.6 Litre 115 KW petrol engine – Offered in the A200 BlueEFFICIENCY
3. A turbocharged 2.0 Litre 155 KW petrol engine – Offered in the A250 Sport AMG
4. A 1.8 Litre 100 KW turbo-diesel engine- Offered in the A200 CDI
These are linked to either a 7-speed 7G-DCT automatic transmission or a 6-Speed manual transmission and available only in 2WD(Front).
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Grades
- The A180 BlueEFFICIENCY – This comes with the 1.6 Litre 90 KW petrol engine, 17-Inch alloy rims, Ambient Lighting, Artico Leather Seats, rain sensing wipers, automatic climate control, Audio 20 and a multi-function steering wheel.
- The A200 BlueEFFICIENCY – This comes with the 1.6 Litre 115 KW petrol engine, 17-Inch alloy rims, Ambient Lighting, Artico Leather Seats, rain sensing wipers, LED daylight running lights, automatic climate control, Audio 20, multi-function steering wheel, silver/red instruments, electropneumatic lumbar support and diamond pattern trim.
- The A200 CDI – This comes with the 1.8 Litre 100 KW diesel engine, 17-Inch alloy rims, Ambient Lighting, Artico Leather Seats, rain sensing wipers, LED daylight running lights, automatic climate control, Audio 20, multi-function steering wheel, silver/red instruments, electropneumatic lumbar support and diamond pattern trim.
- The A250 Sport – This comes with the 2.0 155KW petrol engine, 18-Inch alloy rims, red seat belts, bi-Xenon headlights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive High Beam Assist, carbon-fibre trim and multi-function Nappa steering wheel,
2013 Mercedes A-Class Interior
Legroom & Space
The A-Class is a spacious and roomy hatchback that feels as spacious as the C-Class. At the first row, both seats have excellent legroom and can comfortably accommodate tall people. At the second row, the legroom is similarly good and tall people will find it comfortable.
Cabin Storage
The A-Class is well supplied with storage compartments in the cabin which are useful for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags etc. At the first row there are 4 cup-holders, door panel storage , a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and the center-box. For the second row, there’s storage on the front seat jacket pockets and door pockets.
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Boot Space
The boot is small. It’s not as good as what we’ve seen in the BMW 1 Series and this is largely due to the cabin design that emphasized on freeing up space for seating. But all in all, the boot is sufficient to carry medium sized luggage.
Extras: Advanced Parking Guidance, Artico Upholstery, rain sensing wipers, LED daylight running lights, automatic climate control, Audio 20, multi-function nappa leather steering wheel.
2013 Mercedes A-Class Safety Features: SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Warning
2013 Mercedes A-Class Exterior
This is where the A-Class stands out. Far from the van-like looks of its predecessors, the new design is sporty and sophisticated. It has a long bonnet which makes it look big and the LED headlights with daytime running lights add a touch of class.
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Fuel Consumption
2013 A180 BlueEFFICIENCY fuel consumption: 17.2 km/L
2013 A200 BlueEFFICIENCY fuel consumption: 16.3 km/L
2013 A200 CDI fuel consumption: 21.7 km/L
2013 A250 Sport fuel consumption: 15.1 km/L
2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class Acceleration
2013 A180 BlueEFFICIENCY accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 sec.
2013 A200 BlueEFFICIENCY accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 sec.
2013 A200 CDI accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.1 sec.
2013 A250 Sport accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 sec.
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Fuel Tank Capacity: 50Litres
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Ground Clearance
The 2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class has a ground clearance of 6.3 Inches(160 mm) which is slightly below the minimum recommended clearance of 6.5 Inches for Kenyan roads but nevertheless impressive for this type of hatchback.
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Stability and Handling
True to form, the A-Class handles the road extremely well and the performance is exceptional even for the entry level A180. The acceleration is quick and power delivery is smooth. Around corners, there’s no body roll whatsoever and the car can take corners at high speed.
Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 10,000 km for petrol and 5,000 km for diesel. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil
Mercedes A-Class Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts are fairly priced and available in major towns in Kenya. Body parts are expensive and not as easily available even within Nairobi. You can get listings for Mercedes Benz spare part dealers in this link
2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.
When it comes to Mercedes Benz, proper maintenance is critical to its long term reliability and longevity. If well maintained, the A-Class can run for years without problems but if you skimp on maintenance, things can get nasty. The A-Class is an advanced car with lots of electronics and sensors that control pretty much everything from simple tasks such as turning on wipers to complex tasks such as monitoring lane activity and blind spots. If something goes wrong with these sensors and this usually happens if the car is poorly maintained, the consequences can be serious and costly.
Resale Value: Good
Mercedes Benz C-Class Competitors: Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo V40, VW Golf and Peugeot 308
Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: See Latest Mercedes A-Class Prices here
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 52,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 24,000/- for 4 Tyres
What we like about the 2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class
1. Excellent handling
2. Premium quality build
3. Good fuel economy
4. Spacious Cabin
What we don’t
1. Low ground clearance
Conclusion
For those that are thinking outside the box and looking beyond the usual Japanese hatchbacks, then the Mercedes A-Class a car to consider. The build quality is exceptional and the driving characteristics are unmatched. For those that worry about maintenance costs, of course the German cars are expensive to maintain compared to Japanese cars but they are durable and reliable.
Where to Buy the 2013 Mercedes Benz A-Class in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the A-Class locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and UK who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.
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