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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes A Class Saloon comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 320 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 32,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or Mercedes A Class Saloon?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs Mercedes A Class Saloon: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • clearly more power
  • a bit more electric range
  • noticeably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit more trunk space
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Mercedes A Class Saloon

  • clearly cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • marginally lighter
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Mercedes A Class Saloon is clearly cheaper – starting at 32,700 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,221 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes A Class Saloon uses 0.7 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the BMW 3 Series Saloon with 2.4 L/100km. The difference is about 1.7 L/100km.

As for electric range, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers a bit more range – reaching up to 101 km, about 13 km more than the Mercedes A Class Saloon.

A Class Saloon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers clearly more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 320 HP. That’s roughly 210 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Mercedes A Class Saloon takes 4.8 s. That’s about 1.3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers visibly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 450 Nm. That’s about 250 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes A Class Saloon is marginally lighter – 1,450 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 125 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers a bit more boot space – 480 L compared to 395 L. That’s a difference of about 85 L.

When it comes to payload, the BMW 3 Series Saloon carries very slightly more – 495 kg compared to 490 kg. That’s a difference of about 5 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes A Class Saloon is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £32,700
A Class Saloon

Mercedes A Class Saloon

  • Engine Type : Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 320 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 0.7 - 8.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 88 km
BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes A Class Saloon

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

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Mercedes A Class Saloon

The Mercedes A‑Class Saloon blends compact practicality with premium flair, wrapping a surprisingly spacious interior in a slick, modern package that feels more grown-up than its hatchback sibling. It’s an ideal choice for city drivers who want Mercedes polish and cutting-edge tech without the ostentation of a larger saloon, and it even manages to make the daily commute feel a little bit special.

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
Mercedes A Class Saloon

Costs and Consumption

Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Price
32,700 - 55,900 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
0.7 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
88 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
12.9 kWh
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
16 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
4
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
1,450 - 1,705 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
345 - 395 L
Length
-
Length
4,558 - 4,570 mm
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,796 mm
Height
-
Height
1,413 - 1,429 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
475 - 490 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
116 - 320 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.8 - 9.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
206 - 250 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
200 - 450 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
85 - 235 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, D, G, E
Brand
BMW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.