The first Mercedes-Benz A-Class was introduced in 1997.
Known internally as the W168, the original A-Class represented Mercedes-Benz’s move into the small-car market. The company presented the car to motoring journalists in late 1996, then launched it publicly at the Frankfurt Motor Show in autumn 1997. That timing explains why some references mention 1996 while the model’s widely accepted introduction year is 1997.
The W168 was unlike traditional Mercedes sedans. It used front-wheel drive, a tall body, and a short footprint designed to maximize interior space while keeping the car easy to maneuver in cities. Its “sandwich floor” layout placed major mechanical components beneath the passenger compartment, contributing to the unusually upright shape.
The A-Class also became famous after an early example failed the Swedish “moose test” in 1997. Mercedes temporarily halted deliveries and introduced electronic stability control as part of the response. Later generations followed with the W169 in 2004, W176 in 2012, and W177 in 2018.