Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine First Review: This Merc Is As Sharp As Ever; Check Price And Important Features

Mercedes now has the A-Class Limousine. It is a Mercedes but one that appeals to the younger set without being too flashy. Read the complete review below.

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Affordable luxury is the latest buzzword and while the consumption of luxury goods showed a downward trend due to last year; the Indian market has seen the emergence of a younger set of luxury car buyers. Buying a luxury car or splurging on luxury goods is increasing, hence to tap into the younger set and also expand its buyer base, Mercedes now has the A-Class Limousine. The A-Class has been on sale in India via its hatchback avatar many years ago, but this time the approach is a bit less radical as we get the sedan or the "limousine" version.

The A-Class then is the perfect entry-level luxury sedan for either being chauffeured around or actually driving it yourself. However, one look at the A-Class limousine and it certainly does not look like "entry-level" in any respect. It is fairly big and well proportioned at a length of 4.5m long (which makes it just shorter than the C-Class) while sitting on a 2729mm wheelbase. The design is similar to the CLS four coupe and it looks classy yet also sporty with short overhangs which make it look muscular. It is a Mercedes but one that appeals to the younger set without being too flashy. The Indian version has its ground clearance increased but that has not robbed anything from the stance.

 More than the exterior, the interior impressed us more though. This does not look like the "most affordable Mercedes sedan" and very much is high quality along with the same attention to detail you find in an E-Class or C-Class with open pore wood trim and a pleasing dual-tone look. In-fact we prefer the A-Class cabin to the C-class! The air vent design is cool as well (with a turbine design) along with the twin screens including a 10.25inch fully digital instrument cluster and the main central screen. Mercedes will provide a fully loaded model and no basic variant at all. Hence you get the latest MBUX infotainment system, connected car technology, wireless charging plus a two-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, haptic feedback controls, 64 colour ambient lighting and more. The main screen has a HD display and it looks stunning with the display quality while you can use the voice assistance too via the phrase "Hey Mercedes". You can also configure your smartphone to be connected via Alexa and Google home and access various functions of the car!

Despite being called a "Limousine" in its name, the A-Class is not exactly as roomy as you think but its more spacious and comfortable than its immediate rival and perhaps even the C-Class and other luxury cars positioned a segment above. Honestly, it is not a "limo" at the back but is vastly better than the CLA sedan it replaces. There are four cylinder petrol and diesel engines while the diesel is more powerful at 150 bhp and 320Nm. The petrol is smaller in size but packs in a decent 163 bhp and 200Nm. The petrol gets a 7-speed DCT and delivers 17.5 kmpl. The diesel has a 8-speed DCT and delivers 21.35 kmpl- which is a very good fuel economy number. Unlike the C-Class or the rest of the Mercedes sedans, the A-Class is front wheel drive. If you want power there is also the A35 AMG which makes 306 bhp and 400Nm along with having four wheel drive.

We expect pricing of the A-Class Limousine to be below the Rs 40 lakh mark or around that same figure, which makes the A-Class Limousine a fine purchase especially for those taking the luxury car plunge for the first time. Overall, it's a well packaged luxury car that also doubles up on its value quotient.

What we like - Looks, features, quality, technology

What we do not - Not quite as spacious as we hoped for.