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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes CLA Coupe – Which car suits you better?

Two cars, one duel: Audi A3 Sportback meets Mercedes CLA Coupe.
Which one wins in performance, efficiency and value for money? Find out now!

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

A3 Sportback @ Audi AG

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Audi A3 Sportback has a distinct advantage in terms of price – it starts at 26800 £, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe costs 37100 £. That’s a price difference of around 10274 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Audi A3 Sportback manages with 1.10 L and is therefore clearly more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Coupe with 2.30 L. The difference is about 1.20 L per 100 km.

As for range, the Mercedes CLA Coupe performs convincingly better – achieving up to 791 km, about 650 km more than the Audi A3 Sportback.

CLA Coupe @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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 Mercedes CLA Coupe has a slight edge – offering 421 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 21 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is hardly perceptible quicker – completing the sprint in 3.80 s, while the Mercedes CLA Coupe takes 4.10 s. That’s about 0.30 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes CLA Coupe performs minimal better – reaching 270 km/h, while the Audi A3 Sportback tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes CLA Coupe pulls barely noticeable stronger with 515 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 15 Nm difference.

A3 Sportback @ Audi AG

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 curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is somewhat lighter – 1360 kg compared to 1505 kg. The difference is around 145 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Mercedes CLA Coupe offers to a small extent more room – 460 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 80 L.

When it comes to payload, Mercedes CLA Coupe barely noticeable takes the win – 490 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 10 kg.

Who wins the race?

The Audi A3 Sportback proves to be has a very small edge and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Audi A3 Sportback is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £26,800
A3 Sportback @ Audi AG

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
  • Electric Range : 134 - 141 km
details

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.

details
A202267_overfull @ Audi AG
A202258_overfull @ Audi AG
A202235_overfull @ Audi AG
A202271_overfull @ Audi AG
A201906_overfull @ Audi AG
A202227_overfull @ Audi AG

Mercedes CLA Coupe

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupé exudes sophistication with its sleek, aerodynamic design that effortlessly combines elegance and sportiness. Inside, the cabin offers a luxurious experience, featuring high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology that ensure both comfort and connectivity for the driver and passengers. On the road, the CLA Coupé delivers a dynamic driving performance, characterised by responsive handling and a smooth ride, making it a joy to drive both in the city and on long journeys.

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19C0225_069 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
19C0225_068 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
19C0225_067 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
19C0225_044 @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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Costs and Consumption
Price
26800 - 56600 £
Price
37100 - 73700 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L
Consumption L/100km
2.3 - 8.9 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
12.2 - 12.6 kWh
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
86 - 791 km
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
12.9 - 85 kWh
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
0 - 202 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
4
Curb weight
1360 - 1685 kg
Curb weight
1505 - 2135 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
395 - 460 L
Length
4352 - 4381 mm
Length
4692 - 4723 mm
Width
1816 - 1851 mm
Width
1834 - 1857 mm
Height
1415 - 1470 mm
Height
1404 - 1468 mm
Max trunk capacity
1100 - 1200 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
440 - 490 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol, Electric
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.1 - 10 s
Max Speed
205 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
205 - 270 km/h
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
230 - 515 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
1498 - 2480 cm3
Engine capacity
1332 - 1991 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, D, E, G, A
Brand
Audi
Brand
Mercedes-Benz

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What drive types are available for the Audi A3 Sportback?

The Audi A3 Sportback is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.