@ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
@ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
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Mercedes A-Class vs VW Golf – Performance, range & efficiency compared

Compare performance, boot capacity, efficiency and price at a glance.
Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes A-Class or VW Golf?

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

A-Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Golf has a noticeable advantage in terms of price – it starts at 25200 £, while the Mercedes A-Class costs 32300 £. That’s a price difference of around 7067 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Golf manages with 1.10 L and is therefore decisively more efficient than the Mercedes A-Class with 2.30 L. The difference is about 1.20 L per 100 km.

As for range, the VW Golf performs decisively better – achieving up to 143 km, about 58 km more than the Mercedes A-Class.

Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

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 VW Golf has a hardly perceptible edge – offering 333 HP compared to 320 HP. That’s roughly 13 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is slight quicker – completing the sprint in 4.60 s, while the Mercedes A-Class takes 4.70 s. That’s about 0.10 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the VW Golf performs slight better – reaching 270 km/h, while the Mercedes A-Class tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes A-Class pulls minimal stronger with 450 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 30 Nm difference.

A-Class @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, VW Golf is to a small extent lighter – 1307 kg compared to 1440 kg. The difference is around 133 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Golf offers hardly perceptible more room – 381 L compared to 350 L. That’s a difference of about 31 L.

In maximum load capacity, the VW Golf performs minimal better – up to 1237 L, which is about 47 L more than the Mercedes A-Class.

When it comes to payload, VW Golf minimal takes the win – 508 kg compared to 485 kg. That’s a difference of about 23 kg.

Who wins the race?

The VW Golf proves to be leaves the rival little chance and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
VW Golf is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £25,200
Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
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Mercedes A-Class

The Mercedes A‑Class arrives as a compact charmer that dresses premium materials and a cockpit full of screens in a tidy, city-friendly package, delivering surprising agility and poise. For buyers who want a luxury badge, clever tech and a car that's equally happy in tight streets or on a spirited country run, the A‑Class offers a grown-up feel with a cheeky streak.

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VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Costs and Consumption
Price
32300 - 55600 £
Price
25200 - 47600 £
Consumption L/100km
2.3 - 8.3 L
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
85 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
12.90 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
53 - 188 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1440 - 1695 kg
Curb weight
1307 - 1662 kg
Trunk capacity
310 - 350 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4428 - 4447 mm
Length
4282 - 4296 mm
Width
1796 mm
Width
1789 mm
Height
1407 - 1423 mm
Height
1454 - 1483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1125 - 1190 L
Max trunk capacity
1129 - 1237 L
Payload
475 - 485 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 320 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.7 - 9.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
202 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
202 - 270 km/h
Torque
200 - 450 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 235 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1332 - 1991 cm3
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, D, E, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW

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Is the Mercedes A-Class offered with different drivetrains?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.