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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes C Class Estate comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 288 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 42,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes C Class Estate?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes C Class Estate: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly lighter
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Mercedes C Class Estate

3.6 (1 Reviews)
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  • clearly more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Audi A3 Sportback is clearly cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes C Class Estate costs 42,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 15,600 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Mercedes C Class Estate with 4.7 L/100km. The difference is about 3.6 L/100km.

C Class Estate

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi A3 Sportback offers visibly more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 288 HP. That’s roughly 112 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mercedes C Class Estate takes 5.8 s. That’s about 2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes C Class Estate delivers only slightly more torque with 550 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 50 Nm more.

A3 Sportback

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is clearly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,755 kg. The difference is around 395 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes C Class Estate offers clearly more boot space – 490 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 110 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes C Class Estate carries a bit more – 565 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 85 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £27,000
A3 Sportback

Audi A3 Sportback

  • Engine Type Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 116 - 400 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
  • Electric Range 134 - 141 km
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Mercedes C Class Estate

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Audi A3 Sportback

The Audi A3 Sportback wraps premium materials and crisp German design into a practical hatchback package that makes daily driving feel smart rather than showy. It’s nimble in the city, composed on longer trips, and carries just enough swagger to satisfy buyers who want quality without shouting about it.

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Reviews Audi A3 Sportback

4.1 (2 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Mercedes C Class Estate

The Mercedes C-Class wagon dresses Mercedes refinement in a sensible, practical package, marrying a sleek estate silhouette with a plush, high-quality cabin that feels more premium than its badge implies. It quietly soaks up motorway miles and cartloads of family kit with composed handling and effortless comfort — a clever alternative to an SUV for buyers who still like to steer.

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Reviews Mercedes C Class Estate

3.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
Storcki
15 May 2026, 10:11:16

To me, the CLA's interior and front end are tasteless and an affront — the C estate is clearly much more attractive.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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Mercedes C Class Estate

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
42,600 - 67,200 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.7 - 6.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
123 - 157 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
1,755 - 1,940 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
490 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,820 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
460 - 565 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
186 - 288 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 8.8 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
250 - 550 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
137 - 212 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,496 - 1,999 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, D
Brand
Audi
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drive types are available for the Audi A3 Sportback?

The Audi A3 Sportback is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.