Volkswagen Polo 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.
Volkswagen Polo
From $32,990
Hatchback
Petrol
85kW
5.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
381L
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
From $48,900
Hatchback
Petrol
100kW
5.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
370L
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Polo starts from $32,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz A-Class opens at $48,900. That makes the Volkswagen Polo the more affordable entry point by $15,910.
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 $36,289 and $53,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
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 Volkswagen Polo features a 8-inch touchscreen, 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 Volkswagen Polo stands out with wireless charging that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Polo uses a Petrol producing 85kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.1 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 Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the clear power advantage at 100kW vs 85kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Polo measures 4,080mm long on a 2,564mm wheelbase, 339mm 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 381L in the Volkswagen Polo and 370L in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, giving the Volkswagen Polo a 11L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,050kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.1m to 11.0m
Based on 10.1m 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 $1,568/year for the Volkswagen Polo and $1,625/year for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Polo.
Estimated annual total: $1,568 (Volkswagen Polo) vs $1,625 (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). The Volkswagen Polo saves you roughly $57 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Polo) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz A-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Polo if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz A-Class if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Volkswagen Polo and Mercedes-Benz A-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Volkswagen Polo will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volkswagen Polo and Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
The Volkswagen Polo is the cheapest at $32,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz A-Class by $15,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Polo uses the least fuel at 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Polo all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Polo has the largest boot at 381L.
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 Mercedes-Benz A-Class makes the most power at 100kW. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is quickest to 100km/h in 9.5s.
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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