Cabin and creature comforts
Given the badge, it is only fair to expect the best quality interior and materials around you, no matter which of the two you get into. And, yes, they don’t disappoint. The 1 Series interior is as functional as can be without going overboard with sporty styling. The dials are easy to read and dole out the information just as you need it. The dark shades of grey are given strips of contrast, which make the interior livelier and also add to the excitement. The controls are within easy reach and gel well with the layout; which is a very smart and well-thought-out affair. There is a premium feel to what is familiar territory, and the iDrive controls take pride of place. The hand-brake lever, the gear-shifter and the meaty steering wheel all make you want to just shut up and drive. The seating is also spot-on if you intend to drive the car as it was meant to be driven. That said, the seats are immensely supportive and offer excellent comfort and ergonomics too. The extendable thigh support is a welcome feature for tall drivers or, I should say, front-seat occupants. Space is generous, front and rear, and you won’t be left wanting for legroom. Although it is ideally meant for four, not five.
The A-Class is a lot different, and that becomes obvious the moment you step in. The controls are placed in areas only Mercedes-Benz owners and aficionados will be aware of. The gear selector, the electronic parking brake and the cruise control need you to look, and feel, behind the steering wheel. The only knob in the center is the COMAND rotor, which controls the onboard entertainment and communication systems. But spend some time in the car and you get used to it all. While the layout may catch you off-guard, the quality of the interior will leave you feeling like it’s money well-spent. The center console is a real treat, especially the sculpted air vents. Yes, in the end, it is a Mercedes, and it brings every last drop of quality fir-and-finish they can offer for the price. The seats are extremely comfortable and ergonomics are good. However, in the ‘Style’ trim, only the driver seat comes with electric controls, neatly mounted on the door panel, making them easily accessible. The seating comfort at the rear may just make you think twice, though. The space isn’t as much as you would expect, and tall adults would have quite a time trying to make themselves comfortable. However, if the vertically-gifted aren’t part of your entourage, it fits the bill just right.
Protective aura and equipment
These two are part of the new breed. And, they’re German. So, safe to say, NCAP has been taken in their respective strides. Before you think about strong bodies and airbags, let’s clear the fact that preventive safety takes major precedence. The age-old belief that ‘prevention is better than cure’ applies here very well indeed and both German super brands have ensured that they have taken every step to prevent an accident from happening in the first place.
The 1 Series equipment list brings stability, traction and braking, all flanked by ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Control’ on either side, together with brake assist technologies, including ABS, EBD, cornering brake control, drying and fade compensation and even hill assist. The steering system is a Servotronic speed-sensitive unit and the onboard drive-mode selector lets you choose among ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus; the latter of which gives the ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Control’ fellows the bench and puts the car in your hands – all of it. How that feels is better listed in the ‘performance’ section coming up later.
The A also features trademark Mercedes-Benz safety systems. That means you get the full suite: Attention Assist; Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Curve Dynamic Control and Acceleration Skid Control; the Brake Assist System, which further aids emergency and panic braking situations with variable levels of assistance; and the adaptive brake system, which includes a Brake Hold function. All of these put together mean that the calculations and computations done under the skin result in a smarter response from the car in any situation, from possible loss of control to a critical scenario.
Before we go ahead, yes, both cars have the full quota of seat belts and airbags and it is essential that the use of the former is strictly adhered to. Seat belts aren’t simply there to prevent a facial reconstruction in the event of a frontal impact; they provide all needed support and hold you in place nicely when driving spiritedly.
