Mercedes A 200 vs Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf ~ station of gear

With a fresh look and new engine, the revised Mercedes A-Class diesel takes the fight to Audi and VW rivals

2016-01-11 21:00

The Mercedes A-Class has been an alternative choice in the compact executive hatch sector ever since the third-generation model was launched in 2012. With its sporty bodywork and neat detailing, it looks the part, but has failed to upset the front runners in the class.

Now the A-Class range has been updated, with revised looks, a new model line-up and different engines under the bonnet. Here we test one of the new additions to the range – the A 200d. It replaces the A200 CDI and is equipped with a new, more efficient diesel engine.

• Best hatchbacks to buy right now

But competition in this market is fierce, and we’ve lined up two rivals that will provide a stern challenge. First up is the Audi A3 Sportback. This five-door has a slightly longer body than the three-door, boosting versatility, while the 2.0 TDI diesel blends pace and economy well.

Our final contender, the Volkswagen Golf, shares the same platform as the Audi. We tried the new Match Edition model, promising good value for money.

Can the new Mercedes prevail over its already strong rivals, or is this update too little, too late for the German hatch?

Image 6 of 25

Image 6 of 25

Head to head

Park assist

All three cars can be upgraded with hands-free parking aids. VW’s set-up looks a bargain at £150 as it uses the standard front and rear sensors, while Mercedes’ system costs £675 and the Audi’s set-up is a hefty £835.

The A-Class gets a standard reversing camera, which features a wide-angle setting for help with tight manoeuvres.

Gearboxes

Usually, adding an auto has a detrimental effect on emissions. Sure enough, the A3 and Golf see increases of 11g/km and 2g/km respectively, but the Mercedes’ seven-speed auto cuts the CO2 output. The figure drops from 111g/km for the six-speed manual to 103g/km in our test model.

Option packs

Mercedes bundles kit such as LED headlights and adaptive cruise into Premium and Premium Plus packs, which cost £1,695 and £2,995 respectively.

The A3 and Golf also have options packs, but there is more scope to add extras individually.

Verdict

First place: Volkswagen Golf

Image 4 of 25

Image 4 of 25

The Dieselgate scandal is giving Volkswagen’s corporate reputation a hammering, but look beyond the headlines and it’s still building great cars – and the Golf remains a front-runner in the class. It delivers executive-style quality at a great-value price, while this Match Edition is generously equipped. Add an engaging chassis and punchy diesel, and it edges ahead of its rivals here.

Second place: Audi A3

Image 3 of 25

Image 3 of 25

Like the Golf, the A3 Sportback provides a more involving driving experience and punchy performance than the A-Class, while it edges further ahead with its more spacious cabin, better dash layout and more practical boot. However, only a badge snob would overlook the price difference between the Audi and the VW, especially as the former comes with less kit.

Third place: Mercedes A 200

Image 2 of 25

Image 2 of 25

The A 200d is an improvement over the model it replaces, and thanks to its low emissions it’s the best choice for company car buyers keeping an eye on the bottom line. However, while it looks sporty, it’s not very entertaining to drive, and the Mercedes’ lack of space remains an issue. Consider, too, that you get less kit than the cheaper Golf, and the A-Class finishes third.

Other options in this category...

Lexus CT 200h Sport

Price: £25,495
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 134bhp

Look at the bare figures, and company car users could save a packet over our diesel test cars with the hybrid CT 200h. Sport trim brings nav, Bluetooth and a sunroof. Just don’t expect any driving fun with your 94g/km emissions

BMW 118d Sport auto

Price: £24,795
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 150bhp

The 1 Series was recently facelifted, and the 118d diesel is as efficient as the A 200d. You also get a decent amount of kit, including DAB radio, while the rear-wheel-drive layout and agile responses mean it’s a lot more involving to drive.

Figures

	Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI (150) DSG Match Edition	Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI (150) Sport Nav S tronic	Mercedes A 200d Sport DCT
On the road price/total as tested	£24,840/£26,670	£25,965/£29,930	£25,660/£28,350
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)	£11,774/47.4%	£12,126/46.7%	£12,471/48.6%
Depreciation	£13,066	£13,839	£13,189
Annual tax liability std/higher rate	£1,041/£2,082	£1,088/£2,176	£922/£1,844
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)	£1,200/£1,999	£1,274/£2,123	£1,207/£2,012
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost	16/£592/C/£30	23/£685/C/£30	21/£561/B/£20
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service	£288 (2yrs)	£159/£309/£159	£24p/m

Length/wheelbase	4,255/2,637mm	4,310/2,636mm	4,299/2,699mm
Height/width	1,452/1,799mm	1,425/1,785mm	1,433/1,780mm
Engine	4cyl in-line/1,968cc	4cyl in-line/1,968cc	4cyl in-line/2,143cc
Peak power/revs	148/3,500 bhp/rpm	148/3,500 bhp/rpm	134/3,200 bhp/rpm
Peak torque/revs	340/1,750 Nm/rpm	340/1,750 Nm/rpm	300/1,400 Nm/rpm
Transmission	6-spd auto/fwd	6-spd auto/fwd	7-spd auto/fwd
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel	50 litres/space saver	50 litres/£255	50 litres/repair kit
Boot capacity (seats up/down)	380/1,270 litres	380/1,220 litres	341/1,157 litres
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight	1,375/580/1,500kg	1,320/560/1,600kg	1,485/525/1,500kg
Turning circle	10.9 metres	10.7 metres	11.0 metres
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery	3yrs (60,000)/3yrs	3yrs (60,000)/3yrs	3yrs (unlimited)/3yrs
Service intervals/UK dealers	Variable/223	Variable/121	Variable/136
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos	22nd/30th	13th/25th	11th/21st
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars	94/89/65/5 (2012)	95/87/74/5 (2012)	93/81/67/5 (2012)

0-60/30-70mph	8.5/7.9 secs	8.1/7.5 secs	8.8/8.4 secs
30-50mph in 3rd/4th	3.1/4.4 secs	3.1/5.1 secs	3.2/3.9 secs
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th	6.6/8.6 secs/N/A	7.1/10.2 secs/N/A	5.8/7.9/10.6 secs
Top speed/rpm at 70mph	133mph/2,100rpm	135mph/1,900rpm	130mph/1,900rpm
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph	50.2/31.4/10.8m	51.6/35.8/10.0m	54.8/35.8/10.8m
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range	48.2/10.6/530 miles	45.4/10.0/499 miles	47.9/10.5/527 miles
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	54.3/68.9/62.8mpg	53.3/68.9/62.8mpg	61.4/83.1/74.3mpg
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined	11.9/15.2/13.8mpl	11.7/15.2/13.8mpl	13.5/18.3/16.3mpl
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket	157/117g/km/21%	167/119g/km/21%	158/103g/km/18%

Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera	Seven/yes/yes/£165	Seven/yes/£345/£275	Seven/yes/£675/yes
Automatic box/stability/cruise ctrl	Yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/£225	Yes/yes/£425
Climate control/leather/heated seats	£415/£2,115/yes	Yes/£1,115/£295	Yes/man-made/£995
Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go	£540/£820/£365	£550/£1,250/£425	£575/£1,695*/£2,995
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetoot	Yes/yes/yes/yes	Yes/yes/yes/yes	£495/yes/£420/yes

Thank you for reading the article about Mercedes A 200 vs Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf in blog station of gear If this article was helpful please bookmark this page in your web browser by pressing Ctrl + D on your keyboard keys.