Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Subaru BRZ
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.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$48,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,190RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Mercedes-Benz A-Class & Subaru BRZ
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class starts from $48,900 before on-road costs, while the Subaru BRZ opens at $49,190. That makes the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the more affordable entry point by $290.
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 $53,790 and $54,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by roughly $5,415 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz A-Class a rating. We hold no ANCAP data for the Subaru BRZ. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006580 · published 30 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the cable connecting the handle of one or more of the doors to the internal release mechanism may have been incorrectly mounted and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- 30 more on the model page.
Subaru BRZ
- REC-005776 · published 13 Sep 2023Due to a potential design concern with the rear tail lights control circuit, the turn and hazard indicators lamps may not illuminate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru BRZ gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru BRZ. The Subaru BRZ counters with heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru BRZ offers ultrasuede and leather accented.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class uses a Petrol producing 100kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ responds with a Petrol making 174kW and 250Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ has the clear power advantage at 174kW vs 100kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru BRZ is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class measures 4,419mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 154mm longer than the Subaru BRZ at 4,265mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 370L in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and 201L in the Subaru BRZ, giving the Mercedes-Benz A-Class a 169L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,625/year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ. That is a $1,083 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz A-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru BRZ).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 62
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 62), taking 4 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz A-Class ahead by 35), practicality (Mercedes-Benz A-Class ahead by 22), performance (Subaru BRZ ahead by 21). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class will save you roughly $1,083 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, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Subaru BRZ?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the cheapest at $48,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru BRZ by $290.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and we hold no ANCAP data for Subaru BRZ, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the largest boot at 370L with the seats up.
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 Subaru BRZ makes the most power at 174kW. The Subaru BRZ is quickest to 100km/h in 6.3s.
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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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