2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

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.