Compare performance (639 HP vs 354 HP), boot space and price (41,600 £ vs 40,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi A5 Avant or Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake?
All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.
When it comes to compact luxury wagons, the Audi A5 Avant and the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake are two strong contenders, each offering a blend of performance, style, and practicality. In this comparison, we’ll break down the technical aspects and innovations behind these two impressive vehicles to help potential buyers make an informed choice.
Both the Audi A5 Avant and the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake feature sleek, aerodynamic designs that turn heads. The A5 Avant, with its sharp lines and a prominent front grille, exudes a sporty elegance. The CLA Shooting Brake, on the other hand, highlights a more coupe-like silhouette paired with a distinctive rear end, emphasizing its sporty character. Interior quality is a forte for both brands, with high-end materials and attention to detail evident throughout, but Audi leans towards a more minimalist layout, while Mercedes opts for a more tech-forward approach.
The Audi A5 Avant comes with a variety of engine options, including efficient diesel MHEVs and powerful petrol variants. Customers can choose from outputs ranging from 150 HP to a potent 367 HP. The top-tier model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, showcasing its performance prowess. In contrast, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers a wider array of engine configurations, including petrol MHEVs, diesels, and even a plugin hybrid version. Power outputs range from 150 HP up to an impressive 421 HP in the AMG variant, with the fastest reaching 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds.
Both vehicles come equipped with advanced dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The A5 Avant offers a choice between all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, while the CLA Shooting Brake mainly features front-wheel drive but includes all-wheel drive for higher-powered models. This versatility in options may appeal to different driving preferences, with the A5 leaning towards a more dynamic driving experience thanks to quattro all-wheel drive capability.
When it comes to fuel consumption, the Audi A5 Avant achieves commendable figures, with values as low as 4.8 L/100 km in certain configurations. The CLA Shooting Brake also offers competitive efficiency ratings, especially for the hybrid variants, with consumption figures starting from just 0.8 L/100 km in electric mode, demonstrating Mercedes' commitment to sustainability without sacrificing performance.
Inside, the Audi A5 Avant prides itself on its driving-focused ergonomics and advanced infotainment systems, featuring the latest MMI technology with a high-resolution display. The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake, with its sleek dashboard and bright ambient lighting, emphasizes driver engagement through its MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system, which includes voice control and augmented reality navigation. Both interiors provide comfort and high-quality materials, tailored to the needs of the modern driver.
In terms of practicality, the A5 Avant provides a trunk capacity of 448 to 476 liters, making it suitable for everyday use and long trips. The CLA Shooting Brake, however, shines with a slightly larger trunk offering up to 505 liters, making it more versatile for those who require ample cargo space. Both models offer rear folding seats for additional room, accommodating larger items as needed.
Ultimately, the choice between the Audi A5 Avant and the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake boils down to personal preferences regarding design, performance, technology, and practicality. The A5 Avant appeals to those who prioritize sporty performance and refined luxury, while the CLA Shooting Brake captures buyers looking for innovative technology and a distinctive design. Whichever vehicle you choose, both models exemplify the outstanding engineering and luxury associated with their respective brands.
Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is very slightly cheaper – starting at 40,800 £ , while the Audi A5 Avant costs 41,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 804 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Audi A5 Avant uses 2.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake with 5 L/100km. The difference is about 2.9 L/100km.
As for electric range, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers substantially more range – reaching up to 768 km, about 660 km more than the Audi A5 Avant.
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 Audi A5 Avant offers substantially more power – delivering 639 HP compared to 354 HP. That’s roughly 285 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi A5 Avant is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.7 s, while the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake takes 5 s. That’s about 1.3 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the Audi A5 Avant delivers visibly more torque with 825 Nm compared to 515 Nm. That’s about 310 Nm more.
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, Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is very slightly lighter – 1,710 kg compared to 1,785 kg. The difference is around 75 kg.
Looking at boot space, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake offers clearly more boot space – 455 L compared to 361 L. That’s a difference of about 94 L.
When it comes to payload, the Audi A5 Avant carries somewhat more – 535 kg compared to 460 kg. That’s a difference of about 75 kg.
The Audi A5 Avant holds a decisive overall lead 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.
The Audi A5 Avant dresses like a sleek coupe but carries like a sensible estate, offering buyers a rare blend of glamour and everyday practicality. Inside, the cabin feels beautifully sorted and the drive is composed and engaging, making routine errands feel a touch more enjoyable than they have any right to be.
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The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake turns estate practicality into runway-ready style with a swooping roofline and coupe-like silhouette that makes even mundane errands feel a little more glamorous. Inside it pairs clever packaging with premium flair, so you get useful load space and a grown-up cabin — ideal if you want a car that looks like a showroom trophy but still handles the weekly shop without sulking.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
41,600 - 92,400 £
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Price
40,800 - 60,900 £
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Consumption L/100km
2.1 - 7.7 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
5 - 5.4 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Consumption kWh/100km
12.7 - 13.3 kWh/100km
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Electric Range
83 - 108 km
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Electric Range
525 - 768 km
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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co2
47 - 175 g/km
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co2
0 - 123 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Dimensions and Body |
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|---|---|
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Body Type
Estate
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Body Type
Estate
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Seats
5
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Seats
5
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Doors
-
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Doors
-
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Curb weight
1,785 - 2,445 kg
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Curb weight
1,710 - 2,155 kg
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Trunk capacity
361 L
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Trunk capacity
455 L
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Length
-
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Length
-
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Width
1,860 - 1,952 mm
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Width
1,855 mm
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Height
-
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Height
-
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Payload
480 - 535 kg
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Payload
430 - 460 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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|---|---|
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Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Petrol MHEV
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Engine Type
Electric, Full Hybrid
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Automatic Gearbox
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Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
150 - 639 HP
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Power HP
156 - 354 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.7 - 9.8 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
5 - 8.9 s
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Max Speed
-
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Max Speed
-
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Torque
280 - 825 Nm
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Torque
280 - 515 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
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Number of Cylinders
4
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Power kW
110 - 470 kW
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Power kW
115 - 260 kW
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Engine capacity
1,968 - 2,995 cm3
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Engine capacity
1,499 cm3
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General |
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|---|---|
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Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
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Model Year
2026
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CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, D
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CO2 Efficiency Class
A, C, D
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Brand
Audi
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Brand
Mercedes-Benz
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
Česko
España