Compare the2022 BMW 3 Series SedanVS 2021 Mercedes AMG A-Class

The 3 Series Sedan has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 3 Series Sedan 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 3 Series Sedan 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 3 Series Sedan’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 3 Series Sedan’s optional 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 3 Series Sedan 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 3 Series Sedan the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 121 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG A-Class has not been tested, yet.

The 3 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG A-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 3 Series Sedan 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.

The battery on the 3 Series Sedan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 3 Series Sedan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The AMG A-Class’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

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 M340i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (382 vs. 302) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the M340i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mercedes AMG A-Class:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan gets better mileage than the AMG A-Class:

Regenerative brakes improve the 3 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the AMG A-Class have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 3 Series Sedans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The 3 Series Sedan has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG A-Class (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 3 Series Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the AMG A-Class.

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the AMG A-Class:

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional 255/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG A-Class’ optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 3 Series Sedan offers optional 20-inch wheels. The AMG A-Class’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 3 Series Sedan’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the AMG A-Class (112.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 3 Series Sedan is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the AMG A-Class.

The front grille of the 3 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 330i is quieter than the AMG A 35:

The 3 Series Sedan has .2 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG A-Class.

The 3 Series Sedan has a much larger trunk than the AMG A-Class (13 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 3 Series Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 3 Series offers cargo security. The AMG A-Class’ non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 3 Series Sedan offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The engine in the 3 Series Sedan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG A-Class. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 3 Series Sedan has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the AMG A-Class offer optional heated front seats. The 3 Series Sedan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG A-Class.

The 3 Series Sedan is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.