Compare the2024 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2022 Mercedes A-Class

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 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 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.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Cross Traffic Warning 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 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the A-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 4 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 44 points higher than the A-Class.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe third among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The A-Class isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 67 more horsepower (255 vs. 188) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 194 more horsepower (382 vs. 188) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The A-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A-Class (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Mercedes A-Class is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A-Class.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The A-Class doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A-Class:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A-Class are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the A-Class (245/45R18 vs. 205/55R17). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (F:245/40R19 & R:255/40R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A-Class’ standard 55 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the A-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A-Class. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A-Class.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the A-Class (112.4 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is .7 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A-Class.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has .1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A-Class.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The A-Class doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the A-Class. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Laser headlights, optional on the 4 Series Gran Coupe, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the A-Class’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the A-Class offer optional heated front seats. The 4 Series Gran Coupe also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the A-Class.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes A-Class isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Mercedes A-Class by over six to one during 2022.