Had the new A220 sedan overnight

"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
02/14/2019 at 16:25 • Filed to: None

“Hey Mercedes, tell me a joke”

“I’m sorry, my engineers were German”

H onestly was expecting a worse version of the CLA with a slightly nicer interior. What I experienced was way better than a CLA in every way.

The interior is nicer. The transmission is smoother. The voice control, while not as good as Siri, is still pretty good, like on a level with a smartphone instead of on a level with a car. It has real buttons. But it also has touchpads, which I still strongly dislike but they’re better than the previous version as seen in 205's etc.

Another huge improvement, you can actually see out of it unlike the CLA with it’s stupid roofline and B-pillars too far forward.

It’s not fast, but it also doesn’t feel slow. The ride is better than a CLA. Handling was fine, I guess. Nothing too inspiring. But it had the skinny 17's with all season tires and some sidewall. I’m sure a different wheel and tire package would improve it significantly. It was still agile and fun enough though.

The augmented reality navigation was cool. It uses a forward facing camera to display the road ahead on the center screen and overlays direction arrows, street names, and house numbers over that image.

You can control pretty much any vehicle function easily with voice control. Even something like c hanging ambient lighting brightness and color. Power sunshade. Whatever.

I had it navigate to multiple locations just by saying their names and it would quickly pull them up without trouble or confusion. The telematics in this car are a huge leap forward for us. I didn’t even feel the need for Apple car play or Android auto.

It’s not perfect, but it finally feels like we have an entry level car that’s worth the money (as long as you don’t get it fully loaded, that’ll easily top $45k, my tester was right at $35k).

DISCUSSION (31)

For Sweden > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 16:28

The A220 is good actually

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 16:48

I’m l ooking forward to an AMG version of this with a hatch. Even if in the US that means it has to be a GLA.

412GTI > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 16:58

That’s good to hear, the last CLA was so No Bueno. I always recommended the A3 instead.

Kinja'd!!!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/14/2019 at 17:18

I’m thinking the 35 version would be a great balance between ownership costs and fun. 45's require frequent fluid and filter changes, brakes and tires are more expensive. A level below that would be sweet.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 17:37

Its encouraging that Mercedes is moving away from the nightmare box that is the CLA/GLA. I really want to like the A class, it’s attractive but probably won’t sell.

Side note: I’m hating my gf’s Honda and am in need of something RWD-based. M ost reliable / best modern Mercedes around $15k: go!

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 17:43

On paper I really like the current 45 with the dynamic package that adds the front LSD. Not that I’m in the market for a new car anytime soon but it’s at the top of my hypothetical list. The alternative is a 2 car combo of the upcoming new version of the Kia Soul turbo and a project NC Miata Cl ub power hardtop. I'm weird.

feather-throttle-not-hair > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 17:43

The unibrow screen thing Mercedes is doing with their interiors makes me irrationally angry.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
02/14/2019 at 18:34

CLA/GLA are actually pretty reliable. Interiors are just more typical of a car half their cost. Transmission could stand to operate a bit more smoothly.

08-09 E-class. 2000-2002 E-class. 10-up E-class. Pretty much avoid anything from 03-08. Avoid air suspension, unless it's rear only. Avoid convertibles. I'm not mentioning C-class because 203's are bland as hell, and 08-11 204's are showing their age pretty bad. 12 and meet will be out of your price range unless you find something ratty. I'm partial to 210 and 212 E's. Both fantastic. Always get a pre purchase inspection from someone familiar with the car. Always get the best one you can afford, and remember that service history makes all the difference in the world.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/14/2019 at 18:36

45's are tons of fun. And reliable to boot. Have you driven one?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > feather-throttle-not-hair
02/14/2019 at 18:37

I think they’re kind of neat. Better than the standard tacked-on- tablet approach.

feather-throttle-not-hair > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 18:59

Yeah, the tacked on tablet one is even more head scratching for me, but its basically ubiquitous now . I just think all of these things are going to look terrible much much sooner than we think. Every tablet i’ve ever had has slowed down after like 2 years of ownership and really, a touchscreen is much worse to use while driving than a hard button.

Buuuut that’s all opinion, and pretty clearly the minority opinion as far as consumers are concerned. Can’t blame Mercedes for chasing the money.

V12 Jake II- New and Improved! > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 19:06

I was hoping the A Class would be good, and from everything I’ve read it’s looking like a giant step up from the CLA. MBUX looks promising as well, although based on the recent W223 spy shot it’ll be interesting to see how it’s integrated into the next generation of cars.

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 19:58

Nope, but for my next car, if it’s only one car, I want an extra- hot hatch with Android Auto, an LSD, and without leather seats .

The Veloster N is cool but I hate the visibility, the back seat is small, and there’s no sunroof or heated seats.

The Civic Type R is faster, roomier, and you can see out of it but still no sunroof and heated seats.

So my perfect car is a GLA45 with MB-TEX, pano roof, and dynamic package. I kinda even like the stupid aero package because might as well have it look extra silly.

The X2 M35i in theory also ticks all my boxes as long as it has whatever BMW calls its vinyl seats but it’s fugly and BMW still doesn’t have Android Auto so screw them.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 21:22

Any reason why the convertibles are less reliable, other than top-related issues? I was actually leaning toward a E350 convertible or an E93.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > feather-throttle-not-hair
02/14/2019 at 22:01

I’m glad our stuff hasn't gone to touchscreen. Feel the same as you on that. We have some touch pads, but they don't require you to move your hands from places they would normally be. This car has two little ones in the steering wheel that can control everything. But I love that it has real buttons for a lot of functions too.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 22:13

I never liked the CLA. I always looked at it as an ugly, frumpy, cheaply made car for people who cared about the badge on their car above literally everything else.

I like this new A-Class. It seems like it was built as a small Mercedes, not just built to be the cheapest thing possible that could still say Mercedes on it. I’d buy one.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/14/2019 at 22:15

You’ll definitely want to drive one. I don’t like how far forward the B-pillars are, but otherwise they’re good for visibility, and it’s not something most people ever notice. I don’t suggest getting one with the “upgraded” AMG sport suspension though, too stiff unless you’re on nothing but track perfect roads. The sport exhaust is excellent. They're all AWD, so weather isn't much issue and the limited slip doesn't make a huge difference; noticeable on track but not for most normal street driving.

Why no leather? Personally I'd go for the sport seats, but they're expensive and rare. And not a lot of people even find them comfortable, but I prefer them to the standard ones. Non-leather should be an easy find though.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
02/14/2019 at 22:21

The top mechanisms and electrics have been pretty reliable on soft tops for a long time now. But it’s a lot of moving parts. Things happen. Water leaks occur. They’re noisy inside. 207 chassis E-class is pretty safe. I live in a place that sees 9 months of rain, so water leaks are a real concern, but they're almost always on SL and SLK. Water leaks are expensive and a pain to fix.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
02/14/2019 at 22:24

Same. I was initially excited when the CLA was coming out, but pretty underwhelmed when actually getting my hands on one. 45's are cool, but they're so different from the base car it hardly counts. The A220 though, I wanted to spend more time with it.

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/14/2019 at 23:04

No leather for hippie friendliness purposes. It’s hard to find a completely leather-free car unless you go with total base model econoboxes, because of steering wheels, shifters, etc. But I’d at least prefer to not have leather upholstery.

The only leather-free premium car right now is the Range Rover Velar, with its optional cloth . Tesla ditched leather upholstery a while back but still wraps their steering wheels in leather. There was apparently a plastic steering wheel option on the Model 3 but it was discontinued.

If I had unlimited money , I seriously would buy through the manufacturers’ custom programs like BMW Individual or whatever the other guys call it so there would be zero animal products in the interior. Well, there might be some adhesives or something, but no leather upholstery or any other trim. Gated shifters are vegan!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/15/2019 at 01:46

I can respect that. Getting away from leather is tough. It’s often used on door panels and dashboards too. But on the CLA/GLA you can get the seats and steering wheel in dinamica.

Weren’t th e i3 and i8 vegan friendly?

pip bip - choose Corrour > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/15/2019 at 02:09

do they come with a manual?

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/15/2019 at 08:58

Oh yeah, forgot about the i3. I don’t believe it’s an option on the i8 though.

On my wife’s CX-5, we specifically went with the Touring trim even though we liked some of the features on the Grand Touring, because the Touring has leatherette seats and dash wrap. The higher trims go to real leather. There’s still leather on the steering wheel on the Touring, but making sure she had the active safety gizmos outweighed fully avoiding leather.

If we were more sticklers about it we’d have like base model Civics with plastic steering wheel and cloth seats or something. But we're already not perfect because we buy cat food.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > pip bip - choose Corrour
02/15/2019 at 09:27

Not in the US. Maybe in other places.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/15/2019 at 09:32

My girlfriend is the same way. She's been trying to find protective motorcycle gear, that's specifically for women, but also stylish and not leather. After months of searching she finally broke down and bought shoes that have leather on them. It's surprising to me how difficult it is to get away from leather, and animal products in general.

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/15/2019 at 10:23

Oh btw, meant to ask, do you think the AMG suspension is too stiff even in comfort mode?

feather-throttle-not-hair > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/15/2019 at 13:37

I’ve seen those touch pads on the steering wheel, and though i’ve never used them, i suspect i would actually like them, despite my general bias against non-tactile buttons . T hat’s the perfect place for something like that, since they’re not hard to locate by feel, but also won’t protrude from the wheel like a tiny joystick would.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/15/2019 at 15:11

Oh sorry I meant the older version, before they came out with the dynamic adjustable version. The dynamic setup is great.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > feather-throttle-not-hair
02/15/2019 at 15:13

I would still prefer buttons, but I think this is my favorite version of a dumb design trend. They also double as buttons.

Textured Soy Protein > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/15/2019 at 16:39

Yeah I want the facelift version with the LSD and adjustable suspension in the package together. If I was ordering new I would get the Dinamica steering wheel but used is more likely so as long as I can get the MB-TEX upholstery I’d be good. O f course this is all hypothetical because I work from home 4 days a week and I already have a cool car that isn’t broken. So not like I need to be replacing it haha.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein
02/15/2019 at 17:48

of course you need another car! For mental health and happiness reasons!

MB Tex is pretty common on these. Shouldn't be hard to find.