10 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Competitors to Consider

2019 Mercedes Benz A220 sedan driving ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

It has taken four generations of development for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class to join the U.S. lineup. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Sedan (starting at $32,500) and A 220 4MATIC Sedan (starting at $34,500) are entry-level premium vehicles. The A-Class is quite compact, riding on a 107.4-inch wheelbase.

Under the hood, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (188 hp/221 lb-ft of torque) connects to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Top speed is 130 mph, and 0-60 mph takes 7.1 seconds. The EPA estimates that the A-Class can achieve 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway/28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 25 mpg city/33 mpg highway/28 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. Here are 10 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class competitors to consider.

2019 Acura ILX

The 2019 Acura ILX is a good competitor for the A-Class. It is a subcompact sedan that is close in dimension to A-Class, and shares a front-engine/front-wheel drive layout with a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Acura uses an eight-speed, while A-Class uses a seven-speed. ILX’s engine is a four-cylinder gasoline unit, like A-Class, but the Acura engine displaces 2.4-liters and is naturally aspirated (non-turbo). Horsepower is rated at 201, while torque is reported to be 180 lb-ft.

ILX has a bigger trunk (12.4 cubic feet vs. 8.6 cubic feet for A-Class). ILX has a distinct price advantage as well, with Standard trim level starting at $25,900, and the fully-loaded A-Spec with Technology Package starting at $31,550. A-Class’s one big advantage over ILX is the 4MATIC model with all-wheel drive – a feature not available on ILX at any price.

Photo by Acura

2019 Audi A3

As a fellow German premium vehicle, the 2019 Audi A3 will always be measured against the A-Class. A3 comes in four trim levels starting at $35,600. Like A-Class, A3 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). A3’s engine is transversely mounted (the traditional setup for front-wheel drive), but quattro all-wheel drive is standard on all trim levels.

The 2.0-liter engine is available in two states of tune: 40 TFSI (184 hp/222 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds), and 45 TFSI (228 hp/258 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds). There’s also an S3 model available starting at $44,500 (288 hp/280 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds), and an RS3 model starting at $56,200 (394 hp/354 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds), good matches for the soon-to-arrive Mercedes-AMG A 35 Sedan (302 hp/295 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds).

Photo by Audi

2019 BMW 330i

BMW no longer imports the 1 Series Sedan to the U.S., leaving the 2019 BMW 330i Sedan as the closest brand competitor to the A-Class. The 330i is a rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive entry, starting at $40,250. It comes with a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (255 hp/295 lb-ft of torque/0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds) and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It is half a foot longer than the A-Class, and has more rear legroom and a much bigger trunk (17.0 cubic feet vs. 8.6 cubic feet for A-Class). Adding features like navigation (part of the $2,800 Premium Package) and driver assistance ($500) will quickly add to the bottom line for 330i, making the price of entry into a BMW sedan considerably higher than the cost of buying in to the Mercedes-Benz family.

Photo by BMW

2019 Honda Accord

It’s not premium, but the 2019 Honda Accord should be on your list if you’re considering an A-Class. Forget about the brand, and look at what you get for a starting price of $23,720. The base engine in LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L models is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (192 hp/192 lb-ft of torque), with a six-speed manual transmission or available 10-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (252 hp/273 lb-ft of torque) is available in Sport and EX-L models, standard in Touring, hooked up to the 10-speed automatic.

Front-wheel drive is standard. There’s even a Hybrid powertrain available (starting at $25,320). Load up an Accord Touring 2.0T with all that Honda has to offer, including standard Honda Sensing, navigation, premium audio, heated and ventilated leather front seats, LED headlights, wireless phone charger, mobile hotspot, head-up display and more, and you’re starting at $34,990.

Photo by Honda

2019 Infiniti Q50

Like the BMW 330i, the 2019 Infiniti Q50 is a rear-wheel-drive sedan that represents the point of entry to its brand, and is a good competitor to consider against the A-Class. Q50 prices start at $35,550 for Q50 2.0t Pure, which comes with a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 258 lb-ft of torque hooked up to a seven-speed automatic transmission. You can add all-wheel drive for $2,000.

Two engine upgrades are available for Q50: a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that’s tuned to produce 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a souped-up 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. In each of these models, you get a tail-happy rear-wheel drive biased performer that is fun to drive, beautifully styled inside and out, and configurable with all the premium features you could desire.

Photo by Infiniti

2019 Lexus IS

As the entry-level sedan in the Lexus universe, the 2019 Lexus IS is a worthy competitor for the A-Class. IS uses rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine gets fitted into the base IS 300 (240 hp/258 lb-ft of torque) which starts at $38,410, while a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine (311 hp/280 lb-ft of torque) lurks in the IS 350 models (starting at $42,030).

F Sport models get Adaptive Variable Suspension and a Sport S+ driving mode, as well as aero body parts and upgraded interior trim. Lexus’s entry-level will have you rethinking the brand – this is not your father’s Lexus.

Photo by Lexus

2019 Mazda3 Sedan

The all-new 2019 Mazda3 Sedan has raised the bar for subcompact sedan driving, and is a car you should explore when considering an A-Class. Mazda has been moving more and more toward premium status lately, and the new Mazda3 has a gorgeous new interior that challenges expectations for a sedan that starts at $21,000.

A naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (186 hp/186 lb-ft of torque) provides the motivation, with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and, for the first time in a Mazda3, all-wheel drive is available. Select the Premium Package (starting at $27,900) and you’ll get a fully-equipped, near-luxury sedan and the best-handling car in its class for a bargain price.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Toyota Camry

Why would you consider a 2019 Toyota Camry vs. a 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Over the decades, Camry has evolved from basic transportation into a sophisticated compact-to-midsize sedan that delivers comfort, efficiency, reliability, and value, far outstripping its economy car roots.

Camry starts at $23,945 with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (203 hp/184 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission, rated at 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway/34 mpg combined. An available 3.5-liter V6 boosts ouput to 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, while an available hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain in Camry Hybrid LE (starting at $28,250) can deliver up to 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway/52 mpg combined. That premium brand on the A-Class starts to look pretty pricey when compared with Camry.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Volvo S60

The latest vehicle to join the SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform is the 2019 Volvo S60 sedan, a worthy competitor for the A-Class. S60 T5 FWD Momentum starts at $35,800, and comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque). You can upgrade to all-wheel drive with T6 starting at $40,300, and you also get a power increase to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to turbocharging and supercharging working together.

T8 models will start at $55,400, bringing electric motors into the equation for additional power (400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque). S60 features Scandinavian style and design in its elegant, luxurious interior, and makes a strong argument for Volvo’s inclusion in the premium class.

Photo by Volvo

2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S

Popular German brand VW brings a seventh-generation of its Jetta sedan to market this year, and it is a car to add to your consideration against the A-Class. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI S starts at $25,995 with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (228 hp, or 258 hp with Premium gas), front-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual transmission.

Premium features like full LED lighting, 10-color customizable interior lighting, adaptive chassis control, heated side mirrors, and heated front seats are standard, while the VW Digital Cockpit, leather seating, and a panoramic sunroof are available. Jetta has a 14.1-cubic-foot trunk, 37.1 inches of rear legroom, and weighs in at just 3,217 lbs. It’s a lot of car for the money, and worth considering if you’re in the market for an A-Class.

Photo by Volkswagen