Premium German Style, Downsized

Mercedes has traditionally been a maker of rear-wheel-drive vehicles with regular forays into AWD territory, but after reading a Mercedes-Benz A-Class review and perusing the specifications, we soon realized that the mold has been broken with this small FWD Mercedes. It’s hardly a new development, since BMW fans were similarly unimpressed with the resolutely RWD Bavarian automaker’s move to FWD as the base drivetrain for the X1 and X2. But it was necessary. Buyers have voted with their wallets and love these vehicles for their practicality, so the move to front-wheel drive has been a success for both marques, regardless of what the purists say.

Keeping the compact luxury car alive

In the cut-throat compact luxury car segment, rear-wheel-drive platforms and longitudinally mounted engines are now exchanged for cheaper, modular FWD platforms that have been designed to accommodate AWD, killing two birds with one stone. It’s a philosophy that BMW has also adopted and that has been used by Audi in this class for years. In Mercedes’ case, the compact and versatile MFA2 platform now not only underpins the A-Class, but also the CLA, as well as the GLA and GLB crossovers.

It means the A-Class is anything but a one-trick pony and shares its bones with many siblings to spread costs and achieve economies of scale, so Mercedes can compete in this lucrative segment at competitive prices. It’s also been smart in presenting the A-Class in two flavors, with the CLA donning more sophisticated suspension, more power, and a svelte coupe-style body with frameless doors. The A-Class sedan is the rational option and the CLA, its stylish, sporty compatriot.

Not that its market positioning is irrational, since the previous-generation CLA sold more than 750,000 copies during its stint, so style certainly pays if there’s a Mercedes star on the hood. Now, Mercedes is simply hedging its bets by offering the slightly more practical and affordable “normal” A-Class sedan, too. This opens the door for those that may feel the CLA is perhaps a little too posh and expensive.

A tech hero for the target market

Mercedes-Benz arguably also has a leg up on the competition with its featureful MBUX infotainment system, replete with everything needed by the baby Benz’s target market - young and upcoming, tech-savvy professionals. Mercedes would be remiss to not capitalize on the expected A-Class buyer’s demands for the latest technology, whether it’s a smartphone, computer, or car.

By including in the A-Class and all its related models the style, substance, luxury, and modern technology features that will keep buyers new to the Mercedes brand hooked, the German automaker has played its ace and should be seeing strong sales in the compact segment, especially considering its asking price starts below $34,000.