Mercedes stops A-class - here are the ten best alternatives

2022-07-04T10:58:36.154Z

Mercedes stops A-class - here are the ten best alternatives Created: 07/04/2022, 12:50 p.m By: Marcus Efler The Mercedes A-Class will be phased out without a successor: it no longer fits into the Swabian luxury strategy. The photo series shows ten convincing alternatives. 1 / 10VW Golf: It is and remains the reference for compact cars - and thus also the model for the Mercedes A-Class. Even if

Mercedes stops A-class - here are the ten best alternatives

Created: 07/04/2022, 12:50 p.m

By: Marcus Efler

The Mercedes A-Class will be phased out without a successor: it no longer fits into the Swabian luxury strategy.

The photo series shows ten convincing alternatives.

1 / 10VW Golf: It is and remains the reference for compact cars - and thus also the model for the Mercedes A-Class.

Even if VW becomes electrified, the classic (now in its eighth generation) will remain in the program for the time being, while the technically similar Audi A3 will probably have a purely electric successor.

As a petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid, prices from 28,800 euros.

2 / 10BMW 1er: The direct competitor of the A-Class should benefit from its end.

Unlike Mercedes and Audi, BMW wants to continue producing combustion models, which should secure the future of the model series.

As a BMW M135i xDrive with 306 hp (pictured), it also meets high power requirements.

With petrol and diesel engines, prices from 29,500 euros.

3 / 10Opel Astra: The eternal competitor of the VW Golf convinces with a somewhat bolder design and good workmanship.

The new generation is available as a hatchback and station wagon.

Currently in the range with petrol and diesel engines as well as a plug-in hybrid, a fully electric variant will follow in 2023. Prices from 26,650 euros.

4 / 10Hyundai i30: The South Koreans will also switch to electromobility in the medium term, but will continue to maintain their classic model portfolio.

The i30, which is also available as a 250 hp N version, is technically related to the Kia Ceed.

Only available as a petrol engine, but also as a station wagon and hatchback.

Prices from 19,330 euros.

5 / 10Renault Mégane: The French continue to give their customers a choice in the compact class.

Petrol, diesel, plug-in or fully electric?

The Mégane offers all variants and is available as a hatchback version and as a station wagon ("Grand Tour").

Prices from 27,600 euros.

6 / 10Mazda3: The Japanese are taking their time with the electrification of their model range and are continuing to maintain classic models such as their compact 3 Series.

It is available with two rear variants and only as a mild hybrid petrol engine, i.e. with slight support from a small electric motor.

Prices from 25,890 euros.

©Mazda

7 / 10Cupra Born: Why not change the type of drive with the brand?

The Cupra Born is designed as a purely electric car, offers a compact 4.32 meters, a well usable interior and a cheekier design than its brave brother, the VW ID.3.

Price from 37,220 © Laurent Sanson/Imago

8 / 10Toyota Corolla: The epitome of the Japanese compact car is a solidly made everyday companion.

The world's best-selling car also shows that the Japanese are struggling with electrification after flying high as a hybrid pioneer: There are no plug-in or electric versions, but there are two body versions of the full hybrid.

Prices from 27,550 euros.

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9 / 10Peugeot 308: The chic French from the Stellantis group is a technical relative of the Opel Astra.

It will also soon be getting a purely electric drive, it is currently available as a petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid and in two body variants - as well as a station wagon.

Prices from 30,600 euros.

10 / 10Honda Civic e:HEV: With a length of 4.52, the Japanese is one of the larger compact cars.

Its unusual hybrid system automatically switches between petrol engine and electric motor, but it is not a plug-in.

There are no other engines, price: 31,900 euros.

©Honda

Munich – Mercedes-Benz is declining.

To where the Swabians were in the 1960s and 1970s: to a supplier of large luxury cars.

The future competitors will be Bentley, Jaguar and Porsche, perhaps even Audi and BMW.

There is no longer any room for a compact car that is not cheap but offers good value for money: the A-Class, introduced in 1997 as a small but innovative van and currently as a 4.29 meter long hatchback According to media reports, the car on the way will be phased out in 2025 – as will the 4.55 meter long notchback version.

In the future, fans of the handy Mercedes can of course switch to the SUV GLA, or straight away to the all-electric EQA – but these are significantly more expensive than the previous entry-level model from Stuttgart, which is available from 28,096 euros.

Many motorists also continue to appreciate the coherent overall concept of compact cars.

For them, we present ten convincing alternatives in our photo series.

Source: merkur

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