BMW-2-Series-vs-Mercedes-A-Class|Mercedes Interior|Mercedes Engine|BMW Engine|BMW 2 series Interior

The BMW 2 Series vs Mercedes A Class are considered entry points into the German manufacturer’s luxury range. The fight for the best compact luxury sedan is a close one, and hot on their heels is the Audi A3, which promises a similar package with the added status appeal.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe’s swooping lines and sporty demeanour are in contrast to the Mercedes A-Class cleaner, traditional styling. Yet, they both have a lot to offer in terms of advanced technology, refined engines and perhaps the best in automotive driving dynamics.

Let’s have a detailed look at these two impressive sedans and compare their price, specifications and features.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BMW 2 Series vs Mercedes A Class – Engine

The BMW 2 Series is offered in 3 variants with 1 diesel engine and petrol engine option. The diesel is a 2.0-litre oil burner producing 187 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. The petrol unit offers 189 bhp of maximum power and 280 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options are a 7-speed automatic for the petrol and an 8-speed automatic for the diesel powerplant. There are three driving modes available – EcoPro, Sport and Comfort that adjust engine performance, transmission settings and suspension. The engine is distinguished by refined characteristics, although it can get throaty in sport mode. The power is perfect for city driving and can perform well if you push it hard. The gearbox takes its time but shifting is smooth without any jerks.

Mercedes Engine

The Mercedes Benz A-Class Limousine features a 1.3 litre, four-cylinder, turbo petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. There is also a 2-litre, diesel unit mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The petrol engine is an eager performer due to its turbocharged supplement and you get smooth driving from the DCT gearbox. Mercedes Benz has some of the best engines in the world and the A-Class is no different. Strong and linear acceleration keeps the driver involved without straining the motor. There are three driving modes, namely, Eco, Sport and Comfort to cater to different driving perspectives.

BMW Engine

Mercedes A-class vs BMW 2-series – Exterior design and interiors

The A-Class gets a familiar Mercedes Benz interior with plenty of leather, wood and aluminium to give you that luxurious experience. Turbine air conditioner vents made of brushed alloys, a wide touchscreen interface and well-laid-out control make the Mercedes a pleasant cabin to be seated in. Space is ample including rear leg room; however, tall passengers will be a bit annoyed with the low roof. You get generous boot space and fold-down rear seats if you plan on carrying a lot of luggage on your road trip. The whole cabin oozes high quality and convenience.

Mercedes Interior

The exterior of the A-Class looks like a scaled-down Mercedes S-Class or E-Class. It gets adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and stylish 17-inch alloy wheels that help the compact sedan glide down the road. The car suspension and tyres of the A-Class provide a plush ride that resists body roll around corners. Mercedes have sorted out the ride and handling, tuning it to Indian roads. The steering is very intuitive and responds well to rapid input.

The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe is the sportier of the two, featuring swept-back headlights and chiselled body panels for a muscular stance. The roof line slopes back towards the rear, finishing off with a well-sculpted rear. The styling cues seem to have been borrowed from the 8-Series Gran Coupe with dual exhausts and 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

BMW 2 series Interior

The 2-Series seats wrap around the driver and passengers, securing them firmly in place as if they were a custom fit. The fully digital driver instrument cluster and ergonomic touchscreen infotainment system are some of the stand-out features of the BMW’s cabin. Interior space is limited to 4 passengers due to a bulging rear handrest and limited legroom. Ingress/egress can be a bother with tall passengers due to the sloping roof and low-slung chassis. The 2-Series suspension is firm enough to soak up bumps while filtering out vibrations in the cabin. The steering response is quick and nimble urging the driver to push harder when given the opportunity. 

Must Read BMW Electric Cars India launch in 2022

BMW 2 Series vs Mercedes A Class – Price, Specifications and Feature Comparison

The BMW and Mercedes share similarities in terms of price and features. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe starting price is Rs. 41.49 lakh (average ex-showroom price) for the 220i Sport variant while the Mercedes Benz A-Class Limousine costs Rs.41.99 lakh (average ex-showroom price). Both luxury compact sedans are available with petrol engines and automatic (torque converter / dual-clutch transmission) gearboxes. There are also diesel engine options for the BMW and Mercedes compact sedans.

Here is a detailed look as we compare the Mercedes A-class vs BMW 2-series in terms of specifications and features.

 BMW 2 SeriesMercedes – Benz A-Class
Average Ex-showroom PriceRs.41.49 lakhRs.41.99 lakh
Engine1998 cc, 4 Cylinders1332 cc, 4 cylinders
Engine Model2 Litre Twin Power Turbo1.3 Litre M282 Turbocharged L4
FuelPetrolPetrol
Top Speed240 km/h230 km/h
Acceleration (1-100 km/h)7.1 seconds8.3 seconds
Maximum bhp (power)189 bhp @ 5,000 rpm161 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
Maximum torque (Nm @ rpm)280 Nm @ 1,350 rpm250 Nm @ 1,620 rpm
Fuel Economy (kmpl)14.8 kmpl17.5 kmpl
DrivetrainFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic Torque Converter – 7-Speed, Paddle Shift With Sports ModeAutomatic Dual Clutch Transmission – 7-Speed, Paddle Shift With Sports Mode
TurbochargedYesYes
Emission StandardBS6BS6
Extra FeaturesRegenerative Braking, Idle Start/StopIdle Start/Stop
Wheelbase (mm)2670 mm2729 mm
Ground Clearance (mm)152 mm
Length (mm)4526 mm4549 mm
Height (mm)1420 mm1446 mm
Width (mm)1800 mm1796 mm
Kerb Weight (kg)1505 kg1385 kg
Boot Space (litres)430 litres405 litres
Fuel Tank (litres)50 litres43 litres
Front SuspensionSpring / Strut Axle – Single JointMcPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionSpring & Damper – Multi Link AxleTorsion Beam
Front BrakeDisc VentilatedDisc
Rear BrakeDisc VentilatedDisc
Steering TypePower Steering (Electrically Assisted)Power Steering (Electrically Assisted)
WheelsAlloyAlloy
Front Tyres255 / 45 R 17205 / 55 R17
Rear Tyres225 / 45 R17205 / 55 R17
Overspeed WarningYesYes
Forward Collision WarningNoYes
Automatic Emergency BrakingNoYes
NCAP RatingEuro NCAP – 5 StarsEuro NCAP – 5 Stars
Airbags6 Airbags7 Airbags
Tyre Pressure Monitoring SystemYesYes
Seatbelt WarningYesYes
ABSYesYes
EBDYesYes
Electronic Stability ProgramYesYes
Hill Hold ControlYesYes
Differential LockElectronicNo
AirconditioningAutomatic Climate Control, Dual ZoneDual Zone, Automatic Climate Control
Rear AcYes, Vents behind front armrestYes
Cabin Boot AccessYesNo
Parking AssistReverse CameraReverse Camera
Parking SensorsRearFront and Rear
Steering AdjustTelescopic – ManualTilt and Telescopic – Electric
12 Volt Power OutletsYesYes
Driver’s Seat Adjustment8 Way Adjustable – Electric12 Way Adjustable – Electric
Rear Seat AdjustmentYes – 2 WayYes- 2 Way
UpholsteryLeatherLeather
SunroofPanoramic SunroofPanoramic Sunroof
HeadlampsLEDLED Projector
DRLsLEDLED
Instrument ClusterAnalogueDigital
Shift IndicatorDynamicNo
Smart ConnectivityAndroid Auto, Apple CarPlayApple CarPlay, Android Auto
Battery WarrantyNoNo
Warranty (Years)Three YearsEight Years
Warranty (km)UnlimitedUnlimited
car accessories image

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe Pros and Cons

The compact sedan from BMW scores well on looks and performance. You get sport dynamics with a refined motor that is eager to please. BMW aims to target the youthful driver with a luxury four-door sedan offering.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe.

Pros

  • Strong performing engine with excellent refinement. BMW has always been known for sublime power plants mated to slick transmission systems.
  • A good alternative to a large SUV. The 2-Series is a stylish and luxurious compact sedan that plans to entice the youth with its muscular and sporty looks.
  • An exciting car to drive. Refined driving dynamics set the BMW apart from other compact sedans in this segment.
  • Loads of boot space and a low loading bay are convenient for long tours.
  • Well laid-out cabin has some ergonomic touches and a convenient set-up.
  • Light control and easily accessible functions make the BMW a breeze to drive through city traffic.
  • Considered a sport, luxury compact sedan for the urban youth. A well rounded package in terms of features and specifications.

Cons

  • An expensive vehicle at Rs.42 lakhs, which opens up other models in this same price range. You can’t ask for affordability from a German sedan but they could have positioned the 2-Series a little lower in this price range.
  • 5 passengers are a tight squeeze because of limited rear seat space. The legroom is also hampered by the transmission tunnel running along the cabin floor.
  • With tall SUVs being the preferred choice today, a low-slung sedan may not have many takers given the state of Indian roads. Ground clearance is lacking and there is a possibility of scraping speed bumps.
  • Getting in and out of the 2-Series may be difficult for the older folks.
  • Buyers may be swayed towards the 3-Series or BMW X1 which offer slightly more value for almost the same price.

Must Read Mercedes-AMG A45s Launched In India – Starts From Rs 79.5 Lakh

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine Pros and Cons

In a market dominated by compact SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine is a breath of fresh air in the guise of a luxury, compact sedan. It has exceptional brand value and multiple features coupled with advanced technology to offer.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of the A-Class sedan.

Advantages

  • Strong build quality is typical of Mercedes-Benz. The sedan is well-crafted and has a sturdy feel which translates to rock-solid handling.
  • The interior is luxurious and comfortable. Something you would expect from a Rs.40 lakh German sedan. Trim and upholstery make no compromise in terms of premium sensations.
  • Steering and suspension are well tuned to offer a sporty yet composed driving dynamic
  • An 8-year warranty provides hassle-free driving for owners, although you won’t expect much to go wrong with a Mercedes-Benz
  • Engine is efficient and rev-happy. Acceleration is quick and linear.
  • Touchscreen user interface is easy to use and intuitive. You won’t find yourself fiddling around with it while driving.
  • The car handles well along the twisty roads with a light and responsive steering feel.

Disadvantages

  • Rear seat space is not the best in this segment. Perhaps a reason why so many buyers opt for an SUV. Tall passengers will find it difficult to get comfortable in the cabin.
  • Suspension is a little firm when going over speed bumps and rough roads. Seems to have been tuned for minimum body roll but can get unsettling at times.
  • About the same price range as luxury, compact SUVs, making a tough choice for the urban driver looking for a status symbol.

Also Read Lexus Cars Price in India

Conclusion

Although the BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe isn’t really a coupe (it has four doors), it has carved a niche for itself in the compact luxury sedan segment with unique sports styling. Like its elder sibling, the 8 Series Gran Coupe, this mid-size sedan wows onlookers with its sloping roof and sleek design. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine is more traditional and some may say it is a more practical sedan. If only BMW had got the pricing right, the 2-Series would be a class apart from the rest. Unfortunately, at around Rs.45 lakh, you could get the larger 3-Series or even the X1, which are hugely popular models in the segment.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine is spacious, an excellent performer and has all the features one could wish for in a luxury car. The only other rivals that can stack up against the A-Class are the Audi A3 and BMW X1, which are big sellers in the Indian automotive industry. Again, with the right pricing, perhaps Mercedes would have an advantage with the A-Class, however, it is a well-rounded package that deserves superior status.

Be sure to check out our other blogs, A Comprehensive List Of The Best BMW Cars In India and Top Car Brands in India or visit Carorbis Blog for more.


Similar Posts