The Drive Report: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A200 Limousine

The changes to the 2023 edition are incremental at most. It’s essentially a more streamlined and sleeker version of its former self, with a few more conveniences thrown-in to make it a bit contemporary in the face of stiff (and considerably cheaper) competition.

There’s much about the Mercedes-Benz A200 L that continues to perplex. First, there's the use of the term “Limousine” which can be described as generous at best, given that the A sedan continues to serve as a gateway to the exclusive Mercedes-Benz brand. Few Mercs in India have witnessed such a drastic transformation as the A-Class.

Once a tall, ovular hatchback, unfailingly dedicated to practicality, it’s now a handsome sedan with a visual character far more distinct than that of the C, E and S-Class which are all Russian doll-like derivatives of the same design philosophy. But with dwindling sedan sales, and shrunken cubic capacity, the A200 has been stuck between a rock and a hard place for some time. What remains to be seen is if a few new design embellishments can heighten its appeal. And if so, then to what extent?

Design

Be it in sedan or hatchback form, the A200 is a very well-proportioned machine.

In fact, in the metal, it’s hard to understand why a majority of consumers opt for its SUV sibling, the GLA, which remains one of Merc’s biggest sellers in India. There’s no design excess on either car, but the A200’s swooping shoulder-line, furrowed brow and smooth edges contrasted with sharp bonnet creases make it the superior design.

The changes to the 2023 edition are incremental at most. It’s essentially a sleeker version of its former self, with a few more conveniences thrown in to make it a bit more contemporary in the face of stiff (and considerably cheaper) competition.

The LED strips on the headlamps are now truncated, so they don’t run along the sides of the headlamp unit like before. The unitary chrome bar on the honeycomb grille is also a tad slimmer, with the bumper air-intakes also having been given a makeover. The star-shaped 17-inch alloys now get a twin-spoke setup, but you’d have to look real close to pick up all the visual changes. This facelift flies under the radar more stealthily than an SR-71 Blackbird.

New tech

The most noticeable change is the inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and the exclusion of a touchpad on the centre console.

The changes on the inside are purely evolutionary too.

However, Merc has compensated for the latter by making the buttons on the redesigned steering wheel touch sensitive, which allows for easier accessibility.

And if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s always the 10.25-inch touchscreen popping out of the dash. The dual-screen setup, which encompasses half the dashboard, remains unchanged and proves to be more than sufficient, even preferable, when compared to king-sized touch screens that will, no doubt, replace this one by the time the next model arrives. Where Merc has missed a trick is in supplanting the centre console touchpad with a rubber pad that can, optimistically, hold a small smartphone but not much else.

The car also comes with electrically powered front seats, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and a more powerful type-C USB port. Things that continue to remain missing are features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera, both of which are staples in top-end versions of entry-level luxury cars in the country today. The 10.25-inch duo of screens span half the length of the dashboard. In many ways, it's a setup I prefer to the plethora of extra-large touch screens out there that can often prove distracting.

ADAS features include a very enthusiastic automated emergency braking system, which is best left turned off on city roads.

Performance

It’s not an overstatement to call the Renault-derived 1.3-litre turbo-petrol the weakest link in Merc’s otherwise impeccably reinforced armour. Sure, it’s got more (combined) power than any other 1.3-litre four-pot unit (161 hp) but despite being aided by a starter generator, it feels strained and overworked on the highway. The 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox is seamless enough and does its utmost to work within the constraints of the engine.

The engine is at its chattiest early in the rev range, with the gearbox working through the first two gears in quick succession. In the city, the A200 feels quick and eager, with a healthy mid-range delivering sufficient power to cover short stretches and perform brisk overtakes.

While the ride quality is on the stiff side, what really stands out is just how well bolstered and comfortable the front seats are. Even during long hauls on the highway, the A200 surprises with how optimal the lumbar support offered by the front seats is. Although it demands constant engagement and a fervent pursuit of the meaty bit of the power band, the A200 proves to be fun around corners, reminding you, once again, of the inherent dynamism and appeal of a low-slung sedan. But it is thankfully not low enough to constantly scrape the bottom of bulbous speed breakers.

Verdict

Its steep price tag of Rs 45.8 lakh is certainly a deterrent for many, but for the rapidly diminishing but loyal tribe of sedan enthusiasts who wish to enter the highly exclusive three-pointed star club, the A200 is it. Its sleek proportions, sharp handling and updated features boost its appeal considerably. Is it perfect? Not quite.

For starters, it could really benefit from a bigger motor, and it continues to have a few niggles with its fit and finish that are incongruent with the sort of interior quality that Mercedes-Benz is known for. Still, the A200 makes a heroic effort to fly the sedan flag in the face of potential extinction, with its eagerness, its frugality and its athletic proportions.