2016 Mercedes-Benz A180 review
Robert Pepper’s 2016 Mercedes-Benz A180 review with pricing, specs, ride and handling, safety, verdict and score.
In a nutshell: The A180 might be the smallest and cheapest Mercedes-Benz, but it’s definitely a medium-sized city hatch aimed at the upper end of the market.
2016Â Mercedes-Benz A180Â
Price : from $37,200 (plus ORC); Warranty :Â three-year, unlimited kilometres; Safety :Â five-star ANCAP 2016Â (35.8 / 37); Engine : 1.6L 4-cyl 90kW @ 5000rpm, 200Nm @ 1250-4000rpm Transmission : seven-speed DCT automatic; front wheel drive; Body : 4299mm (L); 1780mm (W); 1433mm (H); wheelbase 2699mm;Â Turning Circle : 11.0m;Â 0-100: approx. 8.6 seconds; Top Speed : 202km/h;Â Seats : 5; Tare Weight :Â 1395kg (unladen); Towing : 695kg unbraked, 1200kg braked; Fuel Tank : 50 litres; Spare : none; Thirst : 5.8L/100km ADR81/02 combined cycle; Fuel : petrol (95 RON)
Editor's Rating
THE A-CLASS is the entry into the smallest Mercedes-Benz range, and the A180 is the cheapest A-class. But this is Mercedes-Benz, so ‘entry level’ doesn’t mean basic. If we start with the looks then the Mercedes is different to the mainstream; just look at that front end. There’s also something about saying you drive a Mercedes that gives an impression different to saying you drive a Hyundai or Toyota.Â
This is the third-generation A-Class, introduced in 2012 as the W176 model, and it’s ditched the boxy, upright mini-SUV design of the previous two versions for this far more svelte look. Boxiness is now left to the B-Class.
We have reviewed the top-of-the-range AMG A45 here, and much of that review is applicable to the smaller car.
Room & Practicality
After living with the car for a week the summary is that there’s no annoyances, plenty of usable features but it’s not top of the line practical with any features that are outstandingly clever.
On the inside
Performance, Ride and Handling
The A180 is, like virtually all modern cars, an easy drive. It is smoother and more refined than many of its competitors; the gearchanges are seamless, power is smooth and the handling is neutral.
The experience is marred only by the steering which is over-assisted at times, deadening the feel. Despite having a mere 90kW the A180 never feels slow (0-100 is 8.6 seconds) and it’s happy to cruise at, say, 50km/h almost at idle in the 6th of its 7th gears, giving the car an easy feeling of waftability, even though it’s no lightweight at nearly 1400kg unladen. The gearbox also subtly chooses and maintains gears appropriate for descents so there’s often barely any need to brake on hills, leading to a nice and relaxed drive.

The turning circle is acceptable but not impressive at 11m, but is mitigated by an excellent reversing camera with two views, and front/rear parking sensors with both lights and audio warnings. If you want the car to parallel-park itself it will do so, and that works effectively and intuitively. The eco/stop start (idle/stop start) isn’t too intrusive and doesn’t delay getaways, but people that don’t like it will still switch it off. The parkbrake is electronic, and disconnects automatically when you drive off and there’s hill start assist too.
Safety
- COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS – detects a potential collision, warns driver, supports emergency braking
- PRE-SAFE – detects that you’re about to crash, tightens seatbelts, closes windows, does other things to prepare
- ATTENTION ASSIST – driver drowsiness monitoring system
Pricing & Equipment
- 1.6L 90kW 200Nm engine, 7-speed auto, front wheel drive, 5.8L/100km
- Keyless start (not keyless entry)
- Automatic parking (parallel only)
- Reversing camera
- Satnav
- Blind spot assist
- 17″ wheels
- Idle stop/start
- A200: 1.6L 115kW 250Nm petrol engine, 7-speed auto, front wheel drive, 5.8L/100km
- A200 d : 2.1L 100kW 300Nm diesel engine, 7-speed auto, front wheel drive, 4.2L/100km Â
- 18″ wheels
- Electric fold-in mirrors
- Two-pipe exhaust
- 2.0L 160kW 350Nm engine, 7-speed auto, all wheel drive, 6.7L/100km
- AMG bodykit
- AMG adaptive suspension
- LED headlamps
- Keyless entry
- Sunroof
- Ambient lighting
- 2.0L 280kW 475Nm engine, 7-speed auto, all wheel drive, 7.3L/100km
- AMG Dynamic Select driving modes
- Ambient lighting
- COMAND online Internet system
- 19″ wheels
Makes the new Civic’s 1.5 litre turbo more impressive at 127kw, 220nm, and to 100 in 7.5 secs.