The 2022 Mercedes-benz A-class stands as the German automaker’s entry into the world of compact luxury sedans. Often, entry-level models can feel like a compromise, sacrificing features and quality to meet a lower price point. However, the A-Class defies this expectation, delivering a genuine Mercedes-Benz experience in a smaller, more accessible package. This review delves into the details of the 2022 A-Class, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s the right luxury sedan for your needs.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Pros and Cons at a Glance
Before diving deeper, let’s summarize the key advantages and disadvantages of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class:
Pros:
- Refined Driving Experience: Excellent balance of ride comfort and agile handling, making it enjoyable for both city commutes and weekend drives.
- Luxurious Interior: Class-leading cabin design with high-quality materials and a sophisticated ambiance that punches above its weight class.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Features the acclaimed MBUX infotainment system, one of the most intuitive and advanced systems available today.
- Impressive Build Quality: Solid construction and attention to detail are evident throughout the vehicle, reflecting Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to quality.
Cons:
- Limited Rear Legroom: Rear passenger space, particularly legroom, can be tight for taller adults.
- Oversensitive Safety Features: Some advanced driver-assistance systems can be overly sensitive, leading to occasional false alerts.
- AMG A 35 Discontinued: The sportier AMG A 35 variant is no longer available for the 2022 model year.
- US Market Exit: Mercedes-Benz has announced that the A-Class sedan will not be offered in the US market after the 2022 model year, making this its final run in this market.
Driving and Performance of the 2022 A-Class
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, specifically the A 220 model, offers a surprisingly engaging driving experience. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it delivers 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides ample power for daily driving, offering smooth acceleration and confident highway merging.
While not as overtly sporty as some rivals, the A-Class strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and agility. The ride quality is composed and refined, effectively absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road, even at higher speeds. Handling is also commendable; the A-Class feels nimble and responsive, making it enjoyable to navigate winding roads. The optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system enhances traction and stability, particularly in inclement weather conditions.
In Edmunds testing, the A 220 achieved a 0-60 mph sprint in a respectable 6.4 seconds. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission generally performs well, providing quick and smooth gear changes. However, like many dual-clutch transmissions, it can exhibit some slight hesitation or jerkiness at very low speeds in stop-and-go traffic. The brake pedal feel is excellent, offering confident and predictable stopping power in various driving situations.
Interior Comfort and Design
Stepping inside the 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a treat. The interior design is modern, stylish, and undeniably luxurious, setting a high bar for the entry-level luxury segment. The cabin materials are high-quality, with soft-touch surfaces and tasteful trim accents throughout.
Front passengers are treated to generous headroom and legroom, creating a spacious and comfortable environment. The seats are well-shaped and supportive, suitable for both short commutes and longer journeys. While rear headroom is adequate, rear legroom is where the A-Class compromises slightly due to its compact dimensions. Taller adults may find rear legroom a bit cramped, especially on longer trips. However, the sculpted front seatbacks do help to maximize knee room for rear occupants.
Noise insulation is another strong point of the A-Class. The cabin effectively blocks out road and wind noise, creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The climate control system is powerful and efficient, with distinctive turbine-style air vents that add a touch of visual flair.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2022 A-Class truly shines in the technology department. It boasts the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the automotive industry. The system is controlled via a high-resolution touchscreen, a touchpad on the center console, or voice commands.
The MBUX system is praised for its intuitive interface, rapid response times, and extensive features. The voice control is particularly impressive, understanding natural language commands for various vehicle functions. Standard smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included, along with multiple USB-C ports for device charging and connectivity.
While generally advanced, some of the A-Class’s driver-assistance technologies can be a bit overzealous. Systems like lane keeping assist and speed limit assist can sometimes issue false alerts or interventions, which can be slightly intrusive. However, these systems can be adjusted or disabled to suit driver preferences.
Storage and Practicality
For a compact sedan, the 2022 A-Class offers reasonable storage solutions. The trunk space is adequate for everyday needs, although it is not the most spacious in its class. The rear seats feature a split-folding design, allowing for拡張storage capacity when needed for larger items.
Interior storage is well-thought-out, with practical door pockets, a decent-sized center console bin, and additional small item storage throughout the cabin. While it can handle family duties in a pinch, the A-Class is not ideally suited for families with young children, particularly those requiring rear-facing car seats, due to the limited rear passenger space. Child safety seat anchors are easily accessible, however.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz A 220 achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg combined (city/highway). This is a competitive figure for the entry-level luxury sedan segment. In real-world testing, the A-Class generally meets or slightly exceeds these estimates. On Edmunds’ 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, an all-wheel-drive A 220 test car returned over 29 mpg, demonstrating its efficiency in varied driving conditions.
Value and Trims
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is available in a single trim level, the A 220. It comes well-equipped with a range of standard features, including LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and the MBUX infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen.
As is typical for German luxury brands, the A-Class offers a wide array of optional packages and stand-alone features that can significantly enhance its luxury, technology, and sporty appeal. Key packages to consider include:
- Premium Package: Upgrades the infotainment display to a larger 10.25-inch screen, adds a larger digital instrument panel, and includes power-folding side mirrors.
- Driver Assistance Package: Adds a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot intervention, and more.
- Parking Assistance Package: Includes a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and an automated parking system.
- AMG Line Package: Enhances the A-Class’s sporty appearance with AMG-style exterior styling, 18-inch AMG wheels, sport seats, and sport steering wheel.
While adding options can increase the price, the 2022 A-Class, even in its base form, represents a compelling value proposition in the entry-level luxury segment. It delivers a genuine Mercedes-Benz experience with a high level of standard equipment and available features that rival those found in larger, more expensive models.
Mercedes-Benz offers a standard four-year/50,000-mile warranty for the A-Class, which is typical for the luxury segment. Roadside assistance is also included for the warranty period.
Recommendation
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is an excellent choice for buyers seeking a compact luxury sedan that doesn’t compromise on quality, technology, or driving enjoyment. It’s particularly well-suited for individuals or couples who prioritize a sophisticated and feature-rich vehicle in a smaller, more city-friendly size. While rear passenger space is not its strongest suit, the A-Class excels in delivering a refined driving experience, a luxurious interior, and cutting-edge technology, all wrapped in a stylish and desirable Mercedes-Benz package. Despite its discontinuation in the US market after 2022, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class remains a standout and highly recommendable option in the entry-level luxury sedan class for those seeking a final opportunity to own this impressive model new.
