A-CLASS W169

About the A-Class W169

The W169 A-Class was Mercedes' second attempt at a compact and it was still an oddball. The sandwich floor concept from the W168 survived, giving the A-Class a tall seating position and a raised center of gravity. The 2.0-liter turbo in the A 200 Turbo made 193 hp and was quick but top-heavy. The CVT was questionable. The 1.5 and 1.7 diesels were the European volume sellers, efficient and adequate. The interior was better than the W168 with improved materials and a more cohesive design. The A-Class still felt like a tall hatchback that couldn't decide if it wanted to be an MPV or a car. Mercedes would figure it out with the W176. The W169 was the transitional generation that kept the nameplate alive while Stuttgart worked out what the A-Class should actually be.