Alfa Romeo Junior vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

Alfa Romeo Junior
From $45,900
Hatchback
Petrol MHEV
107kW
4.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
270L

Mercedes-Benz A-Class
From $48,900
Hatchback
Petrol
100kW
5.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
370L
Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior starts from $45,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class opens at $48,900. That makes the Alfa Romeo Junior the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,490 and $53,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Junior by roughly $2,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Junior stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and power tailgate that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Alfa Romeo Junior gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses a Petrol MHEV producing 107kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class responds with a Petrol making 100kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the clear power advantage at 107kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Junior is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Junior measures 4,170mm long on a 2,560mm wheelbase, 249mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class at 4,419mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 270L in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 370L in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz A-Class a 100L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.0m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,169/year for the Alfa Romeo Junior and $1,625/year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. That is a $456 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Junior.
Estimated annual total: $1,169 (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs $1,625 (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). The Alfa Romeo Junior saves you roughly $456 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Junior if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Junior will save you roughly $456 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Junior and Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The Alfa Romeo Junior is the cheapest at $45,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by $3,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses the least fuel at 4.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Alfa Romeo Junior all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the largest boot at 370L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Junior makes the most power at 107kW. The Alfa Romeo Junior is quickest to 100km/h in 8.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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