In a choice that oozes sincerity if not finely honed customer research, Mercedes-Benz’s marketing team decided the secret to selling more small vehicles to Americans was to make them look more like traditional sedans.
That’s the origin story for the ★★★ 2019 Mercedes A220 4Matic sedan, which offers a more conventional, upright profile than the sleek CLA that was the first front-wheel drive compact car Mercedes sold in the United States.
Because, like, everybody knows Americans love sedans. That’s why the body style hit an historic low at less than 30 percent of 2018 vehicle sales. Ford decided to stop selling them in favor of vehicles with SUV looks because selling sedans is so easy and profitable that it was beneath the Blue Oval to continue doing so.
Maybe Mercedes knows something other automakers don’t, or maybe it figured it was building the new A-class anyway, so what the heck? Why not ship a few to America to see if it’s the small sedan Americans have been waiting for?
Either way, the A220 is in dealerships, offering Mercedes’s new and vastly improved controls and creative and attractive interior design.
Behind the wheel
2019 Mercedes-Benz A220 4Matic
All-wheel-drive, five-passenger compact sedan
Price as tested: $48,790 (excluding destination charge)
Rating: ★★★ (Out of four stars)
Reasons to buy: Interior look and feel; rear headroom; handling.
Shortcomings: Trunk space; rear legroom, no USB A-type ports; cost..
What’s new?
Specifications as tested
Engine: 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder
Power: 188 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm; 221 pound-feet of torque @ 1,250-4,000 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Acceleration: 7.1 seconds 0-60 mph
Top speed: 130 mph
Wheelbase: 107.4 inches
Length: 179.1 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 56.9 inches
Curb Weight: 3,416 lbs.
How much?
Competitive base prices
(Excluding destination charges)
(Automatic transmission, all-wheel drive models.)
Mercedes-Benz A220 4Matic: $34,500
Audi A3 2.0T Premium Quattro: $35,600
BMW 230i xDrive: $37,300
Cadillac ATS 2.0L AWD: $37,495
Jaguar XE 2.5T AWD: $39,345
Volvo S60 Momentum AWD : $40,300
Source: Autotrader
What’s good
What’s not
Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings
(Automatic transmission, all-wheel drive models.)
All vehicles tested with premium gasoline
(Automatic transmission, all-wheel drive models.)
Mercedes-Benz A220 4Matic: 25 mpg city/ 35 highway/ 28 combined
Audi A3 2.0T Premium Quattro: 22/30/25
BMW 230i xDrive: 24/33/27
Cadillac ATS 2.0L AWD: 21/29/24
Jaguar XE 2.5T AWD: 24/34/28
Volvo S60 Momentum AWD : 21/32/25
Source: www.fueleconomy.gov
Contact Mark Phelan at 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter.
