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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes GLE comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 634 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 136,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes GLE?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes GLE: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

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

4.1 (1 Reviews)
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  • visibly more power
  • substantially 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:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Audi A3 Sportback is substantially cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes GLE costs 136,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 109,486 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mercedes GLE with 3.8 L/100km. The difference is about 2.7 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Audi A3 Sportback offers noticeably more range – reaching up to 141 km, about 49 km more than the Mercedes GLE.

GLE

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 Mercedes GLE offers visibly more power – delivering 634 HP compared to 400 HP. That’s roughly 234 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 GLE takes 3.9 s. That’s about 0.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLE delivers considerably more torque with 850 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 350 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 significantly lighter – 1,360 kg compared to 2,375 kg. The difference is around 1,015 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes GLE offers substantially more boot space – 655 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 275 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLE carries noticeably more – 675 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 195 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

Frequently compared as well

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Audi A3 Sportback
Mercedes GLE

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
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Reviews Audi A3 Sportback

3.9 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

Mercedes GLE

The Mercedes GLE blends luxurious comfort with a confident road presence, wrapping tech and refinement in an SUV shape that still knows how to behave on a twisty back road. Inside it's plush and quiet, with clever storage and driver aids that make long trips effortless — plus the badge gives it that easy-to-respect curb appeal.

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Reviews Mercedes GLE

4.1 (1 Reviews)
rate
Victor
10 Apr 2026, 07:46:13

I just love Benz cars

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
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 GLE

Costs and Consumption
Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
136,500 - 175,800 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
3.8 - 12.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
89 - 92 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
86 - 284 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,360 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
2,375 - 2,800 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
490 - 655 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,947 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 480 kg
Payload
470 - 675 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol 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
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 400 HP
Power HP
457 - 634 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.9 - 5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
520 - 850 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
336 - 466 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
2,999 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B
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.