Mercedes-Benz A-Class Now Available In South Africa
The Mercedes-Benz compact vehicle range gains an all-new family member in South Africa following the introduction of the new A-Class Sedan.
"The 2019 COTY winning A-Class Hatch continues to grow from strength to strength. The A-Class Hatch, launched late in 2018 has been joined in 2019 by the new B-Class, the new CLA and now the new A-Class Sedan. This is in response to the wishes of many customers that require a compact sedan for small families” says Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa. "The introduction of the A-Class Sedan enables the brand an opportunity to target different audience segments“.
The A-Class Sedan and CLA were launched at the same time, and you can find out what makes them different each other in this article, but where the CLA strives for a more high performance look, the A-Class sedan takes a more practical approach. However, just because its practical it doesn’t mean it can’t look sporty. The A-Class Sedan reaffirms this by boasting one of the best aerodynamic figures of the entire Mercedes-Benz range thanks to clever use of air flow around the car and a shutter system in the grille that opens and closes when necessary. As a result, the aerodynamics help improve fuel economy and overall efficiency of the car.
The subtle sportiness is echoed around the rest of the A-Class Sedan. The bold wheel arches provide an enclosure for alloys that range from 17-inch all the way up to 19-inches, while the rear end flaunts a black diffuser with chrome detailing and chrome tail pipes. If that’s not enough, Mercedes-Benz will let you get creative with the host of packages and options available, such as the Night Package, on either the Progressive or AMG Line.
Just like the exterior, the interior of the A-Class Sedan is also available with a wide range of packages and options to suit every buyers demands. The Leather Package fills the cabin with premium leather in various colour combinations. A lot of the technology featured in the A-Class Sedan is actually borrowed from the S-Class, like 64-colour ambient lighting, the latest MBUX system, the turbine-inspired air vents and the floating dashboard. A pair of 7-inch screens are fitted as standard, stretching across the dashboard, while a pair of larger 10-25-inch displays are available on the options list.
There are only two engine options available in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan at launch, which is the entry-level A200 and the A250 Sport. Both models are equipped with an automatic transmission and a suspension that features Dynamic Select, allowing drivers to toggle between Eco, Comfort and Sport mode on demand. The Mercedes A200 makes use of a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque, while the A250 Sport uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol motor to produce 165kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
Pricing:
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 200 - R533 400
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 250 Sport - R604 800
FAQ
Q: What does the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan cost in South Africa?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan starts from around R450,000 for the base A200 model, while the A250 variant kicks off at approximately R520,000 depending on your chosen specification and options package.
Q: Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan worth buying?
The A-Class Sedan offers excellent value as an entry-level luxury compact sedan with premium Mercedes-Benz build quality, advanced tech features, and strong resale value, making it a solid choice for buyers wanting German luxury without the hefty price tag.
Q: What's the difference between the A-Class Sedan and CLA in South Africa?
The A-Class Sedan focuses on practicality with better rear passenger space and a more traditional sedan shape, while the CLA prioritises sporty styling with a coupe-like roofline and performance-oriented design at a similar price point.
Q: What engine options are available in the A-Class Sedan?
The A-Class Sedan comes with turbocharged petrol engines including a 1.3-litre unit producing 120kW in the A200, and a more powerful 2.0-litre engine delivering 165kW in the A250 variant.
Q: Does the Mercedes A-Class Sedan have good fuel economy?
Yes, the A-Class Sedan achieves excellent fuel consumption figures of around 5.5 to 6.2 litres per 100km thanks to its aerodynamic design and efficient turbocharged engines with clever grille shutters.
Should You Buy It?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is absolutely worth buying if you're after the best compact luxury sedan under R600,000 in South Africa. Starting from R450,000, it delivers genuine Mercedes-Benz quality, impressive fuel economy, and enough tech to make your mates jealous at the next braai. The A200 offers the sweet spot for most buyers, giving you that three-pointed star prestige without breaking the bank. Sure, it's not the most spacious sedan in its class, but the premium interior, solid build quality, and strong resale value make it a smart buy for young professionals or small families wanting to step into luxury motoring. Just avoid going crazy with the options list, or you'll quickly find yourself in C-Class territory price-wise.
