Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Honda Civic vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class

What's the difference?

VS
Honda Civic
Honda Civic

$47,200 - $72,600

2024 price

Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Mercedes-Benz A-Class

$59,999 - $117,990

2023 price

Summary

2024 Honda Civic
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type
-

-
Fuel Efficiency
8.9L/100km (combined)

-
Seating
4

-
Dislikes
  • Price, maybe
  • Limited availability
  • Likely a swansong

  • Engine lacks drama expected from AMG
  • Ride feels unresolved
  • Big price jump over old model
2024 Honda Civic Summary

Before we dive in, this isn’t your typical road test. 

That’s because there’s no road, per se. Instead, the majority of what you’re about to read comes from The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.

You’ve read the headline, though, so you’re probably putting it all together: a Honda Civic Type R on a well-liked race track must be bliss. Let’s find out.

A very quick catch-up for those not in the know. The Honda Civic Type R (or CTR if you like) is the brand’s only performance model on sale after the demise of the NSX supercar. 

The current (FL5) CTR is a little over a year old, having been launched internationally in late 2022, but has only been on Aussie shores for a little while. In fact, we’ve already reviewed it for the road, back in April.

But Honda Australia was keen to get media behind the wheel in a setting it says the CTR thrives in - a racetrack. Its predecessor was a car loved almost universally, can this one live up to the new standard?

View full pricing & specs
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Summary

Think of a Mercedes-AMG and the first words that spring to mind are probably not - understated, efficient and restrained. And yet those are probably the best words to describe the all-new C 43.

Of course, before we go any further it’s important to note that the C 43, even in its previous six-cylinder guise, was never meant to be as wild, raucous or powerful as the C63 flagship - that’s simply not its role in the AMG line-up.

But even so, this new model is a dive into fresh territory for the brand and puts a very different spin on the AMG sports sedan as we know it.

This is a four-cylinder model, complete with a Formula One-derived electric turbocharger, so it lacks the sound and fury you expect from something carrying the ‘AMG’ badge - but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car, as we’ll explain.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2024 Honda Civic 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Change vehicle