Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Mercedes-Benz 190 W201 2.0 (90 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Mercedes-Benz 190:
The Mercedes-Benz W201 is the internal designation for the Mercedes 190 series sedans, a range of front-engine, rear drive, five passenger, four-door sedans manufactured over a single generation, from 1982 to 1993 as the company's first compact class automobile.
Designed by Bruno Sacco, head of styling at Mercedes-Benz from 1975 to 1999, the W201 debuted at the 1982 Paris Motor Show. Manufactured in both Bremen and Sindelfingen, Germany, production reached 1,879,629 over its eleven-year model life....(Read more on Wikipedia)
W201 Overview:
Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201). With 165 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~10.5 l/100km). Weighing only 1180 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 13.8 s). The top speed reaches 170 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mercedes-Benz W201 predates Euro NCAP testing, which began in 1997. While not officially rated, its robust build quality for its era provided a good level of passive safety compared to contemporaries.
2.0 (90 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Entry-level performance, adequate for urban environments but feels sluggish with the automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
The automatic gearbox slightly impacts fuel efficiency compared to its manual counterpart.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional build quality and durability, often outlasting modern cars.
- • Timeless, understated design that ages gracefully.
- • Comfortable ride and refined driving experience for its class.
- • Highly reliable engines, especially the diesel variants.
- • Good handling and chassis dynamics, particularly in sportier trims.
- • Increasing classic status and appreciation among enthusiasts.
Cons:
- • Rust can be a significant issue on neglected examples, especially in wheel arches and jacking points.
- • Parts can be expensive, and specialized knowledge may be required for repairs.
- • Base models offer modest performance, feeling slow by modern standards.
- • Lacks modern safety features (e.g., airbags, ABS standard on later models) due to its age.
- • Interior plastics and trim can degrade or become brittle over time.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(W201: August, 1984 - August, 1988).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model: | 190 |
| Generation: | W201 |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.0 (90 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | February, 1982 |
| End of production: | September, 1984 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 90 Hp @ 5000 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 45.1 Hp/l [30mm less] |
| Torque: | 165 Nm @ 2500 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | M 102 V 20 / 102.921 More details about the engine M 102 V 20 / 102.921 |
| Engine displacement: | 1997 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.5 l |
| Coolant: | 8.5 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 89 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 80.25 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 10.5 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 7 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 13.8 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 13.8 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 170 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 13.1 kg/Hp, 76.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 7.2 kg/Nm, 139.8 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 13.1 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1180 |
| Max. weight: | 1580 |
| Max load: | 400 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 410 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 55 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4420 mm mm [30mm less] |
| Width: | 1678 mm mm [12mm less] |
| Height: | 1338 mm mm [37mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2665 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1428 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1415 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | Front wheel tires: 175/70 R14 |
| Wheel rims size | Front wheel rims: 5J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension |
What’s the best feature of the Mercedes-Benz 190? Tell us in the comments!