Mercedes-Benz A35 vs Hyundai Elexio

What's the difference?

If you want a Mercedes-AMG A45 sedan, you’re dead out of luck - there isn’t going to be one. Your alternatives are the sleeker, more style-focused CLA 45 four-door ‘coupe’, or the A45 hatch, which is more often associated with boy racer types… with deep pockets.

Or you could buy this car - the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic sedan. A lot of pundits have questioned the two-prong AMG strategy in the hatchback range, with the A35 slotting between the already-pretty-hot A250 4Matic and A45 S.

In the sedan line-up, however, there’s a different approach, with the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic topping the range. So is it a fitting flagship for the small sedan line-up? It certainly has the tech, safety and equipment levels to live up to buyers’ expectations. 

And as a rival to the likes of the Audi S3 sedan, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and its own sibling, the Mercedes-AMG CLA35, does it offer a compelling alternative?

Let’s go through it, criteria by criteria.

There's a hell of a lot riding on the shoulders of the Hyundai Elexio, which is shaping as the brand's best shot to date at taking on Made In China models like the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y. 

While the Ioniq family sits atop the EV tree at Hyundai, the Elexio is a very different proposition. It's priced more sharply (the brand is quick to point out that it's only about $8 a week more expensive than a Sealion 7 on a novated lease), and it's the first Hyundai vehicle offered in Australia that's produced in the brand's Chinese factory through its Beijing Hyundai joint venture.

In short, it feels a lot like Hyundai is ready to take on BYD at their own game in Australia.

So, is the Elexio the pick of the Made In China bunch?