Mercedes-Benz Review Roundup: S320 CDI, A-Class And B180 CDI
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[06/02/2008] This weekend's Mercedes reviews are in, and despite the fact that two of the models tested were recently the beneficiaries of mid-life updates, both were still given less-than-stellar endorsements from those that tested them. Although the Mercedes S320 CDI managed to capture four out of a possible five stars, the A-Class and B-Class models tested were ranked with three stars and two stars (again out of a possible five), respectively.
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This weekend's Mercedes reviews are in, and despite the fact that two of the models tested were recently the beneficiaries of mid-life updates, both were still given less-than-stellar endorsements from those that tested them. Although the Mercedes S320 CDI managed to capture four out of a possible five stars, the A-Class and B-Class models tested were ranked with three stars and two stars (again out of a possible five), respectively.
As for why the models were ranked as they were, that you'll have to read the rest of our Review Roundup to find out. As always, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the full articles immediately below.
Enjoy.
Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI (via Carpoint.com.au)
Reviewer's rating: four stars
"The S 320 CDI is Mercedes-Benz's first diesel offering for the S-Class range in Australia; the sole oiler alongside the petrol V6, V8 and V12 S models. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine lines up with its petrol equivalent at the slightly-more affordable end of the range and takes to six the total number of engine options for the S-Class.
Not surprisingly, the S 320 is also the most frugal option in the line-up with fuel consumption rated at 8.3L/100km. Also fitted with a diesel particulate filter, its C02 emissions rating is claimed at 220g/km. The car meets Euro IV emissions standards. Perhaps more interesting are its output figures: the 3.0-litre common-rail direct-injection diesel engine is good for 173kW at 3800rpm and 540Nm, available from 1600rpm to 2800rpm.
It'll take more than the brief launch drive around Sydney's CBD to constitute a full road test, but the diesel model's drivetrain immediately impressed for its responsiveness and orderly delivery. M-B has also done a complete job suppressing diesel engine 'clatter', but dare we say it, the S 320 even sounds good.
As you'd expect from a luxury saloon, the S 320's ride is compliant and quiet over roads as broken-up as Sydney's, and stable through corners. Braking is equally smooth and under harder braking, the big Benz remains composed and level."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (via Channel 4)
Reviewer's rating: three stars
The high driving position gives a good view of the road ahead, and the relatively narrow, sloping windscreen pillars do not obstruct vision - unusual, these days. With the A-Class's wheel-at-each-corner stance and short overhangs, it's easy to judge its length and place it into a parking space, but if parking's not your strong suit, the (optional) Active Park Assist system can take over. This sizes up the space using ultrasonic sensors, sorts out the steering into it, and all the driver needs to do is work the accelerator and brakes. Also new is hill start assist in manual models, to prevent you rolling backwards.
The natural environment for the A-Class is in the city, but it's perfectly capable of holding its own on the open road. Its adaptive suspension copes well when pushing on harder, and body roll is well-contained; standard stability control (ESP) guards against a repeat of the infamous 'elk test' rollover which embarrassed the 1999 original. The A-Class is hardly a hot hatch, but it's more rewarding a drive than you'd think. The speed-sensitive power steering draws a good balance between around-town lightness and feedback when going faster.
Mercedes isn't going to import the speedy A200 Turbo (193bhp) to the UK, but the A180 CDI diesel (109bhp, 184lb ft) is a fine alternative range-topper. It does 116mph and 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox, and is only marginally slower with the responsive, smooth and easy-to-use Autotronic CVT transmission: 112mph and 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds. The A160 CDI (with the same 2.0-litre engine as the A180, but tuned for 82bhp and 133lb ft) has less impressive figures - 106mph and 0-62 in 15 seconds with five-speed manual, 102mph and 0-62 in 15.3 seconds with Autotronic - but should prove perfectly adequate for most buyers' needs."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz A170 (via Car)
Reviewer's rating: three stars
"Isn’t there some stop/start tech too? Yes. From autumn 2008, both the A- and B-class petrol engine models – the 150 and 170 units – will become the first within the Mercedes range to get fuel-saving ECO ‘stop/start’ technology. Driving the A170 in suitably ‘stop and go’ Berlin traffic and given prior experience of BMW and other makers’ systems, we thought we knew what to expect. We were wrong.
Unlike BMW’s system that cuts out when the car is put into neutral at low-speed coasting, Merc’s version requires the driver to keep a foot on the brake. It starts again when the clutch is pressed or the brake pedal released. The technology will become standard on the two models in the UK and can, Mercedes says, reduce fuel consumption by 9 percent – or about 3.5mpg – giving the A170 ECO stop/start a 46.3mpg rating.
But keeping a foot on the brake when stuck in traffic for a minute or more feels weird and a little uncomfortable – especially for a manual gearbox car – and as soon as you take your foot off the brake the engine fires up again. Merc won’t offer it on diesel versions just yet as the firm says diesel stop/start is trickier to engineer on its system while still reaching meaningful emission and economy gains. But haven’t BMW and Mini managed it on their systems?
Also standard is the very average drive. Barely changed since the previous model, the new A-class's 116bhp 1.7-litre petrol engine feels far from lively, the suspension is ‘bobbly’ over uneven surfaces and the steering detached. All round it’s no match for the Ford C-Max and its ilk."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI (via Car)
Reviewer's rating: two stars
"Exterior changes are small, but the front end gets a slightly better-looking three-louvre matt silver grille with chrome trim and a redesigned bumper to accommodate a large lower air intake. At the back a useful polished stainless steel scratch protection bumper has been added. On the inside brushed aluminium accents lift the otherwise austere interior. Not very different, is it?
Is the new B any better to drive? Not really. Changes here have been minimal. The B180 CDI tested – which currently takes over a third of B-class registrations – feeds back serious vibrations and noise to the cabin, while its 109bhp never feels able to get the car anywhere fast. Especially when teamed up with the lacklustre CVT auto box – which accounts for almost 70 percent of B-class sales.
The car still feels unsettlingly high-sided with a ‘bobbly’ ride and detached steering. Economy has been improved though, to a creditable 50.4mpg and 148g/km CO2 – great for a diesel auto. The 140bhp B200 CDI is punchier and the two petrol units will at least get some fuel-saving ECO ‘stop/start’ technology from October 2008 as part of Mercedes’ ‘Blue Efficiency’ programme. Overall, the B-class is still one of Mercedes’ weakest products – easily outflanked by the smart Honda FR-V with its extra seat, greater flexibility and cheaper price. Don't do it."
As for why the models were ranked as they were, that you'll have to read the rest of our Review Roundup to find out. As always, you can find excerpts from each review as well as links back to the full articles immediately below.
Enjoy.
Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI (via Carpoint.com.au)
Reviewer's rating: four stars
"The S 320 CDI is Mercedes-Benz's first diesel offering for the S-Class range in Australia; the sole oiler alongside the petrol V6, V8 and V12 S models. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine lines up with its petrol equivalent at the slightly-more affordable end of the range and takes to six the total number of engine options for the S-Class.
Not surprisingly, the S 320 is also the most frugal option in the line-up with fuel consumption rated at 8.3L/100km. Also fitted with a diesel particulate filter, its C02 emissions rating is claimed at 220g/km. The car meets Euro IV emissions standards. Perhaps more interesting are its output figures: the 3.0-litre common-rail direct-injection diesel engine is good for 173kW at 3800rpm and 540Nm, available from 1600rpm to 2800rpm.
It'll take more than the brief launch drive around Sydney's CBD to constitute a full road test, but the diesel model's drivetrain immediately impressed for its responsiveness and orderly delivery. M-B has also done a complete job suppressing diesel engine 'clatter', but dare we say it, the S 320 even sounds good.
As you'd expect from a luxury saloon, the S 320's ride is compliant and quiet over roads as broken-up as Sydney's, and stable through corners. Braking is equally smooth and under harder braking, the big Benz remains composed and level."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (via Channel 4)
Reviewer's rating: three stars
The high driving position gives a good view of the road ahead, and the relatively narrow, sloping windscreen pillars do not obstruct vision - unusual, these days. With the A-Class's wheel-at-each-corner stance and short overhangs, it's easy to judge its length and place it into a parking space, but if parking's not your strong suit, the (optional) Active Park Assist system can take over. This sizes up the space using ultrasonic sensors, sorts out the steering into it, and all the driver needs to do is work the accelerator and brakes. Also new is hill start assist in manual models, to prevent you rolling backwards.
The natural environment for the A-Class is in the city, but it's perfectly capable of holding its own on the open road. Its adaptive suspension copes well when pushing on harder, and body roll is well-contained; standard stability control (ESP) guards against a repeat of the infamous 'elk test' rollover which embarrassed the 1999 original. The A-Class is hardly a hot hatch, but it's more rewarding a drive than you'd think. The speed-sensitive power steering draws a good balance between around-town lightness and feedback when going faster.
Mercedes isn't going to import the speedy A200 Turbo (193bhp) to the UK, but the A180 CDI diesel (109bhp, 184lb ft) is a fine alternative range-topper. It does 116mph and 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox, and is only marginally slower with the responsive, smooth and easy-to-use Autotronic CVT transmission: 112mph and 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds. The A160 CDI (with the same 2.0-litre engine as the A180, but tuned for 82bhp and 133lb ft) has less impressive figures - 106mph and 0-62 in 15 seconds with five-speed manual, 102mph and 0-62 in 15.3 seconds with Autotronic - but should prove perfectly adequate for most buyers' needs."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz A170 (via Car)
Reviewer's rating: three stars
"Isn’t there some stop/start tech too? Yes. From autumn 2008, both the A- and B-class petrol engine models – the 150 and 170 units – will become the first within the Mercedes range to get fuel-saving ECO ‘stop/start’ technology. Driving the A170 in suitably ‘stop and go’ Berlin traffic and given prior experience of BMW and other makers’ systems, we thought we knew what to expect. We were wrong.
Unlike BMW’s system that cuts out when the car is put into neutral at low-speed coasting, Merc’s version requires the driver to keep a foot on the brake. It starts again when the clutch is pressed or the brake pedal released. The technology will become standard on the two models in the UK and can, Mercedes says, reduce fuel consumption by 9 percent – or about 3.5mpg – giving the A170 ECO stop/start a 46.3mpg rating.
But keeping a foot on the brake when stuck in traffic for a minute or more feels weird and a little uncomfortable – especially for a manual gearbox car – and as soon as you take your foot off the brake the engine fires up again. Merc won’t offer it on diesel versions just yet as the firm says diesel stop/start is trickier to engineer on its system while still reaching meaningful emission and economy gains. But haven’t BMW and Mini managed it on their systems?
Also standard is the very average drive. Barely changed since the previous model, the new A-class's 116bhp 1.7-litre petrol engine feels far from lively, the suspension is ‘bobbly’ over uneven surfaces and the steering detached. All round it’s no match for the Ford C-Max and its ilk."
Read Full Review »
Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI (via Car)
Reviewer's rating: two stars
"Exterior changes are small, but the front end gets a slightly better-looking three-louvre matt silver grille with chrome trim and a redesigned bumper to accommodate a large lower air intake. At the back a useful polished stainless steel scratch protection bumper has been added. On the inside brushed aluminium accents lift the otherwise austere interior. Not very different, is it?
Is the new B any better to drive? Not really. Changes here have been minimal. The B180 CDI tested – which currently takes over a third of B-class registrations – feeds back serious vibrations and noise to the cabin, while its 109bhp never feels able to get the car anywhere fast. Especially when teamed up with the lacklustre CVT auto box – which accounts for almost 70 percent of B-class sales.
The car still feels unsettlingly high-sided with a ‘bobbly’ ride and detached steering. Economy has been improved though, to a creditable 50.4mpg and 148g/km CO2 – great for a diesel auto. The 140bhp B200 CDI is punchier and the two petrol units will at least get some fuel-saving ECO ‘stop/start’ technology from October 2008 as part of Mercedes’ ‘Blue Efficiency’ programme. Overall, the B-class is still one of Mercedes’ weakest products – easily outflanked by the smart Honda FR-V with its extra seat, greater flexibility and cheaper price. Don't do it."
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