The introduction of the compact Mercedes-Benz A-Class to the North American market in 2019-MY will represent a new entry point below the CLA-Class.
by Staff
July 31, 2018
1 min to read
Due in time for the 2019-MY, the A-Class will supplant the CLA-Class as Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level sedan in North America. Photo courtesy Mercedes-Benz USA
MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz is bringing its A-Class compact sedan to the U.S. market later this year as a 2019 model that will give buyers a new entry point just below the CLA and the first vehicle with the brand’s next-generation infotainment system that will also appear in the 2019 Sprinter van.
The 2019 A-Class will arrive with dimensions that are 3 inches shorter (179.1 inches) and a wheelbase that’s 1.1 inches longer (107.4 inches) than the CLA. It’s also 0.3 inches taller (56.9 inches) and will likely offer more headroom. Mercedes-Benz is debuting the vehicle in Brooklyn, New York, this month.
Ad Loading...
The luxury sedan would likely compete with BMW’s 2 Series (174.7 inches long) and perhaps the Lexus IS (184.3 inches in length). Trim grades will include the A220 and A220 4Matic powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine that makes 188 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The 2019 A-Class will arrive with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, which replaces the outgoing Comand system. MBUX brings augmented reality capabilities and intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition with a high-resolution touchscreen display and touchpad on the center console. Optional driver-assisting features introduced with the 2018 S-Class include a semi-autonomous driving mode, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, and rear automatic braking.
Building on a previously announced $26 billion U.S. investment, Hyundai said it will grow its North American lineup and U.S.-based production and parts sourcing.
Sony-Honda venture cancels two planned models, the first of which had been pegged for a mid-2026 California delivery debut. The brand’s direct sales had been challenged by the state’s auto dealers, but the venture cites Honda’s EV retreat.
Softening prices, rising credit availability and higher tax refunds could be behind February’s sales pace rise and accompanying dip in inventory, according to Cox Automotive.
The agency sent warning letters to dozens of auto groups about what it described as illegal practices and urged them to ensure their pricing policies enable transparency with consumers.
New-vehicle sales fell year-over-year for the fifth month in a row in February, making retail deliveries the slowest they’ve been since 2023, according to a CarGurus report.
The automaker says its California skunk works is already finding efficiencies to lighten traditionally heavy electric vehicles for lower cost, plus extended range.
GM says it sells the cheapest electric vehicle in the U.S. market. It explains how it made improvements to the entry-level EV while keeping its price down.
