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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes CLA Coupe comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 354 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 39,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes CLA Coupe?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes CLA Coupe: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • moderately more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly lighter

Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more electric range
  • only slightly more trunk space

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:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Audi A3 Sportback is substantially cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes CLA Coupe costs 39,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,636 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Coupe with 4.9 L/100km. The difference is about 3.8 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers substantially more range – reaching up to 791 km, about 650 km more than the Audi A3 Sportback.

CLA Coupe

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi A3 Sportback offers moderately more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 354 HP. That’s roughly 46 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe takes 4.9 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Audi A3 Sportback is moderately faster – reaching 237 km/h, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe tops out at 210 km/h. The difference is around 27 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes CLA Coupe delivers very slightly more torque with 515 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 15 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 clearly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 1,695 kg. The difference is around 335 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers only slightly more boot space – 405 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 25 L.

When it comes to payload, the Audi A3 Sportback carries very slightly more – 480 kg compared to 455 kg. That’s a difference of about 25 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback is clearly superior overall 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
details

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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

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

Mercedes CLA Coupe

The Mercedes CLA Coupe cuts a rakish silhouette that blends sporty coupe lines with everyday practicality, giving style-minded buyers a premium image without shouting. Inside it feels more luxurious than its size suggests, with a slick cabin, intuitive tech and a composed ride — the kind of car that parties in the city and still shows up polished on Sunday morning.

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Reviews Mercedes CLA Coupe

4.8 (2 Reviews)
rate
marco
12 Mar 2026, 18:44:45

A car with a unique line — the shooting brake finally gets a sporty rear and a roomy trunk.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Dejf
18 Dec 2025, 14:59:40

Nice efficient car. Like it

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

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Mercedes CLA Coupe

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 56,600 £
Price
39,600 - 59,300 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.9 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
12.2 - 12.6 kWh/100km
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
541 - 791 km
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
Battery Capacity
58 kWh
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
0 - 120 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
4
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
1,695 - 2,135 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
405 L
Length
4,352 - 4,353 mm
Length
4,723 mm
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,855 mm
Height
1,441 - 1,470 mm
Height
1,468 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,100 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
430 - 455 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 8.8 s
Max Speed
225 - 237 km/h
Max Speed
210 km/h
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, 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.