2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
| MSRP | $38,580 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $37,382 |
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1 for sale near you
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Review
byDan Frio
- Excellent blend of comfort and performance
- Classy interior design and high-quality cabin
- Features one of today's best infotainment systems
- Wind noise is noticeable on the road
- Some advanced safety features are oversensitive
- Blind-spot monitoring now standard across lineup
- 18-inch wheels standard on A 220 and A 220 4Matic
- Gesture controls for MBUX infotainment system available as stand-alone option
- Part of the first A-Class generation introduced for 2019
You'd think Mercedes-Benz, of any carmaker, would be immune to the pressures of driving down the cost of entry. The three-pointed star is synonymous with a luxury standard revered by middle managers and heads of state the world over. A compact sedan like the A-Class, priced in the low $30,000s to start and seemingly aimed at vibrant young bon vivants, feels out of character for the historically orthodox brand.
But the A-Class is actually a shrewd move. It distills Mercedes' traditional focus on comfort, quality and technology into a more affordable package, setting the hook for long-term ownership. You don't quite get the gravity of, say, the S-Class here, but there is a playful interior, lively handling and class-leading infotainment. The A-Class isn't perfect, but as a representative of pint-sized Mercedes refinement, it's a great choice. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to learn more about the 2021 A-Class.
What's it like to live with?
We've tested out an A 220 for more than a year, and it's largely delivered on the promise it showed after our first tests. The interior feels stitched together like a proper Mercedes, the engine has decent power, and cargo space is impressive given the car's size. Check out our A-Class long-term test to learn what it's like living with every day.
Our verdict | |
Thanks to the impressive combination of excellent driving manners, stellar build quality and a futuristic interior, the A-Class isn't a less expensive Mercedes. It's simply a smaller one. | |
How does the A-Class drive? | |
We tested the A 220 and found it surprisingly entertaining to drive. It pulls away from stop signs smoothly and silently with almost no delay. It's not as quick as the Audi A3, but overall the Mercedes is punchy. In Edmunds' testing, it covered 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. The dual-clutch transmission is one of the better examples but still exhibits clunky action in traffic. The feel of the brake pedal is immediately intuitive. It's easy to stop smoothly and with confidence from any speed. We also like the A 220's handling. There's more than enough grip thanks to the optional summer tires, and the available all-wheel-drive system can also help get the power down quickly when exiting a turn. Overall composure is excellent. | |
How comfortable is the A-Class? | |
Mercedes is out to prove that compact luxury cars can be just as comfortable as their bigger, more expensive siblings. The A-Class leads the charge with a compliant suspension that absorbs most bumps at high or low speeds with ease. The A 220's cabin is thoroughly comfortable as well. There's very little road or ambient noise. The seats are well contoured and agreeable to many body types, though taller drivers might wish for more upper-back support. The system provides plenty of airflow from the fancy-looking turbine-style air vents. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The driver and front passenger enjoy ample headroom, shoulder and elbow room, which is a pleasant surprise in such a small car. While rear passengers have decent headroom, legroom is a bit tight. Thankfully, the backs of the front seats are sculpted to provide some additional knee room. Outward visibility is OK, but the thick rear roof pillars and small rearview mirrors obscure your rearward view slightly. Mercedes includes a bunch of luxury and technology features in the A 220. Thankfully, they are pretty easy to access and figure out. There's excellent redundancy in the controls, so most drivers should find a suitable way to operate it. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The A-Class is one of the most tech-forward vehicles on the market, small sedan or otherwise. The high-resolution center display responds quickly via touchscreen, buttons or touchpad. The optional Burmester audio system is remarkable for a car in this price class. The voice recognition system interacts with a variety of vehicle systems and supports natural speech detection. We found it easy to activate the system inadvertently, however. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are two USB-C ports. Only some hyperactive electronic driver aids spoil the technological tour de force. Though generally sophisticated, they could be overbearing at times and returned a few false alarms, mostly inaccurate speed limit information. That had us scrambling to turn them off. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Belying its size, the A 220 can perform most duties you'd ask of a luxury sedan. The trunk is a little narrow, but the split rear seats that fold help make the most of the available space. An abundance of interior storage keeps the clutter to a minimum. The door pockets and a fairly deep center console bin aid those in front, though rear passengers can really only store items in the door pockets. You can probably use an A-Class for kid taxi duty, but it's obviously not ideally suited. The child safety seat anchors are easy to access, but the lack of rear seat space makes for a tight fit if you're rocking a rear-facing child seat. | |
How economical is the A-Class? | |
The A 220 gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is an average figure for an entry-level luxury sedan. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, our all-wheel-drive A 220 test car returned just over 29 mpg. | |
Is the A-Class a good value? | |
The A 220 is fairly well equipped from the start. But as is typical for European luxury vehicles, adding desirable option packages can increase the price tag by thousands of dollars. Still, the amount of luxury and technology and overall competent nature of the A-Class make it feel like you're getting your money's worth. The standard Mercedes-Benz warranty is four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, the norm among its mostly German competition. Roadside assistance coverage is also limited to the warranty period; it used to be unlimited. There's also the option to prepay for scheduled maintenance years in advance at a discounted rate. | |
Wildcard | |
The A-Class excels at offering the modern Mercedes-Benz experience in simply a smaller package. It's loaded with tech, features and luxury. It's also enjoyable to drive and looks suitably upscale. Mercedes has raised the bar for the entry-level luxury sedan class. | |
Which A-Class does Edmunds recommend?
Of the two A-Class trim levels, the AMG A 35 is the more thrilling to drive. But considering its significant price increase, we think the standard A 220 will satisfy most buyers. While its considerable options list won't get you more speed, it offers plenty of comfort, safety, style and tech upgrades. The Premium package's keyless entry and upgraded display screens make it a top choice, and the advanced driving aids in the Driver Assistance package are ideal for reducing fatigue and enhancing safety.
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class models
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a compact entry-level luxury car available in two trim levels: A 220 and AMG A 35. The A 220 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (188 horsepower, 221 lb-ft of torque) paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (Mercedes calls it 4Matic) is optional.
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2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class pricing
in Ashburn, VA
A 220
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$37,382
1 for sale in 20147
A 220 4MATIC
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$39,591
7 for sale in 20147
AMG A 35
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$50,933
1 for sale in 20147
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class video
2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: The Best Luxury Sedan | Edmunds Top Rated 2020
NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but since the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class won Best Luxury Sedan in the 2020 Edmunds Top Rated Awards. A repeat winner, the A-Class delivers the luxury experience you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz, but at an affordable price. It rides and drives well, and it hosts exceedingly clever technology features, making it the best luxury sedan.
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $33,650
- MPG & Fuel
- 25 City / 36 Hwy / 29 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.5 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 7-speed automated manual
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 188 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 221 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 179.1 in. / Height: 56.9 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 78.4 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 70.7 in.
- Curb Weight: 3285 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 8.6 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite A-Class safety features:
- Active Brake Assist
- Emits an alert if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Blind Spot Assist
- Signals the driver if a vehicle is in a blind spot as well as when a car or bicyclist is approaching from behind when parked.
- Active Steering Assist
- Uses cameras and other sensors to help the driver keep the vehicle centered in its lane while cruising, even in gentle curves.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs. the competition
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
Like the A-Class, the BMW isn't a cut-rate budget version of its badge, but one infused with the sporty feel and high-quality materials of the company's larger sedans. The 2 Series isn't quite as agile as the similarly named 2 Series coupe, but it's on par with the A-Class. The BMW's larger cargo space is worth considering if you're undecided.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs. Audi A3
A redesigned A3 is due soon, sold as a 2022 model (Audi is skipping the 2021 model year), and it stands to enhance a proven performer. Along with a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and raft of driver assistance features, the A3's sharp new exterior style and possibly larger cabin and cargo space could give it a slight edge here. It could be worth waiting for if you can be patient.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs. Cadillac CT4
If the entry-level luxury class feels a bit too European, it's not your imagination. The CT4 offers an American alternative, and a good one at that. The standard engine makes more power than the A-Class, and an even stronger 325-hp powerplant is also available. The CT4 also offers playful rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Interior quality and space, though, are a bit of a letdown.
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FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 A-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.4 out of 10. You probably care about Mercedes-Benz A-Class fuel economy, so it's important to know that the A-Class gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg to 29 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the A-Class has 8.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class:
- Blind-spot monitoring now standard across lineup
- 18-inch wheels standard on A 220 and A 220 4Matic
- Gesture controls for MBUX infotainment system available as stand-alone option
- Part of the first A-Class generation introduced for 2019
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class reliable?
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the A-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the A-Class's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 A-Class and gave it a 8.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 A-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The least-expensive 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 220 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,650.
Other versions include:
- A 220 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $33,650
- A 220 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $35,650
- AMG A 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $45,850
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the next question is, which A-Class model is right for you? A-Class variants include A 220 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), A 220 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM), and AMG A 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of A-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more