Regarding the MB to quote Top Gear..... 'it feels like it's almost worth the money'
The A45 is a complex car, both hardware and, especially, software. Inside Mercedes has tried to give you as muchaccess to that as it can. I’m not sure about this. Maybe ifit’s the only car you’ll drive, you’ll be au fait within a month, but as a car to jump in and drive it’s very, verycomplicated.
For starters there’s the configuration of the two mainscreens. These can show pretty much anything you like, from navigationand fuel economy to engine data and lap times. You’ll need to use them as well to set-up the car’s Individual configuration. That’ll take a while. And then there’s the TrackPace app, the colour displays, the alternative layouts. The fact of the matter is that Mercedes doesn’t appear to have known when to say ‘whoa’ when the graphics department started pouring information onto the screens.
Too much data. And mostly controlled by a pair of irritating steering wheel thumb pads and a mouse pad on the console – ****** tricky to use on the move. There are a few helpful button shortcuts and despite the confusion, the cabin ambience, layout and design is lovely. It feels almost like it’s worth the money.
The seats are firm and take a good grip of your ribcage. They’re really good when you’re hurling it about, but you do find yourself squirming in them when you’re not. The big bolsters are fine, but the seats needs the auto equivalent of a mattress topper.