Hyundai Staria vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Staria starts from $50,500 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class opens at $48,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the more affordable entry point by $1,600.
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 $55,550 and $53,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by roughly $5,415 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Staria and Mercedes-Benz A-Class hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Hyundai Staria and 96% for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Hyundai Staria.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Staria and 7 in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Staria features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets a 10.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class counters with ambient lighting that the Hyundai Staria does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Staria uses a Petrol producing 200kW and 331Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 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 Hyundai Staria has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Staria measures 5,253mm long on a 3,273mm wheelbase, 834mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class at 4,419mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Staria generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 703L in the Hyundai Staria and 370L in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, giving the Hyundai Staria a 333L advantage. The Hyundai Staria seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Hyundai Staria leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 12.6m
Based on 12.6m 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 $2,993/year for the Hyundai Staria and $1,910/year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. That is a $1,083 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Estimated annual total: $2,993 (Hyundai Staria) vs $1,910 (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class saves you roughly $1,083 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Staria) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Staria if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Staria and Mercedes-Benz A-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class will save you roughly $1,083 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Staria has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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