A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
iCAUR 03T vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: the short answer
03T and A-Class are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
03T starts ZAR 165,700 cheaper03T from ZAR 639,900 · A-Class from ZAR 805,600
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
03T
A-Class
Maximum Power
03T135 kW
A-Class110 kW
Maximum Torque
03T220 Nm
A-Class320 Nm
Engine Size
03TNot Applicable
A-Class1950 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
03TNot applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
A-Class20.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
03T190 mm
A-Class140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
iCAUR 03T
2WD
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
03T
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
A-Class
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
03T
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
A-Class
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
03T
A-Class
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
South African May 2026 local specification sheet for the current 03T generation.
Current South African A-Class generation represented by derivative A 200 d Sedan
Body Style
SUV
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Published
Current South African retail range
Segment
Electric SUV
Premium sedan
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Sedan
Facelift History
-
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since
-
Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending
-
Current
Spec
03T
A-Class
Length
4433 mm
4419 mm
Width
1916 mm
1796 mm
Height
1741 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2715 mm
2900 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
165 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
43 l
Boot/Cargo Space
450 L rear seats up; 1,238 L with rear seats folded; 40 L rear storage box
355 l
Kerb Weight
1600–1950 kg
1450 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2173 kg
2000 kg
Payload Capacity
350–650 kg
600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.9 m
5.5 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
960 mm
Rear Headroom
990 mm
960 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
900 mm
Rear Legroom
970 mm
900 mm
Towing Capacity
-
2000 kg
Spec
03T
A-Class
Engine
Battery electric drive; no combustion engine
1950/L4
Engine Code
Not Applicable
OM654
Fuel Type
Electric
Diesel Mild Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
48V Mild Hybrid
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1950 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Common-rail direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
15.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
92.3 mm
Maximum Power
135 kW
110 kW
Maximum Torque
220 Nm
320 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
110 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
320 Nm
Motor Type
Electric traction motor
48 V integrated starter-generator
Number of Motors
1
1
Motor Location
Rear axle
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Drive Type
RWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed DCT
Top Speed
150 km/h
227 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.5 sec
8.2 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
15.0 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
65.69 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
64.2 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
LFP
0
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
431 km
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Spec
03T
A-Class
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
FWD
Transfer Case
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not applicable — no conventional stepped gearbox
Yes
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed DCT
Clutch Type
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Electric shift gear
Automatic with manual shift mode
Drivetrain
2WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
No
4WD Hi Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
0
4WD Lo Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
0
4WD Selector
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
No
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not applicable — no conventional stepped gearbox
Yes
Gearbox Type
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
0
Low Range
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
0
Axle Layout
Electric drive axle(s); configuration depends on derivative
Driven axle configuration: FWD
Transmission Speeds
1
8
LSD Available
-
No
Differential Lock
-
No
Final Drive Ratio
-
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Front Differential Lock
-
No
Rear Differential Lock
-
No
Spec
03T
A-Class
Claimed Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
20.0 km/l
City Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
20.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
20.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
66 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions (BEV)
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
23 l
Auto Start Stop
Not applicable — no combustion engine
Yes
Real-world Mileage
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
20.0 km/l
Charging Type
AC and DC charging; V2L external discharge 3.3 kW
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
66
Combined Driving Range
431 km
0
Electric Consumption
18.3 kWh/100 km
0
Range Real World Highway
292 km
0 km
Range Real World Mixed
344 km
0 km
Charging Port Type
-
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
A-Class
Airbags
Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
7
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Direct tyre pressure monitoring
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Engine Immobiliser
Body anti-theft alarm and anti-theft horn
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Front Parking Sensors
Front parking sensors
Front and rear
AEB
Automatic emergency braking
Ventilated disc brakes
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front pretensioner seat belts
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
-
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
-
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Knee Airbag
-
Yes
Spec
03T
A-Class
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Lane keeping assistance
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Lane keeping assistance
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Blind-spot detection
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear parking sensors
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Reverse camera
Yes
360 Degree Camera
540° HD panoramic image
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Auto Highbeam
Automatic highbeam control
Yes
Auto Wipers
Auto speed-sensing front wiper
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear parking sensors
Front and rear
Reverse Camera
Reverse camera
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
540° HD panoramic image
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Blind-spot detection
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Yes
Park Assist
-
Yes
Spec
03T
A-Class
Seat Material
Leather seats
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Heated Seats
Not fitted to 2WD local sheet
Front heated seats
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Model/option dependent
Ambient Lighting
Multi-colour ambient light
64-colour ambient lighting
Steering Wheel Material
Leather steering wheel
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat
Foldable second-row seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way power adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Seat Trim
Leather
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Spec
03T
A-Class
Climate Control
Power air conditioner
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
Yes
Keyless Entry
Remote central locking; passive keyless access equipment-dependent
KEYLESS-GO
Push Button Start
Electronic engine start/stop or EV power-on control
Yes
Wireless Charging
50 W wireless phone charging
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Powered tailgate optional on applicable hatch/SUV bodies
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Automatic rain-sensing wipers optional or equipment-dependent
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
AC Type
Power air conditioner
Automatic climate control
Spec
03T
A-Class
Infotainment System
15.6 in touchscreen infotainment
MBUX multimedia system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
8
13
Digital Instrument Cluster
9.2 in LCD cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
1 USB Type-C plus 3 USB ports
USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
15.6 in
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen
15.6 in
MBUX multimedia system
Spec
03T
A-Class
LED Headlamps
Yes
LED High Performance headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED daytime running lights
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Roof Rails
Body style and optional package dependent; not confirmed for this exact derivative
No
Exterior Colour Options
Carbon Crystal Black; Toronto Red; Starlight Silver; Cyan Grey; Khaki; White
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Headlights
Yes
LED High Performance headlamps
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Spec
03T
A-Class
Terrain Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not applicable to conventional BEV reduction drive
No
Approach Angle
-
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
-
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
-
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
-
No
Breakover Angle
-
Not Applicable
Spec
03T
A-Class
Tyre Size
245/55 R19
245/40 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Wheel Rim Size
19 in
19
Spare Wheel Type
-
19-inch alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
-
Ventilated disc brakes
Spec
03T
A-Class
Front Suspension
McPherson Strut
Independent multi-link suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Independent multi-link suspension
Spec
03T
A-Class
CO2 Emissions
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
122 g/km
Spec
03T
A-Class
Service Plan
5 years/100,000 km service plan in the official South African press material; confirm final booklet.
5 Years / 100000 km
Spec
03T
A-Class
Ownership Role
Current local retail price; confirm quotation inclusions, warranty and service plan with iCAUR South Africa.
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
639900 ZAR
956831 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
639900
1500000
Starting Price Zar
639900
1500000
Spec
03T
A-Class
Warranty
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
5 Years / 100000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This 03T and A-Class comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: 03T 51 vs A-Class 57.
Efficiency index: 03T 99 vs A-Class 79.
Safety-equipment index: 03T 93 vs A-Class 95.
Practicality index: 03T 64 vs A-Class 59.
Ownership-cover index: 03T not separately scored vs A-Class not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
03T and A-Class image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
03T leads by 3 points
03T and A-Class are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
03T
Performance
51/100
Efficiency
99/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
64/100
A-Class
Performance
57/100
Efficiency
79/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexiCAUR 03T
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 72 pts for A-Class
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 03T leads. However, A-Class may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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