The though of Mercedes offering affordable vehicles to drive is somewhat ludicrous, but now its becoming more of a reality.
In an effort to entice new drivers to their brand, Mercedes-Benz offered the A and B Class vehicles to give drivers an affordable price point for entry into the luxury world. With more high-priced SUVs and sedans selling rapidly, the movement away from these entry-level models and into the fast-paced and insane EV world is on. Mercedes will soon offer nothing but electric cars, but that’s not where our focus is today.
More Sub-Brands, but not More Affordable Cars
Only a couple of months ago, Mercedes outlined a new strategy to put its lower-volume, higher-margin models into a new sub-brand that isn’t Maybach. Can you imagine a vehicle lineup from this brand sitting above the Maybach name? Well, that might be exactly what’s on tap. A new Mythos brand might be right where we see a new lineup of upper-crust-oriented Mercedes vehicles. This will put a greater distance between the entry-level driver and those that have the cache to drive cars and SUV with the three-point star from the time they come out of the womb.
Seven Will Drop to Four in 2025
The Mercedes lineup of affordable models does currently include seven models. These compact vehicles allow drivers to enjoy the Mercedes-Benz quality without spending too much. Starting in 2025, the brand will cut three of these models including the A-Class sedan, A-Class hatchback, and B-Class minivan. While many of the models wearing these three names don’t make it to the United States, this change in the lineup will impact what we see going forward as well. With these three out of the picture, the affordable vehicles left in this lineup will be:
- CLA-Class coupe-like sedan
- CLA-Class Shooting Brake fastback wagon (not in the US)
- GLA-Class crossover SUV
- GLB-Class crossover SUV
How long will it be before these four disappear from the luxury market as well?
Why Would a Brand Cut a Top Seller?
Looking at the A-Class, its currently in its fourth generation and its one of the best-selling vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Why would a car brand like Mercedes want to get rid of an affordable vehicle that sells well and brings customers to their vehicles? The simple answer is the profit margins. With the move toward electric powertrains, the A-Class won’t last because there isn’t enough room in the margins to add electrification without significantly increasing prices.
A New Platform Will Keep a Few Models Longer
The compact vehicles that will adopt the new modular platform known as the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) will continue onward for a little longer. This platform is being developed for small EVs and should support an internal combustion engine and hybrid configuration as well. This will be the last platform from this brand that will have this much versatility. Future platforms will only support EVs as this brand moves away from other models and will only offer electric vehicles in the future.
Should we Feel Special?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan is only sold in the United States, but it will be dropped after 2022 when the newest versions is offered to the rest of the world. That gives us mixed feeling about this small and relatively affordable Mercedes. Let’s take a look at what the A-Class offers.
The Elegance and Engagement you Desire
When you want a luxury car, but you don’t want to spend too much, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the car that gives you a great package. This car is elegant, engaging, and just the right level of luxurious to proudly wear the three-point star badge. The A-Class isn’t a family car, but that wasn’t its target in the first place. This car is excellent as a commuter car, a first car, and for a couple without kids.
The list of standard items offered makes the A-Class a car you want to drive. For less than $35,000 you find features that often don’t make it down to the base models. Some of these include:
- Panoramic moonroof
- Ambient cabin lighting
- Five USB ports
- Remote engine starting
- Digital gauge cluster
The A-Class Certainly Drives Like a Mercedes
Just because this car is the most affordable Mercedes model you can find, doesn’t mean its cheap or without qualities you want on the road. You’ll love the fact that it drives like a luxury car. The turbocharged engine is energetic and brings you good passing power on the highway. The short wheelbase brings you the agility desired, especially if you have the 4Matic AWD system which brings power to all four wheels for you. This is a little car you can fall in love with. There’s no denying the goal of the A-Class was to build brand loyalty by being a great car to drive.
Something Has to Be Cheap; Right?
Wrong; even though the A-Class is the least expensive car in the lineup doesn’t mean the brand allowed it to be anything but a true representation of the Mercedes-Benz name. The interior offers elegant design, plenty of premium materials, and a great package of features you’re sure to admire. The exterior build is elegant, sophisticated, and conservative; exactly what you expect out of this little car. The share LED lights and attractive wheels stand out and give the A-Class a special look you’re sure to admire.
It Will be a Sad Day When the A-Class is Gone
The decision to move away from some of the most affordable Mercedes vehicles in the market is a business decision we wish the brand would reconsider. It’s an understandable change, but the qualities build into the A-Class and other entry-level models from this brand will be lost in the new EV world.
Will we ever see another small, classy, luxurious sedan that makes us smile? Maybe, but that could be several years away when the EV technology finally becomes more affordable. Until then, we can gobble up remaining models of this little sedan and lament its demise.
