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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes E-Class comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 585 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 50,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes E-Class?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes E-Class: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • noticeably more efficient
  • slightly more electric range
  • very slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly lighter
details

Mercedes E-Class

4.7 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably more power
  • noticeably 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:

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 significantly cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes E-Class costs 50,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 23,490 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is noticeably more efficient than the Mercedes E-Class with 1.5 L/100km. The difference is about 0.4 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Audi A3 Sportback offers slightly more range – reaching up to 141 km, about 25 km more than the Mercedes E-Class.

E-Class

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 E-Class offers noticeably more power – delivering 585 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 185 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is very slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mercedes E-Class takes 4 s. That’s about 0.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes E-Class delivers visibly more torque with 750 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 250 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 1,810 kg. The difference is around 450 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes E-Class offers noticeably more boot space – 540 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 160 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes E-Class carries clearly more – 640 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 160 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback leads convincingly 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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A202258_overfull
A202235_overfull
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A201906_overfull
A202227_overfull

Reviews Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E‑Class is the executive saloon that balances calm refinement with a hint of sporting intent, wrapping luxury in tasteful understatement. It pampers occupants with a composed ride and intuitive tech while quietly reminding you that it’s still very much a Mercedes — authoritative, polished, and unwilling to shout for attention.

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19C0741_016
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Reviews Mercedes E-Class

4.7 (2 Reviews)
rate
Carlos
11 Apr 2026, 20:47:10

Comfortable car, beautiful lines, powerful and economical to run.

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

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Audi A3 Sportback
Mercedes E-Class

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
50,500 - 119,700 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.5 - 7.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
101 - 116 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
39 - 172 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
1,810 - 2,390 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
370 - 540 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,880 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
530 - 640 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, 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 - 585 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 8.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
320 - 750 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
137 - 430 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,993 - 2,999 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, B, 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.