Compare the2022 Acura TLXVS 2022 Mercedes A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX 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.

The TLX’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 TLX’s optional rear 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 TLX 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, front wheel drive, 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 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 TLX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A-Class has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the A-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

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 TLX’s reliability 53 points higher than the A-Class.

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

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (272 vs. 188) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 167 more horsepower (355 vs. 188) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX is faster than the Mercedes A-Class:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The A-Class doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A-Class (15.9 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A-Class doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura TLX higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Mercedes A-Class (5). This means the TLX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A-Class every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, 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 TLX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A-Class:

The TLX stops much shorter than the A-Class:

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the A-Class (235/50R18 vs. 205/55R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (255/35R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A-Class’ standard 55 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the A-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A-Class. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A-Class.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A-Class doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the A-Class (113 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the A-Class.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the A 220 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the A 220 (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A-Class doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TLX has .7 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the A-Class.

The TLX has a much larger trunk than the A-Class (13.5 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

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

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

The TLX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the A-Class. The TLX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the A-Class.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura TLX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes A-Class isn't recommended.

The Acura TLX outsold the Mercedes A-Class by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.