2027 Audi RS e-tron vs 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Audi RS e-tron wins clearly, 100 to 71.1, on fuel & range.
2027 Audi RS e-tron
The 2027 Audi RS e-tron is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact sedan. Its longest-range version, the RS e-tron GT Performance, is EPA-rated at 278 miles wit…
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 Audi RS e-tron
Clear winThe Audi RS e-tron wins clearly, 100 to 71.1, on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Classoverall 71.1 | 2027 Audi RS e-tronoverall 100 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 32.6 | 100 | |||||||||
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 | 71.1 | 100 | |||||||||
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 RS e-tron: base trim RS e-tron GT performance 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 Audi RS e-tron wins
- It costs $1,950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($900 against $2,850).
- It is rated 84 combined against 29 (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
33 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $170,500 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Engine type (full description) | — | Two permanent-magnet synchronous (PSM) electric motors |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 912 hp |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 85 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 84 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 82 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission speeds | — | 2 |
| Transmission type | — | Two-speed |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | — | 54.9 in |
| Overall length | — | 197 in |
| Overall width | — | 77.3 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 114 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 9.2 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 38.2 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.5 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.9 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 32.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 5,137 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | Double-wishbone with 2-chamber air springs |
| Rear suspension type | — | Double-wishbone with 2-chamber air springs |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Electromechanical with speed-dependent power assistance |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 38.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 410 mm |
| Front brake type | — | 6-piston calipers, ventilated rotors |
| Parking brake type | — | Electromechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 365 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | 4-piston calipers, ventilated rotors |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 21 in |
| Wheel material | — | Aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 245/45 R20 - 285/40 R20 Summer |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 56.4 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53.8 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
59 features · differences first, then sharedSafety6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Lock Braking System All Four Wheels with Electronic Brake Force Distribution | — | std |
| Brake Construction: Diagonal Dual-Circuit Brake System with ESC/ABS/EBV Brake Booster, Hydraulic Brake Assist | — | std |
| Front Brakes: 6-piston calipers with 410mm (16.1") ventilated rotors | — | std |
| Parking Brake: Electromechanical | — | std |
| Rear Brakes: 4-piston calipers with 365mm (14.4") ventilated rotors | — | std |
| Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | — | std |
Convenience5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Destination (USD): $1,395 | — | std |
| Hybrid / Drive Battery Warranty: 8 Years / 100,000 Miles (whichever occurs first), 70% retention of battery capacity | — | std |
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 Miles (whichever occurs first) | — | std |
| Powertrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 Miles (whichever occurs first) | — | std |
| Starting MSRP (USD): $170,500 | — | std |
Seating1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seating: 5-Passenger | — | std |
Interior6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Headroom, Front (in.): 38.2 | — | std |
| Headroom, Rear (in.): 36.5 | — | std |
| Legroom, Front (in.): 41.9 | — | std |
| Legroom, Rear (in.): 32.2 | — | std |
| Shoulder Room, Front (in.): 56.4 | — | std |
| Shoulder Room, Rear (in.): 53.8 | — | std |
Exterior12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight (lb.): 5,137 | — | std |
| Drag Coefficient (Cd): 0.26 Cd | — | std |
| EPA Class: 4-Door Coupe | — | std |
| Height (in.): 54.9 | — | std |
| Length (in.): 196.7 | — | std |
| Overall Width with Mirrors (in.): 84.9 | — | std |
| Overall Width without Mirrors (in.): 77.3 | — | std |
| Tires (Optional F-R): 265/35 R21 - 305/30 R21 Summer | — | opt |
| Tires (Standard F-R): 245/45 R20 - 285/40 R20 Summer | — | std |
| Wheelbase (in.): 114.2 | — | std |
| Wheels (Optional): 21" 6-double-spoke RS design, milled cut, dark finish | — | opt |
| Wheels (Standard): 21" 6-double-spoke RS design, milled cut, bi-color finish | — | std |
Powertrain22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Driven Wheels All-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| 0-100 km/h (sec.) Est. (w/launch control): 2.7 sec | — | std |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) Est. (w/launch control): 2.4 sec | — | std |
| Battery Pack Construction: 396 Pouch Cells / 33 modules, Aluminum Battery Case Reinforced with Extruded Aluminum Cross-Sections | — | std |
| Battery Size (Gross): 105 kWh | — | std |
| Battery Size (Net): 97 kWh | — | std |
| Battery Type: 800V Lithium Ion | — | std |
| Charge Port (Driver side): AC/DC Combo Port J1772 / CCS | — | std |
| DC Fast Charging (320 kW): 18 minutes (10% - 80% charge) | — | std |
| Drivetrain Configuration: Single Front / Single Rear Motor | — | std |
| Electric Motor Type: Two permanent-magnet synchronous (PSM) electric motors | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG/MPGe (City): 85 | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG/MPGe (Combined): 84 | — | std |
| EPA Estimated MPG/MPGe (Highway): 82 | — | std |
| EPA Estimated Range (mi.) w/20" wheel: 278 | — | std |
| EPA Rating: ZEV | — | std |
| Level 2 Charging (9.6 kW - 240V @ 40A): 12 hours | — | std |
| Max Charging Capacity AC / DC: up to 9.6 kW / 320 kW | — | std |
| Peak Horsepower (w/launch control, or boost mode): 912 hp | — | std |
| Top Speed (km/h): 250 km/h | — | std |
| Top Track Speed: 155 mph | — | std |
| Transmission: Two-speed | — | std |
Chassis6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Body Construction: Mixed steel/aluminum construction | — | std |
| Front Suspension: Double-wishbone with 2-chamber air springs | — | std |
| Rear Suspension: Double-wishbone with 2-chamber air springs | — | std |
| Steering Ratio: 14.3:1 | — | std |
| Steering Type: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance | — | std |
| Turning Circle (ft. Curb-to-Curb): 38.1 ft. | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume Trunk (cu. ft.) / Frunk (cu. ft.): 9.2 / 1.8 | — | 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 RS e-tron
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Audi RS e-tronRS e-tron GT performance AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $170,500 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — | $170,500 1 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | C300 | RS e-tron GT Performance |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 84 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $900 |
| EV range | — | 278 mi |
| 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 RS e-tron?
The Audi RS e-tron wins clearly, 100 to 71.1, on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Audi RS e-tron scores 100 and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 71.1. 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 RS e-tron?
2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Audi RS e-tron: 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 RS e-tron?
Where the 2027 Audi RS e-tron wins: it costs $1,950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($900 against $2,850) and is rated 84 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.