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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $30,621–$38,510 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $30,621–$38,510, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. At 7.5/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $30,621 starting price is about 11% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the A-Class model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $34,650 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $31,631 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $30,621 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $29,612 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $28,602 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.