2027 Audi A3 vs 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Too close to call: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 100 vs Audi A3 98.5 with these weights.
2027 Audi A3
The 2027 Audi A3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan. The most efficient version, the A3 quattro, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall …
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact sedan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the C300, is EPA-rated…
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Toss-upToo close to call: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 100 vs Audi A3 98.5 with these weights.
| Category · weight | 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Classoverall 100 | 2027 Audi A3overall 98.5 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 96.6 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 100 | 98.5 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 2 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Audi A3: base trim A3 quattro AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class wins
- It costs $100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,850 against $2,950).
- It is rated 29 combined against 28 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
37 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $40,700 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine displacement | — | 1,984 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 236 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 24 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 28 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 33 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.167 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 7 |
| Transmission type | — | S-tronic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | — | 56.2 in |
| Overall length | — | 177 in |
| Overall width | — | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 104 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 8.3 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 36.8 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.2 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 35.2 in |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Mcpherson strut front axle |
| Rear suspension type | — | Four-link rear suspension |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 36.5 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 306 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Electro-mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 272 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 17 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 225/45 R17 91H all-season |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 14.5 gal |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 54.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
33 features · differences first, then sharedSafety5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Lock Braking System Standard, All Four Wheels, with Electronic Brake Force Distribution | — | std |
| Front Brakes | — | std |
| Parking Brake: Electro-mechanical | — | std |
| Rear Brakes | — | std |
| Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | — | std |
Infotainment2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| Starting MSRP (USD) | — | std |
Exterior6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Coefficient (Cd.) | — | std |
| Tires (Optional) | — | opt |
| Tires (Standard) | — | std |
| Wheels (Optional) - first option | — | opt |
| Wheels (Optional) - second option | — | opt |
| Wheels (Standard) | — | std |
Powertrain15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| quattro® all-wheel drive | — | std |
| 0-60 mph (secs.) | — | std |
| Compression Ratio :1 | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (City) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Combined) | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG (Highway) | — | std |
| Fuel Capacity (gal.): 14.5 | — | std |
| Peak Power (HP) | — | std |
| Peak Torque (lb.-ft) | — | std |
| Powertrain Limited Warranty: 4 year / 50,000 mi whichever occurs first | — | std |
| Recommended Fuel: Premium | — | std |
| Top Track Speed (mph) | — | std |
| Transmission: 7-speed S-tronic® transmission | — | std |
| Type: 2.0L TFSI 4 cyl / 2.5L TFSI 5 cyl | — | std |
| Valvetrain: 16-valve DOHC with Audi valvelift and variable timing | — | std |
Chassis5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Body Construction: Unitary steel | — | std |
| Front Suspension: Mcpherson strut front axle | — | std |
| Rear Suspension: Four-link rear suspension | — | std |
| Steering Type: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance | — | std |
| Turning Circle (ft. Curb-to-Curb) | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMercedes-Benz C-Class
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Audi A3
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi A3A3 quattro AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $40,700 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — | $40,700 – $67,500 3 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | C300 | A3 quattro |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 28 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $2,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the 2027 Audi A3?
Too close to call: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 100 vs Audi A3 98.5 with these weights. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class scores 100 and the 2027 Audi A3 98.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the 2027 Audi A3?
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Audi A3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the 2027 Audi A3?
Where the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class wins: it costs $100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,850 against $2,950) and is rated 29 combined against 28 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.