www.hotcars.com 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Costs, Facts, And Figures

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan is the answer if you want to experience the comfort of a three-box car with a three-pointed star for minimum spending. For the uninitiated, the A-Class is the most affordable sedan on offer by Mercedes-Benz, and it won't be on sale here for long.

Buyers shouldn’t get confused between the A-Class and its swankier sibling, the CLA-Coupe, though. While both are on the same underpinnings, the latter is more about style than practicality. The A-Class, on the other hand, offers more space, and while it doesn’t look as fancy as its four-door coupe counterpart, it isn’t a wallflower either.

The A-Class sedan’s main rival outside the Mercedes stable is the usual suspect – the Audi A3 sedan. Albeit, buyers of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe can also look at it since it more or less falls in the same category.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Engine And Transmission

Since the A-Class is the most affordable Mercedes-Benz model that you can buy in the U.S., there aren't many engine options on offer. Or, to be more precise, there’s just one engine that powers the A-Class sedan in the U.S. On duty here is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, which develops 188 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 1,600-4,000 rpm. For power transmission duties, there’s a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Surprisingly, Mercedes doesn’t offer more powerful versions of the A-Class sedan in the U.S. anymore. As in, there are no AMG versions on sale in the country now. That’s a bit of a downer without a doubt. Mercedes seems to have taken a conservative approach with the A-Class sedan for the U.S. market, so, it’s unlikely for them to offer the more powerful versions of their entry-level sedan anytime soon. However, buyers looking for more thrills in this category can always opt for the CLA 35 AMG, or maybe the BMW M235i Gran Coupe.

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class Drivetrain: Choose Between FWD Or AWD

Although the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan can only be had in a single gasoline engine option, the company offers the car in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive iterations. The former comes badged as the A 220, whereas the latter is A 220 4MATIC. In terms of power output and torque, both the FWD and AWD derivatives are identical. Even when it comes to outright acceleration, they both can sprint from 0-60 mph in a claimed time of 7.1 seconds.

Where they differ slightly is in the fuel economy department. And, surprisingly, it’s the AWD or 4MATIC variant that’s a higher EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 MPG in the city as opposed to 24 MPG for the standard FWD version. The EPA-rated fuel economy on the highway is identical for both versions at 35 MPG.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Performance And Handling

The A-Class sedan is Mercedes’ subcompact premium sedan, but because of its petite dimensions and short footprint, it’s definitely tuned for a sportier driving experience compared to elder siblings such as the C-Class and E-Class. However, with the A 220 being the basic model, you don’t get many frills. You get ‘Comfort Suspension’ as standard, and it doesn’t get adaptive dampers. Not even as an option. You can, however, opt for the $2,700 AMG Line Package that adds a lowered suspension, AMG body styling, 18-inch AMG wheels, sport front seats, and racier bits and bobs.

To alter the behavior of the engine, transmission, and steering, you can choose between different modes, namely – Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual Dynamic Select.

Mechanically, the 2022 A-Class is largely unchanged from the 2019 model, which means the driving experience should be more or less similar. According to a long-term report by Edmunds, the A-Class feels small and sporty on the road. They add that, “there's a sense that you're sharper and nimbler than everything around you.” The long-term report from Edmunds also mentions that the A 220’s engine “punches well above its 188-horsepower rating, and you've got a recipe for real driving engagement on a daily basis.”

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Interior, Features, Safety, And Space

Just because it’s the most affordable Merc out there, don’t discount the A-Class as a cheap or low-cost luxury car. If anything, the interior of the A-Class sedan is every bit as premium and posh as it should be in a car with three-pointed star badges. As standard, there are four upholstery and two trim options, but you can opt for the rich-looking options starting at $1,450. The cabin design is a mix of sporty and elegant, making it look and feel every bit as Mercedes as it should.

Standard features include two 7-inch displays (bigger 10.25-inch screens are optional, though) with MBUX infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (wired, not wireless), 12-way power-adjustable front seats, 64-color ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and more. Some optional extras include heated and ventilated front seats ($950), heated steering wheel ($250), illuminated front door sills ($500), parking assistance system with a surround-view camera ($1,050), and many more.

On the safety front, eight airbags, Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and Adaptive Brakes are standard. Opt for the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, and you’ll get Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and more such assistance features.

Space-wise, the A-Class should be good enough for four passengers to travel in comfort. Sure, Mercedes claims it to be a five-seater, but that’ll be a bit of a stretch given the A-Class’ size and tight dimensions. The trunk space of 8.6 cubic ft isn’t the best either, so if you’re four average-sized humans heading out on a long drive, only carry the essentials.

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2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Costs

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class range kicks off at $33,950 for the regular A 220 model, while the AWD or A 220 4MATIC carries a sticker price of $35,950. As listed above, there are a lot of optional extras, meaning the final price can climb up quickly if you aren’t paying attention!

Shivank's love for cars & bikes has made him switch his career from engineering to writing stuff about automobiles. So far, he's been doing alright as an auto-journo with more than 6 years of experience under his belt. That said, he does like to show his nerdy self more often than not...