Compare the2022 Toyota CamryVS 2021 Mercedes A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Camry are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes A-Class doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Camry are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A-Class doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Camry has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Camry has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 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 Camry XLE/XSE offers an optional Rear Cross Traffic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Camry’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 A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Camry’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 A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Camry and the A-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Camry its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 63 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A-Class has not been tested, yet.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Camry 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the A-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Camry for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the A-Class.

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camry’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Camry’s reliability 48 points higher than the A-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 25 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Mercedes is ranked 20th.

The Camry AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (202 vs. 188) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (203 vs. 188) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camry XSE AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (205 vs. 188) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camry XSE’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (206 vs. 188) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camry’s optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 113 more horsepower (301 vs. 188) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Camry V6 is faster than the Mercedes A-Class:

On the EPA test cycle the Camry gets better mileage than the A-Class:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Camry uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camry AWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the A-Class (14.4 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Camry FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the A-Class (15.8 vs. 13.5 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Toyota Camry, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A-Class.

For better stopping power the Camry TRD’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A-Class:

The Camry stops shorter than the A-Class:

For better traction, the Camry has larger standard tires than the A-Class (215/55R17 vs. 205/55R17). The Camry SE/XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The Camry has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 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 A-Class don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camry’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the A-Class (111.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camry is .7 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A-Class.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Camry a Mid-size car, while the A-Class is rated a Compact.

The Camry has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A-Class (100.4 vs. 93).

The Camry has .3 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the A-Class.

The Camry has a much larger trunk than the A-Class (15.1 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

Consumer Reports rated the Camry’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the A-Class’ headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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

The Camry will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Camry will retain 47.56% to 51.62% of its original price after five years, while the A-Class only retains 44.19% to 45.42%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Camry will be $4548 to $19523 less than for the Mercedes A-Class.

The Toyota Camry has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camry first among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A-Class isn’t in the top three.