Sometimes in our lives, we need to make an impression, and sedans, like the Mercedes A-Class, are impressive due to their branding and give you the opportunity of making an entrance, as opposed to a mere arrival. The field is narrow when searching for a sub-compact or mid-level luxury sedan. However, it is not as thin as you might think if you go above and below the price point of this small Mercedes Benz Sedan.
Similar to the Mercedes A-Class sedan, other sedans have some of the same, and some have different features. A few have more bang for your buck, while others, however, don’t have quite as much to offer.
Features of the Mercedes A-Class Sedan
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan is not a big car, although it has space for five passengers. Available in two trim levels that are identical, except one has front-wheel drive while the other sports all-wheel drive.
The A220 Sedan has a starting MSRP of $33,950 and the all-wheel drive A220 4MATIC has a starting MSRP of $35,950.
Sadly, the Mercedes A-Class sedan has only one engine to offer. The standard turbocharged inline 4-cylinder produces 188 horsepower to run this Mercedes from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds.
The Mercedes A-Class has a very small 8.6 cubic feet of cargo space, so if you go away for a few days, you must remember that luggage space is limited. However, fuel mileage is where the Mercedes shines, because it returns 24 miles per gallon in town and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.
Three cars most similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan
I found three cars that are very similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan. One of them is from the same stable as the A-Class sedan.
1. Acura TLX
The price range of the Acura TLX is higher than the Mercedes A-Class sedan and much higher as you travel up the six trim levels. For example, the base TLX has a starting MSRP of $38,900, while the top-of-the-line Type S has a starting MSRP of $54,500. In addition, the Type S includes all-wheel drive and a larger engine for the price.
Standard power for the four lowest trim levels comes from a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 272 horsepower. This power will propel the Acura TLX from zero to 60 in 5.9 seconds.
However, the two top trim levels are powered by a twin-scroll turbocharger mounted to a 3.0L V6 that produces 354 horsepower. Zero to 60 for the TLX with the V6 engine is a scorching 4.5 seconds.
Fuel mileage of the lower three trim levels of the Acura TLX is 22 city/ 31 highway and 25 combined miles per hour. The V6 mileage doesn’t fare well and comes in at 19 city/24 highway and 21 combined miles per hour. Although it may have lower mileage, it is a sleeper sedan with all-wheel drive and sports car performance that will leave lesser cars sitting at the light, wondering where you went.
2. Mercedes Benz C-Class
Of course, cars of the same brand often have a car in their line almost identical to other models. They may be a little longer, have more spacious cabins, be more or less expensive, and are similar in fit and finish, so it is easy to tell one model is much like the other.
The Mercedes Benz C-Class has the same turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder as the Class-A Sedan. However, it is a mild hybrid engine that produces 255 horsepower. The difference between this powertrain and the A-Class Mercedes is that it can propel the slightly larger sedan from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.0 seconds, flat.
Available in three trim levels, the starting MSRP of the Mercedes 300 C Premium is $43,550, and the top model, the 300 C Pinnacle, has a starting MSRP of $47,500. The engine and fuel mileage are the same for all three trim levels, and the Mercedes 300 C returns 22 City/ 31 highway combined miles per gallon.
3. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
For 2022, you can get the BMW 2 Series as a four-door Gran Coupe or a traditional two-door coupe. The starting MSRP of the BMW 228i Gran Coupe is $36,600.
It is powered by a twin-scroll, turbo inline 2.0 L 4-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower. With this engine, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe can make it from zero to 60 miles an hour in 5.5 seconds, which beats the Mercedes A-Class by almost 2 seconds.
The fuel mileage of the BMW 2 Gran Coupe is 26 city/ 35 highway and 29 combined miles per gallon.
However, another model, the M240i xDrive, has a starting MSRP of 49,500. For that price, you get the cache of driving a BMW and a car that can make the run from zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.1 seconds.
Power for the top-of-the-line BMW M240i xDrive is produced by a Twin Turb0 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder that produces 382 horsepower. Thus, the very quick zero to 60 times.
A note about four-door coupes
What defines a coupe? In today’s dictionary of car definitions, a four-door coupe has a fastback body style that tends to flow in such a manner that its appearance is more that of a two-door than a four-door car. These car styles also tend to have smaller luggage capacity than traditional sedans.
Mercedes was the first to use the coupe designation for four-door sedans in 2002 when they built the Mercedes GT 4-door Coupe. Since then, many cars have taken on the designation of a coupe, yet have four doors.
However, many manufacturers have followed in their steps, and BMW, Mercedes’ closest competitor, has jumped on the bandwagon.
Other cars similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan
A few other subcompact and mid-size sedans are similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan.
4. Alfa Romeo Giulia
There is something different about an Italian car that no other manufacturer can deliver. But, until you’ve driven one, you won’t understand and will either love or hate the experience. As for its similarities to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan, the Alfa Romeo Giulia (Julia) is a sedan that has the chops to take on the competition.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint is the base model with a starting MSRP of $43,350. For this price, you get a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 280 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel mileage is 24 city/ 33 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon.
The top-level Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has a starting MSRP of $80,030. However, what you get for the price is all-wheel drive and power from Alfa Romeo’s 2.9L V6 that turns out 505 horsepower. With this engine, the Giulia can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds.
5. BMW 330i
The BMW 330i Sedan is another German automobile similar to the Mercedes A-Class in size but has more power and is a little larger. The starting MSRP of the BMW 330i rear-wheel-drive sedan is $42,300, and the all-wheel-drive BMW 330i xDrive has a starting price of $44,300.
Power for both trim levels comes from the same engine used in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder puts out 255 horsepower and can run the 330i from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds, which is identical to the Mercedes A-Class sedan.
Fuel mileage for the BMW 330i is 26 city and 36 highway miles per gallon, which is another similarity very close to the smallest Mercedes, the A-Class.
6. Cadillac CT4
A classic luxury marque, Cadillac still makes several sedans and SUVs. The Cadillac CT4 is very similar to the Mercedes A-Class in size. The starting MSRP of the CT4 is $35,090 for the Luxury RWD. The top-level Premium Luxury AWD model has a starting MSRP of $41,990. This model is available with a dual turbo 2.7L V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower.
The CT4 is available in three trim levels, and the upper two trims can be ordered with all-wheel drive. The Premium Luxury is not the most expensive trim level until you add the larger engine. However, the power of the V6 gives it an edge over its siblings and the Mercedes A-Class. Fuel mileage for the four-cylinder CT4 is 24 city/ 34 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon.
When powered with the base turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder, the CT4 takes a leisurely 7.4 seconds to run from zero to 60 miles per hour. However, when equipped with the V6 and the optional ten-speed automatic transmission, the time changes from zero to 60 in 5.1 seconds.
7. Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is not a subcompact or a mid-size sedan but a full-size five-passenger sedan. The Chrysler 300 is available in four trim levels and two engine options, and all models are available with all-wheel-drive, except for the 300S V8 model.
The starting MSRP of the Chrysler 300 Touring is $33,740, which is similar to the price of the smaller Mercedes A-Class Sedan. Power for the three lower trim levels is from a 3.6L V6 that produces 292 horsepower that sends its power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel mileage for the Chrysler 300, when equipped with the V6, is 19 city/ 30 highway and 23 combined miles per gallon.
The top-level 300S V8 is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 that produces 363 horsepower. The V6 reaches the zero to 60 mile per hour mark in 6.7 seconds, and the 300S V8 can make the same run in 5.3 seconds.
8. Genesis G70
Very similar in size to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan, the Genesis G70 is available in four trims. Two are rear-wheel drive, and two are front-wheel drive. One has an inline four, while the other has a V6, and all will seat five passengers. So, you already have more options than the A-Class offers.
The starting MSRP of the Genesis G70 is $39,150. The G70 2.0T I4 develops 252 horsepower and can make the run from zero to 60 in 6.4 seconds. Fuel mileage for this model is 21 city/31 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon.
The Genesis G70 3.3T V6 AWD develops 365 horsepower and has a starting MSRP of $46,750, the highest in the line-up. However, it is also the fastest, with a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 4.5 seconds.
9. Infiniti Q50
As luxurious as a Mercedes, BMW, or any other car on this list, the Infiniti Q5 is available in six trim levels. Three are rear-wheel drive, and three are all-wheel drive.
The Q50 Luxe is the base model with a starting MSRP of $42,650. The fuel mileage of this model is 20 city/ 29 highway and 23 combined miles per gallon. At the other end of the range is the Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD, which has a starting MSRP of $58,500.
The first four trim levels are powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that produces 300 horsepower. The Q50 Red Sport 400 and 400 AWD get their power from the same 3.0L V6 tuned to deliver 400 horsepower. As a result, these models’ zero to 60 times is 5.0 seconds for the lower four trims and 4.5 seconds for the Q50 Red Sport 400.
10. Jaguar XF
Although similar in size, power, and power and performance to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan, the Jaguar XF is considerably more expensive at any trim level. For example, the Jaguar SF S has a starting MSRP of $47,000. The second trim level, the SF SE, has a starting MSRP of $49,300.
The Jaguar XF S and XF SE power comes from a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 246 horsepower. The zero to 60 times for both models is 6.5 seconds. Fuel mileage for the Jaguar XF is 25 city and 33 highway miles per gallon.
An all-wheel-drive model, the XF R-Dynamic, has a starting MSRP of $52,700. By tuning the 2.0L inline four-cylinder to squeeze out 296 horsepower and adding all-wheel drive, the XF R-Dynamic can make the run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds.
11. Kia Stinger
As a relative newcomer to the sports sedan scene, the Kia Stinger offers a lot in a package similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan. However, the base model Stinger GT-Line is powered by a turbocharged 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower.
Fuel mileage for the GT-Line is 22 city/ 32 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon. The run from zero to 60 takes 5.7 seconds, a second and a half faster than the Mercedes.
The GT2 has a starting MSRP of $51,790 and is powered by a twin-turbo 3.3L V6 that produces 368 horsepower. The run from zero to 60 for the Kia Stinger GT2 is 4.6 seconds. Both models are available as rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive sedans.
12. Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is similar to the Mercedes A-Class Sedan in size. However, only the three lower trim levels of six are priced close to the smallest Mercedes. The starting MSRP of the Lexus IS 300 is $40,200. The IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition is the highest-priced model, with a starting MSRP of $68,475.
More than the price has a range with the Lexus IS line of sedans. The base IS 300 is powered by a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 241 horsepower.
On the other hand, the IS 500 Performance models are powered by a 5.0L V8 that produces 472 horsepower. The result of this power is a zero to 60 time of 4.4 seconds.
Fuel mileage for the IS 300 is 21 city/ 31 highway and 25 city miles per gallon.
13. Nissan Maxima
Although the Nissan Maxima is the cream of the Nissan crop, it is not as well appointed as the Infinity Q50, which is the same car. The base Nissan Maxima SV has a starting MSRP of $37,840, while the Maxima Premium has a starting MSRP of $43,150.
Power for all three trim levels of the Nissan Maxima is produced by a 3.5L V6 that develops 300 horsepower. Fuel mileage for all trim levels is 20 city/ 30 highway and 24 combined miles per gallon.
The zero to 60 miles per hour time of the Nissan Maxima is 5.7 seconds. The most significant difference between the Maxima and most cars on this list is that all-wheel drive is not an option on any trim level.
