Verdict
At RM189,888, the Hyundai Sonata costs RM49,000 less than the RM238,888 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, yet brings a far larger 510-litre boot, 2,840-mm wheelbase and 70-litre tank. It is the more sensible long-distance family sedan, also gaining rear air vents, a panoramic sunroof and around-view camera. The A-Class fights back with 270 Nm from its 1.33-litre turbo, 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time, Active Brake Assist and only RM70 annual road tax versus RM877. Choose space and equipment, or lower tax and stronger safety assistance.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata if you need D-segment rear-room potential, a 510-litre boot and a panoramic sunroof for RM49,000 less.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if lower annual road tax, 270 Nm turbo torque and Active Brake Assist matter more than cabin and boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Sonata RM189,888; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888.
- Engine and torque: Hyundai Sonata 2,497 cc naturally aspirated, 232 Nm; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 1,332 cc turbo, 270 Nm.
- Size: Hyundai Sonata 4,900 mm long with a 2,840-mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 4,549 mm and 2,729 mm.
- Boot and fuel tank: Hyundai Sonata 510 litres and 70 litres; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 420 litres and 51 litres.
- Road tax: Hyundai Sonata RM877 per year; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM70 per year.
- Transmission: Hyundai Sonata six-speed automatic; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
Sonata
- RM49,000 cheaper with a 510-litre boot.
- Longer 2,840-mm wheelbase and rear air vents.
- Panoramic sunroof, head-up display and around-view monitor.
- RM877 annual road tax versus RM70.
- 232 Nm trails the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan's 270 Nm.
- No autonomous braking or active parking assist.
A-Class Sedan
- 270 Nm turbo torque and an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Active Brake Assist, collision warning and Active Parking Assist.
- RM70 annual road tax and all-seat belt reminders.
- RM49,000 more expensive.
- 420-litre boot is 90 litres smaller, and the 51-litre tank is 19 litres smaller.
- No rear air vents, panoramic sunroof, head-up display or navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM189,888✓ | RM238,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM877 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,497 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 232 Nm | 270 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 88.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,549 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,840 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,448 kg | 1,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Lowered Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot View Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, 4-Way Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry with Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Active Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Wireless Qi Charger with Cooling Function, Head-up Display | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Sonata & A-Class Sedan for sale
Sonata vs A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan better?
The Sonata is better for family space, luggage and equipment, with a 510-litre boot and 2,840-mm wheelbase. The A-Class Sedan is better for low road tax, turbo torque and active safety aids, including Active Brake Assist.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM49,000 more than the Hyundai Sonata. That extra money brings the Mercedes' active safety and parking aids, but not more cabin length, boot space or fuel-tank capacity.
Which has lower running tax and stronger performance figures?
The A-Class Sedan has far lower annual road tax at RM70 against the Sonata's RM877. It also produces 270 Nm versus 232 Nm and has a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds; no Sonata sprint time is stated.