Mercedes-Benz. The name itself conjures images of stately sedans and powerful performance machines. Traditionally, when you thought of Mercedes, you pictured the luxurious S-Class or the sporty E-Class, especially if they bore the AMG badge, promising exhilarating power and sound. Mercedes’ innovations often debuted in these flagship models, trickling down to the rest of the range later.
So, when the keys to a 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 landed in my hand – the smallest sedan in their lineup, powered by their smallest engine – skepticism crept in. Comments from our Instagram followers echoed this sentiment, jokingly dubbing it the “Mercedes Corolla.” However, after spending time with this entry-level Benz, I came away genuinely impressed. The A220 is far more than just a small Mercedes; it’s a surprisingly capable and refined compact sedan.
What Exactly is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220?
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 marks the debut of the A-Class sedan in the United States. While the A-Class has been a staple in other markets for years, it’s a fresh face stateside. If you’re picturing something tiny, akin to a Toyota Yaris, banish that thought. The A220’s dimensions are remarkably similar to the mid-1990s “W202” C-Class and only marginally larger than the iconic 1980s 190E. In reality, it’s perfectly sized for most drivers, unless regularly transporting multiple passengers is a priority.
Under the hood of every A220 resides a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing a respectable 188 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque from a low 1,250 rpm. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) is the exclusive gearbox option. While front-wheel drive is standard, the majority of A220s you’ll find will feature the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, enhancing traction and all-weather capability.
Image showing the front three-quarter view of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, highlighting its sleek design and Mercedes grille.
Image displaying the rear of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, emphasizing its modern taillights and subtle trunk spoiler.
My test A220 was refreshingly lightly equipped, a welcome change from the often heavily-optioned press cars. Finished in classic Night Black over black “MB-Tex” heated vinyl seats, the key options included the adaptive suspension dampers and the impressive dual 10.25-inch screens powered by Mercedes’ cutting-edge MBUX infotainment system with augmented reality navigation. The MSRP of this well-appointed yet restrained model came in around $41,000.
Behind the Wheel: Driving Dynamics of the 2020 A220
Before delving into the A220’s driving characteristics, the seats deserve immediate praise. The standard, vinyl-covered seats in my test car were surprisingly comfortable and supportive. Forget about fancy multi-contour or ventilated options; these base seats are excellent, allowing you to allocate your budget elsewhere.
My A220 was fitted with the optional “Adaptive Damping” suspension, offering selectable firmness via driving modes. In Comfort mode, the suspension aims for a softer ride, while Sport mode stiffens things up. Mercedes also offers standard “comfort” suspension and a lowered, sport-tuned variant, both with fixed dampers. In Comfort mode, I found the Adaptive Damping suspension to be somewhat under-damped. Body control felt lacking, and city bumps were transmitted rather harshly into the cabin. However, switching to Sport mode dramatically improved the suspension’s composure. Body roll became well-managed, and the car felt planted and controlled, even over imperfect road surfaces and during spirited on-ramp maneuvers.
The 7G-DCT transmission, however, presented some frustrations. Under gentle acceleration, clutch engagement felt sluggish, almost hesitant. Despite confirming it started in first gear, there was a noticeable delay in power delivery from a standstill. Aggressive launches were often jerky and unrefined. City driving shift logic could also be improved, often feeling indecisive. “But it has paddle shifters!” you might exclaim, anticipating manual control. Unfortunately, engaging the paddles resulted in disappointingly slow shifts, far from the rapid responses expected from a dual-clutch gearbox. Gear changes were leisurely, and the transmission often seemed to override manual requests, reverting to automatic mode prematurely.
Close-up image of the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, showcasing its compact design.
Detailed image of the turbocharger unit within the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 engine bay, highlighting the forced induction technology.
Image showcasing the adjustable damping suspension component in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, illustrating the adaptive technology.
However, once you escape the confines of the city and reach open roads, the A220 truly shines. It transforms into a comfortable and capable highway cruiser, feeling remarkably stable and composed at speed. On winding back roads, the DCT transmission seems to awaken, intelligently selecting gears to keep the turbocharged engine within its optimal power band. While some purists might lament the front-wheel-drive bias of the standard A220, most buyers will opt for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive version, rendering any “bias” concerns irrelevant, especially since it can direct up to 50% of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels when needed. Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds for the A220 4Matic, which feels accurate and sufficiently quick for real-world driving.
In summary, the 2020 A220 may not be the most polished city car, but it excels as a comfortable and engaging companion for longer journeys, regardless of the road ahead.
The Essence of Mercedes-Benz in a Compact Package
My A220 test car was equipped with Mercedes’ augmented reality navigation, powered by the intuitive MBUX infotainment system. This advanced technology, which historically would have premiered in the flagship S-Class, made its debut in the A-Class and the Sprinter van – demonstrating Mercedes’ commitment to innovation across their entire range. The augmented reality navigation system utilizes a front-facing camera to overlay real-time video with directional arrows, street names, and building numbers directly onto the navigation display. This innovative system greatly enhances wayfinding and proves to be remarkably effective.
Image displaying the Mercedes-Benz MBUX augmented reality navigation system in action, showing the overlay of directions on a live camera feed.
Beyond the impressive navigation, I was struck by the overall “Mercedes-ness” of this smallest sedan. Everything inside feels substantial and well-assembled, embodying the quality expected of the brand. Personally, I might forgo the adaptive suspension in favor of Mercedes’ captivating ambient lighting and the exceptional Burmester surround sound system. These options would further elevate the A220’s premium feel while keeping the price close to my test car’s MSRP.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the A220 was its compact size. It evoked memories of the nimble and enjoyable compact sedans of the 1990s. The A220 is effortlessly maneuverable, easy to park in tight urban spaces, and feels surprisingly agile and tossable in corners – qualities often lacking in larger sedans. Visibility is excellent, and the low dashboard contributes to an airy and spacious feel. There’s no sense of being enclosed or overwhelmed by the car’s interior.
While it’s possible to configure an A220 with a plethora of options, pushing the MSRP beyond $52,000, my test car struck a near-perfect balance. It was neither overly basic nor excessively loaded – a “Goldilocks” build, just right. Mercedes-Benz has successfully recognized the demand for a smaller, more manageable luxury sedan and delivered a compact offering that genuinely embodies the premium qualities of its larger siblings. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 proves that Mercedes luxury and sophistication can indeed come in a smaller, more accessible package.
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Image showcasing the interior of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, focusing on the dashboard and steering wheel.
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Image highlighting the driver’s side door panel of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220, showing interior details.
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Image emphasizing the passenger side dashboard and trim of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220 interior.
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Image displaying the infotainment screen and center console area of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220.
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Image focusing on the seats and legroom in the rear passenger area of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz A220.
