Compare the2022 Mercedes A-ClassVS 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes A-Class have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The A-Class’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes A-Class has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The A-Class offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The A-Class offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Elantra Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the A-Class and the Elantra Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 lane departure warning systems.

Engine

The A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (188 vs. 139) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 195) than the Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes A-Class is faster than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

	A-Class	Elantra Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	83.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

The A-Class has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Elantra Hybrid (13.5 vs. 11 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes A-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Elantra Hybrid.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the A-Class’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Elantra Hybrid:

	A-Class	Elantra Hybrid
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.6 inches	10.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

The A-Class’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A-Class has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra Hybrid Blue Sedan. The A-Class’ optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the A-Class can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The A-Class offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Elantra Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The A-Class’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The A 220 handles at .87 G’s, while the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A 220 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan (26.5 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The A-Class is 5 inches shorter than the Elantra Hybrid, making the A-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A-Class easier. The A-Class’ trunk lift-over height is 26.1 inches, while the Elantra Hybrid’s liftover is 28.4 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the A-Class’ trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Elantra Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The A-Class’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra Hybrid’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the A-Class. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The A-Class uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Elantra Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The A-Class has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Elantra Hybrid Limited, the A-Class has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The A-Class offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The A-Class’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the A-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Elantra Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The A-Class’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra Hybrid’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The A-Class’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Elantra Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the A-Class offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The A-Class also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the A-Class is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Elantra Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The A-Class’ optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Elantra Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the A-Class’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the A-Class and the Elantra Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the A-Class has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The A-Class’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.