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Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes V Class comparison

Compare performance (400 HP vs 237 HP), boot space and price (27,000 £ vs 48,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A3 Sportback or Mercedes V Class?

Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes V Class: Key differences

Audi A3 Sportback

4.1 (2 Reviews)
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  • considerably cheaper
  • considerably more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially lighter
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Mercedes V Class

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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

A3 Sportback

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Audi A3 Sportback is considerably cheaper – starting at 27,000 £ , while the Mercedes V Class costs 48,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 21,164 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A3 Sportback uses 1.1 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Mercedes V Class with 7.1 L/100km. The difference is about 6 L/100km.

V Class

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 considerably more power – delivering 400 HP compared to 237 HP. That’s roughly 163 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A3 Sportback is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.8 s, while the Mercedes V Class takes 7.4 s. That’s about 3.6 s quicker.

Both models offer the same torque – 500 Nm.

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.

Seats: Mercedes V Class offers more seats – 6 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, Audi A3 Sportback is substantially lighter – 1,345 kg compared to 2,192 kg. The difference is around 847 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes V Class carries clearly more – 908 kg compared to 485 kg. That’s a difference of about 423 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Audi A3 Sportback is far ahead 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
Audi A3 Sportback
Mercedes V Class

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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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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Mercedes V Class

The V‑Class is the grown-up people mover that blends executive-level comfort with van practicality, ideal for those who want to ferry family and gear without sacrificing luxury. Inside it's plush and flexible, with clever touches that turn long hauls into a comfortable commute and still manage to look serious on the school run.

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Audi A3 Sportback
Mercedes V Class

Costs and Consumption

Price
27,000 - 92,900 £
Price
48,200 - 83,300 £
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 9.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
7.1 - 10.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
134 - 141 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
25 - 211 g/km
co2
187 - 232 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Bus
Seats
5
Seats
6
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,345 - 1,685 kg
Curb weight
2,192 - 2,464 kg
Trunk capacity
280 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 - 1,851 mm
Width
1,928 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 - 485 kg
Payload
636 - 908 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol
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
163 - 237 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.8 - 10.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.4 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
220 - 500 Nm
Torque
370 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 294 kW
Power kW
120 - 174 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,950 - 1,999 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Audi
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
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.