Compare the2023 Acura IntegraVS 2022 Mercedes A-Class

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

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Integra offers an optional Low-Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Integra’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 Integra’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The A-Class doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Integra 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Integra its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A-Class has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the Integra 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.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the Integra for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the A-Class.

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 Integra’s reliability 36 points higher than the A-Class.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 16 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (200 vs. 188) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura Integra 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 Integra 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 Integra higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Mercedes A-Class (5). This means the Integra produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A-Class every 15,000 miles.

The Integra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A-Class doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Integra stops shorter than the A-Class:

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the A-Class (215/50R17 vs. 205/55R17). The Integra A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The Integra’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 Integra 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.

The Integra offers an optional 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.

The Acura Integra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Mercedes A-Class.

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

The Integra has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A-Class (95.8 vs. 93).

The Integra has .5 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 22% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The A-Class has never been chosen.

The Acura Integra outsold the Mercedes A-Class by over two to one during 2022.