Compare the2022 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2021 Mercedes AMG A-Class

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the AMG A-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 2 Series Gran Coupe the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG A-Class has not been tested, yet.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG A-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG A-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 20th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is faster than the Mercedes AMG A-Class:

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the AMG A-Class:

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the AMG A-Class.

For better stopping power the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG A-Class:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops shorter than the AMG A-Class:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M235i) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG A-Class; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG A-Class don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is quieter than the AMG A 35:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has .4 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear legroom than the AMG A-Class.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the AMG A-Class (15.1 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance.