2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

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Rating7.1

Ranked #2 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$33,650 - $45,850
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on October 31, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Elegant and a subtle exterior design

Poor rear-seat space

Standard blind-spot monitoring

Impressive features

Performance is not on par with the rivals

Standard 18-inch wheels

Premium and high-quality interiors

Lacks sportiness

Available gesture controls for the MBUX infotainment unit

Supreme ride quality

Specs & Features

$33,650

price

188 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

221 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

7-Speed Automated Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 7AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Despite being one of the most affordable offerings by Mercedes-Benz in the US market, the A-Class sedan promises to offer an extremely comfortable and luxurious in-cabin experience to buyers. Continuing this further ahead, the A-Class is now all set to take on the rivals in this segment. Compact dimensions, elegant and sophisticated looks, and a well-built cabin are some of the key attributes of the new A-Class Sedan.

Buying Advice

The A-Class is only available in a single trim option. The A220 trim comes with almost all the features expected at this price point and makes the A-Class a value for money product when compared to its rivals. The build quality and the fit and finish levels remain to be impressive and the price of this variant is kept aggressive. In addition to this, features like a sunroof, powered front seats, and gesture controls. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The engine under the hood is a 2.0 L turbocharged Inline-4 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Prices start at $33,650 for the base variant while the 4Matic AWD trim starts at $35,650. The new A-Class Sedan takes on rivals like the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series, and the Volvo S60. Having said this, how good is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan? Let’s find out. 

Features
8.0/10

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is only available in a single trim option that includes A220. The trim can be had with front-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive drivetrain options. The starting price of the car happens to be $33,650 which makes it significantly affordable for the buyers of this segment. A number of optional features and packages are also on offer for the buyers. More details regarding the availability of features are mentioned below in the table:

Model

A220

MSRP (FWD)

$33,650

MSRP (4Matic AWD)

$35,650

Key Features

7-inch dual screens (infotainment & driver's display)

 

8-speaker sound system

 

18-inch alloy wheels

 

MB-Tex synthetic leather upholstery

 

Panoramic sunroof

 

12-way power front seats

 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

 

Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

 

Remote engine start

What Trim should you buy?

The A-Class is only available in a single trim option. The A220 trim comes with almost all the features expected at this price point and makes the A-Class a value for money product when compared to its rivals. The build quality and the fit and finish levels remain to be impressive and the price of this variant is kept aggressive. In addition to this, features like a sunroof, powered front seats, and gesture controls. 

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The two-liter turbocharged petrol engine powering the A-Class is known to be fuel-efficient and the EPA-rated figures reflect the same. The car gets a claimed city fuel economy of 25 MPG which is impressive for a car of this size. Moreover, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets a claimed highway and combined fuel economy figure of 36 MPG and 29 MPG respectively. The fuel tank gets a rated fuel capacity of 13.5 gallons.

Models

2021 Mercedes-Benz A220

2020 Audi A3 Premium

2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe Sedan

2021 Volvo S60 T5 Momentum

MPG (City)

25

27

24

23

MPG (Highway)

36

36

33

34

MPG (Combined)

29

30

28

27

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

13.5

13.2

13.2

15.9

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles) 

338/486/391

356/475/396

317/436/370

366/541/429

A quick comparison of the A-Class with the rivals reveals that it's one of the most fuel-efficient sedans in the segment. In addition to this, the car also boasts an impressive range on a single tank full of fuel. But the least powerful Audi A3 is the highest efficient machine here while obviously, the most powerful Volvo delivers the least fuel economy figures. The Volvo however, comes with the largest fuel capacity and hence provides the most range. 

Interior
6.0/10

Just like any other Mercedes-Benz car, the A-Class sedan boasts a super impressive cabin. The quality of the parts and components feels premium and the fit and finish levels are segment-leading. In addition to this, the dashboard layout not only looks and feels good but is ergonomically sorted as well. The visibility from the driver’s seat is great and all the buttons and switchgear are well within the reach of the driver. The steering gets a premium leather wrap and feels premium to hold. The seats are comfortable and provide impressive support and comfort levels. 

Moving in and out of the vehicle can be an issue for many but once inside, you will definitely appreciate the overall ambiance inside the cabin of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan. On the features front, it comes equipped with dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a power adjust feature for the front seats, etc. There is no dearth of storage spaces inside the cabin and all the door panels have space to accommodate large bottles. The glove box too is of decent size and can accommodate larger items. The center console has cup holders and a deep storage bin. A large sunroof is also on offer. 

Models

2021 Mercedes-Benz A220

2020 Audi A3 Premium

2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe Sedan

2021 Volvo S60 T5 Momentum

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg, in inches)

40.3/55.1/41.8

36.5/54.8/41.2

39.8/55.5/41.4

37/56.1/42.3

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg, in inches)

37.2/54.0/33.9

36.1/53.0/35.1

35.7/53.1/34.4

37/54.5/35.2

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

8.6

12.3

15.1

13.8

The cabin of the A-Class is spacious and boasts a premium and comfortable in-cabin experience but the rear seat space could have been better. The Volvo is the most spacious option while the BMW offers the most cargo space. The Mercedes is the only one here with a limited rear row and cargo capacity which makes it a disappointment in terms of interior space. However, it comes with a very refreshing and good-looking, high-quality cabin. Some of the key interior features are mentioned below:

  • Dual-zone automatic climate control 
  • Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel 
  • Panoramic roof 
  • 12-way power-adjustable front seats 
  • MB-Tex synthetic leather upholstery 
  • Push-button start 
  • Remote engine start

What’s there to keep you entertained? 

The A-Class gets a 7-inch touchscreen system as standard while the buyers can also upgrade to an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen system. This system gets gesture control and all other modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Needless to say, features like Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, navigation, etc are also on offer with the system. The music setup comprises an 8-speaker audio system while an optional 12 speaker audio system from Burmester premium audio is also on offer.

The system is easy to use and the touch response is impressive as well. Some of the key infotainment features are:

  • Dual 7-inch touchscreen systems
  • The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system 
  • 8-speakers sound system
  • Optional 12 speaker Burmester premium audio
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • SiriusXM
  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Voice Commands

Exterior
7.0/10

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan happens to be one of the best-looking sedans in the segment. The overall design language makes it look extremely elegant and sophisticated. The front fascia gets a dominating look, all thanks to the grille in the center and the sleek LED headlamps. The side profile remains subtle and the new 18-inch alloy wheels do complement the design really well.

The rear however gets a subtle look that has an understated elegance. The LED taillights and the curvy trunk lid make it look extremely attractive, especially at night. The throw from the headlights is great while the LED taillights look classy at night. Overall it is a beautiful-looking machine, if not the prettiest one in the segment. It doesn’t look very aggressive, but there are hints of sportiness all around the exterior. 

Models

2021 Mercedes-Benz A220

2020 Audi A3 Premium

2021 BMW 228i Gran Coupe Sedan

2021 Volvo S60 T5 Momentum

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,285

3,197

3,393

3,724

Length (inches)

179.1

175.5

178.5

187.4

Width (inches)

70.7

70.7

70.9

80.3

Height (inches)

56.9

55.7

55.9

56.6

Ground Clearance (inches)

4.3

6.3

6.0

5.9

Wheelbase (inches)

107.4

103.8

105.1

113.1

The A-Class boasts a super attractive design that makes it look premium and sophisticated. Rivals like the Volvo S60 however offer better road presence while the BMW 2-Series gets a more aggressive and sporty layout. The Volvo is the most futuristic and executive-looking one here while the Mercedes is the most beautiful one. The Audi A3 is the lightest and offers the most ground clearance while the Volvo is the heaviest and the Mercedes has the least clearance. ??€?€?€?ome of the exterior highlights include the following:

  • Dual exhaust chrome tips
  • Black grille with chrome accents
  • Chrome window trim
  • Body-colored door handles
  • LED headlights, taillights & DRLs
  • Exterior entry lights
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Manual-folding exterior mirrors

Safety
9.0/10

While the crash test results of the 2021 A-Class are still awaited, the car does boast some impressive safety gear on offer. For starters, the car gets a heavily reinforced cabin that is said to greatly minimize the intensity of the injuries sustained by occupants inside the vehicle. In addition to this, a number of active and passive safety features are also on offer. 

All these features not only help in reducing and preventing injuries to the occupants but also play an important role in preventing crashes and incidents by helping the driver have maximum control over the vehicle. Many modern features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, crosswind assist, etc are also offered as a standard part of the package. Some of the standout safety features are:

  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Blind Spot Monitoring
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
  • Crosswind Assist
  • Pre-Safe Plus
  • Lane Change Assist
  • Evasive Steering Assist
  • Driver Attention Monitor
  • Front Cross-Traffic Braking 

Competition
6.0/10

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan vs 2020 Audi A3

The Audi A3 is known to be an extremely good-looking, powerful, and comfortable sedan that provides a great balance between comfort and performance. The car comes loaded with a long list of features and also boasts a supreme in-cabin experience. The A-Class however offers better comfort and luxury levels inside the cabin. 

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan vs 2021 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

An aggressive and sporty design language, a powerful engine, and sorted driving dynamics make the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe sedan a preferred choice for hardcore driving enthusiasts. The car also offers supreme long-term reliability. The A-Class on the other hand has an edge when it comes to comfort. The BMW is the overall better choice as it offers more sportiness and better handling.

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan vs 2021 Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 is one of the safest and one of the most powerful rivals to the A-Class. The car boasts high build quality and segment-leading safety features. The in-cabin experience and driving dynamics too are sorted. The A-Class however offers a more polished in-cabin experience and ambiance. Overall, the Volvo is still the better choice even though for a higher price. 

Final Verdict

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is not only a good-looking car but in addition to this, also offers an impressive cabin, decent performance, and high luxury levels. There are a number of features available to pamper the occupants inside the cabin while the overall noise isolation is also supreme. While the car may not be the fastest in the segment, driving it in urban conditions is effortless and the elegant looks do help it boast a strong road presence. However, cars like the BMW 2 Series offer a more aggressive stance and better performance.

Trims

    A 220
    $33,650 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 188 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 221 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.29 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    AMG A 35
    $45,850 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 302 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.71 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$33,650- $45,850

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.11

Horsepower

302 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$18,995- $31,545

Gasoline

6.45

147 hp @ 5000 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,950- $31,850

Gasoline

5.75

201 hp @ 6800 rpm

180 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.29 sec--
    7.7 sec-127 mph
    7.8 sec15.5 sec110 mph

    2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      25 mpg36 mpg29 mpg13.5 gal.-
      30 mpg41 mpg34 mpg13.5 gal.405/553.5 mi.
      24 mpg34 mpg28 mpg13.2 gal.316.8/448.8 mi.

      2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        179.1 in.70.7 in.56.9 in.4.3 in.107.4 in.
        185.1 in.70.8 in.57.6 in.5.6 in.105.7 in.
        182.2 in.70.6 in.55.6 in.4.4 in.105.1 in.

        2021 Audi A3

        Ranked #4

        175.5 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6.3 in.103.8 in.

        2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          8.6 cu.ft.-59.5 cu.ft.
          12.4 cu.ft.89.3 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          14.1 cu.ft.94.7 cu.ft.-

          2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            59.5 cu.ft.8.6 cu.ft.59.5 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            -14.1 cu.ft.-

            2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1102 lbs.3285 lbs. -
              882 lbs.2895 lbs.
              906 lbs.3095 lbs.

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