Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury and innovation. But could they deliver a truly luxurious experience in their entry-level sedan, without compromising on the brand’s core values? Past attempts might have left some wanting, but the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class arrived to redefine expectations. Introduced the previous year to the US market, the A-Class impressed critics and buyers alike by delivering a genuine Mercedes-Benz experience at a more accessible price point.
The Upsides
- Combines a comfortable ride with engaging performance.
- Boasts a sophisticated interior with premium materials.
- Features the cutting-edge and user-friendly MBUX infotainment system.
The Downsides
- Noticeable wind noise at higher speeds.
- Some driver-assistance features can be overly sensitive at times.
What’s Fresh for 2020?
- The introduction of the AMG A 35, a performance-focused model with increased power and all-wheel drive.
- Continues as part of the first A-Class generation for the U.S., launched in 2019.
General Overview
The 2020 A-Class marks a significant shift in the entry-level luxury segment. It’s transformative because it elevates the standard for interior quality in its class. The materials used inside are genuinely high-end, surpassing competitors in the same price bracket. Furthermore, the A-Class brings some of Mercedes-Benz’s most advanced technology to a broader audience. The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, which debuted in the A-Class, is a prime example. It’s widely considered one of the best systems available today, and remarkably, it wasn’t even available on some of Mercedes-Benz’s more expensive models at the time of the A-Class’s launch.
Driving the 2020 A-Class reinforces its premium feel. The ride is refined and comfortable, exhibiting the composed road manners expected of a Mercedes-Benz. The standard A 220 engine provides more than adequate power for daily driving, and for those seeking more thrills, the AMG A 35 model significantly boosts performance. Mercedes-Benz addressed past criticisms head-on with the A-Class, resulting in a small luxury sedan that comes remarkably close to perfection in its category.
The subcompact luxury sedan market is competitive but relatively small. The most notable new rival at the time was the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which offered similar levels of style, performance, and price. Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz also launched a redesigned CLA for 2020, sharing many similarities with the A-Class. However, given the overwhelmingly positive reception of the A-Class, it was poised to remain a leader in this segment.
It’s worth noting that the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class was recognized as Edmunds’ Top Rated Luxury Sedan of 2020, a testament to its overall excellence.
Living with the A 220: A Long-Term Perspective
To gain deeper insights into the ownership experience, the Edmunds editorial team acquired a Mercedes-Benz A 220 for their long-term vehicle testing program. This involved a comprehensive 12-month, 20,000-mile evaluation to assess whether the A-Class truly delivered a genuine Mercedes-Benz luxury experience over extended use. Their long-term road test of the 2019 A-Class delved into various aspects, from seat comfort to real-world reliability, providing valuable information for prospective buyers considering the 2020 model as well, given the minimal changes between model years.
Edmunds Expert Rating: A Top Score
Great
8.4/10
edmunds TESTED
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team rigorously evaluates a wide range of vehicles each week, combining objective testing at their test track with real-world driving assessments on diverse roads. This comprehensive data-gathering process informs their Expert Ratings, which are based on over 30 scores covering every facet of the automotive experience.
The 2020 A-Class earned an impressive Edmunds Expert Rating, underscoring its exceptional blend of refined driving dynamics, outstanding build quality, and a futuristic cabin. It’s not just an “entry-level” Mercedes; it’s a Mercedes-Benz experience, distilled into a more compact form.
Rated by America’s best test team.
Performance: 8.5/10
How does the A-Class perform on the road? Edmunds testing of the A 220 revealed it to be surprisingly engaging to drive. Acceleration from a standstill is smooth and responsive, with minimal turbo lag. While not quite as quick as the Audi A3, the Mercedes still feels energetic. In Edmunds testing, it achieved a 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. The dual-clutch transmission is commendable for its type, though it can exhibit some slight hesitation in stop-and-go traffic. The brake pedal feel is immediately natural and confidence-inspiring, allowing for smooth and controlled stops from any speed. Handling is another strong point of the A 220. With optional summer tires, grip is plentiful, and the available all-wheel-drive system enhances traction when powering out of corners. Overall, the A-Class demonstrates excellent composure in various driving situations.
Comfort: 8.5/10
How comfortable is the 2020 A-Class for passengers? Mercedes-Benz aimed to prove that compact luxury cars can offer the same level of comfort as their larger, more expensive counterparts, and the A-Class largely succeeds. The suspension effectively absorbs most road imperfections at both high and low speeds, contributing to a smooth ride. The cabin of the A 220 is also remarkably quiet, minimizing road and wind noise. The front seats are well-shaped and supportive, accommodating a wide range of body types, although taller drivers might desire more upper-back support. The climate control system is effective, providing ample airflow through stylish turbine-inspired vents.
Interior: 8.5/10
What’s the interior of the A-Class like? The front cabin of the A-Class feels surprisingly spacious for a subcompact car. Driver and front passenger benefit from generous headroom, shoulder room, and elbow room. Rear passenger headroom is adequate, but legroom is somewhat limited. However, the sculpted front seatbacks do provide additional knee room for those in the rear. Outward visibility is acceptable, though the thick rear roof pillars and small rearview mirrors slightly restrict the rearward view. The A 220 is well-equipped with luxury and technology features that are generally user-friendly. The controls are well-designed with redundancy, ensuring most drivers can find a comfortable and intuitive way to operate them.
Technology: 8/10
How technologically advanced is the A-Class? The 2020 A-Class stands out as one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in its class, and even compared to larger sedans. The high-resolution central display responds quickly to touch inputs, button presses, or touchpad commands. The optional Burmester premium audio system is exceptional for a vehicle in this price range. The voice recognition system is capable of controlling various vehicle functions and understands natural speech. However, it can be a bit too sensitive and activate unintentionally at times. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with two USB-C ports. While generally sophisticated, some of the electronic driver aids can be overly intrusive, occasionally issuing false alarms, such as inaccurate speed limit warnings, requiring driver intervention to disable them.
Storage: 8/10
How practical is the A-Class for storage? Despite its compact size, the A 220 is surprisingly practical. The trunk is somewhat narrow, but the split-folding rear seats enhance cargo versatility. Ample interior storage helps keep the cabin tidy. Front occupants benefit from useful door pockets and a fairly deep center console bin, while rear passengers have door pockets for storage. The A-Class can handle family duties to some extent, but it’s not ideally suited for it. Child safety seat anchors are easily accessible, but the limited rear seat space can make installing rear-facing child seats a tight squeeze.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
How efficient is the A-Class on fuel? The A 220 achieves an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 28 mpg, which is typical for an entry-level luxury sedan. In Edmunds’ real-world mixed-driving evaluation, their all-wheel-drive A 220 test car slightly exceeded this figure, returning just over 29 mpg.
Value: 8.5/10
Is the A-Class a good value for money? The A 220 is well-equipped in its base form. However, as is common with European luxury cars, adding desirable option packages can significantly increase the final price. Nonetheless, the level of luxury, technology, and overall competence offered by the A-Class makes it feel like a worthwhile investment. Mercedes-Benz’s standard warranty coverage of four years/50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain is in line with its German competitors. Roadside assistance is also provided for the duration of the warranty. Prepaid scheduled maintenance plans are available at a discounted rate.
Wildcard: 8.5/10
The 2020 A-Class excels at delivering the modern Mercedes-Benz experience in a smaller package. It’s packed with technology, features, and luxury appointments. It’s also enjoyable to drive and has an undeniably upscale presence. Mercedes-Benz has effectively raised the bar for the entry-level luxury sedan class with the A-Class.
Edmunds Recommendation: Which A-Class Model to Choose?
While the AMG A 35 offers exhilarating acceleration, Edmunds suggests that most buyers will be perfectly satisfied with the standard A 220. The options list is extensive, but some packages offer particularly good value. The Premium package, with its keyless entry and upgraded displays, is highly recommended. For those living in urban environments, the Driver Assistance package is also a worthwhile consideration, as its advanced driving aids can significantly reduce driver fatigue in heavy traffic.
2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Models: Trims and Features
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is available in two main trim levels: A 220 and AMG A 35.
The A 220 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive available as an option. Standard feature highlights include LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, push-button start, MB-Tex simulated leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats. Technology features include a 7-inch central touchscreen, the MBUX infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking is also standard. Several option packages are available for the A 220, including the Premium package (keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, larger display screens), Multimedia package (advanced navigation system), and Driver Assistance and Parking Assistance packages.
The AMG A 35 utilizes a similar 2.0-liter turbocharged engine but significantly boosted to 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard on this performance-oriented model. While full details were not available at the time of the original review, it was expected to include the Premium package as standard, along with AMG-specific styling elements, a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and additional driving modes.
Notable standalone options for the A-Class include an adaptive suspension, adaptive headlights, leather upholstery, massaging multicontour front seats, a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and a premium 12-speaker Burmester surround-sound system.
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