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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes C-Class Saloon comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 680 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 41,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes C-Class Saloon?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes C-Class Saloon: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • clearly more efficient
  • considerably more electric range
  • visibly lighter
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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

  • substantially more power
  • moderately quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Audi A3 Sportback is clearly cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes C-Class Saloon costs 41,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 14,325 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Mercedes C-Class Saloon with 4.5 L/100km. The difference is about 3.4 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Audi A3 Sportback offers considerably more range – reaching up to 141 km, about 130 km more than the Mercedes C-Class Saloon.

C-Class Saloon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon offers substantially more power – delivering 680 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 280 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon is moderately quicker – completing the sprint in 3.4 s, while the Audi A3 Sportback takes 3.8 s. That’s about 0.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes C-Class Saloon delivers clearly more torque with 1,020 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 520 Nm more.

A3 Sportback

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is visibly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 335 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon offers a bit more boot space – 455 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 75 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes C-Class Saloon carries somewhat more – 570 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 90 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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Frequently compared as well

Audi A3 Sportback
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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

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

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate

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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

The Mercedes C‑Class is the compact executive that dresses like it owns the boulevard, with an interior that blends modern elegance and plush comfort to make everyday driving feel unexpectedly special. On the road it pairs poise with a hint of cheeky agility, rewarding drivers who want refinement without forfeiting a touch of fun — and yes, it still looks great in the driveway.

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Reviews Mercedes C-Class Saloon

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

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Mercedes C-Class Saloon

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
41,300 - 103,400 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
11 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
119 - 205 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,165 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
280 - 455 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,820 - 1,900 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
485 - 570 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
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
183 - 680 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.4 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
250 - 1,020 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
135 - 500 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, D, G
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.