What is it like?
It’s worth noting that visually inside and out, and with the equipment levels, there isn’t the kind of paucity with the A180 CDI ECO SE that you’ll usually find with diesel hatchback economy specials. It looks as sharp as any other A-class.
Dynamically it broadly drives like your average A-class as well. That means one of the sharpest drives in the class with tidy handling and a big focus on sportiness over comfort for ride quality.
Unlike AMG-tweaked A-classes higher up the range, the A180 CDI SE does not have an uncomfortable ride, rather one that never fully settles, even in an extended motorway cruise. We’d put that down to its relatively small (in the range at least) 16in alloy wheels and 205/55 tyres. We know, though, from experience in the bog-basic petrol-powered A180 model, which rides on 15in steel wheels and has standard non-lowered suspension, that there’s a supple-riding A-class in the range that isn’t an A45 AMG.
The powertrain – and its economy – is the big story for most potential A180 CDI ECO SE buyers, and it’s mostly good news. We returned an indicated 60mpg on our test route, and the engine is a quiet and tractable enough companion on the kind of motorway run most A180 CDI ECO SEs will do the bulk of their work.
Issues? There are no dealbreakers. Step off is a bit blunt, there’s a gruff engine note that doesn’t really go away until you’re in a higher gear, and the taller ratios can leave you regularly cog swapping if you suddenly need that extra bit of poke if you spot a gap in the traffic.