New Mercedes A-Class To Start At Just $32,500 - Should The Mainstream Market Shudder?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan will soon go on sale in the United States from $32,500, excluding a $995 destination and delivery charge.

For those of you keeping track, that’s $600 less than the starting price of the current CLA, which will soon be replaced by a new model..

The U.S. range of A-Class Sedan models will start with the A 220. This variant, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine produces 188 hp and 221 lb-ft (299 Nm) of torque and comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard.

 

wilfred - 1/16/2019 10:45:01 AM

+3 Boost

Depending on how much options the dealer or it’s regional rep going to put on top. The CLA also started in the low $30s but you will be lucky to find one in the mid to hi $30s. By then you are better off buying the much better C300 which is much easier to find in the low $40s.

Truthy - 1/16/2019 11:00:26 AM

+2 Boost

Agree. I looked at the CLA when it was introduced with an advertised starting price of $28,950. No dealer had one for under $40 K. The dealer had a loaded 300C loaner with 3600 miles for less than a new CLA.
For the money today, I would go with a Kia Stinger or Genesis G70 for a better driving, roomier and better made car.

cidflekken - 1/16/2019 2:50:53 PM

+2 Boost

Well we all know that in most cases it isn’t how much car I want for my money, it’s how much Mercedes (or BMW or Audi) can I get for my money.
The key here is that it will get foot traffic in the door and people will still be willing to pay in the mid 40’s for the car. Loaded Accords, Camrys and such are going for almost 40k these days. If people really need room for a family they wouldn’t be looking at the A class begin with.

Runamukk - 1/16/2019 4:09:53 PM

+2 Boost

Because of the standard features and the awesome way they packaged the options, you only need to spend about $37k to get a really impressive car with all the cool tech stuff. I couldn't really make a case for anything over $40k unless money was just burning a hole in your pocket.

Truthy - 1/16/2019 5:43:37 PM

+1 Boost

The GTI is a better car in every way over the CLA. The CLA interior looks cheap.

MDarringer - 1/17/2019 8:28:57 AM

+2 Boost

I'm no fan of VW, but the difference in handling between a GTI and the current CLA are astounding. Something's not right with the Mercedes, but what do you expect when you take a dumpy Renault Megan platform and pretend it's your premium FWD chassis.

cidflekken - 1/17/2019 1:51:46 PM

+1 Boost

The Civic Type-R is also better than the current CLA but they are pandering to different buyers not the GTI/WRX/CTR crowd.

On that note the new CLA interior will be a huge improvement over the outgoing model.

ricks0me - 1/16/2019 7:16:11 PM

+4 Boost

Mercedes should shudder for bringing that P.O.S. to the U.S.A.

MDarringer - 1/17/2019 8:26:45 AM

+2 Boost

That's a lot of cash for a Renault Megane with a Mercedes emblem.

Tiberius1701A - 1/17/2019 10:25:13 AM

+1 Boost

'The Best Or Nothing™' My hind end.

MDarringer - 1/17/2019 8:13:17 PM

+1 Boost

Gurl, hold my tea. LOL

carsnyc - 1/17/2019 7:44:22 PM

+2 Boost

Hard to justify when an Accord is more car than this and will last longer. Hard young and not too tall Merc fans rejoice. It is your right.

MDarringer - 1/17/2019 8:12:55 PM

+1 Boost

The CamCordFusOptiNata is simply far more for the money and better reliability. For the price of an A Class or a CLA you can have the Fusion Sport--as an example--and not give up an iota of performance but gain in reliability and--I think--superior looks.

mini22 - 1/20/2019 4:49:48 PM

+1 Boost

Try and find one under 39 grand and I'll eat my hat. A software challenged Giulia looks way better and would be way more fun to drive(assuming its running that day). Further why would you buy this over a 4 cylinder Stinger or G70 or and Audi A3.