Audi A3 Sedan vs Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA
Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan is the calmer buy; the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA turns this into a performance contest with 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time against 187 hp, 320 Nm, front-wheel drive and 7.3 seconds. The Audi counters with a 6.2 L/100 km claim, a 240 km/h top speed and a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer, the nearly RM189k extra mainly buys pace, AWD, a bigger body and one more airbag; road tax barely moves.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if the five-year warranty and 6.2 L/100 km claim matter more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA’s 421 hp.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h and all-wheel drive are worth paying the big premium over a 7.3-second front-driver.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888
- Power and torque: Audi 187 hp/320 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 421 hp/500 Nm
- Driven wheels and 0-100 km/h: Audi FWD/7.3 s; Mercedes-Benz AWD/4.1 s
- Size: Audi 4,495 mm long/2,636 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz 4,701 mm long/2,729 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Audi 425 litres; Mercedes-Benz 460 litres
- Warranty and airbags: Audi 5 years/6 airbags; Mercedes-Benz 2 years/7 airbags
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 338,990✓ | RM 527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,984 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Power | 187 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.3 s | 4.1 s✓ |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 6.2 L/100km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Boot space | 425 L | 460 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 51 L | 51 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 376 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
A3 Sedan
- Costs RM188,898 less
- Five-year warranty
- 6.2 L/100 km fuel economy claim
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail far behind
- Front-wheel drive only
- Smaller 425-litre boot
AMG CLA
- 421 hp and 500 Nm
- All-wheel drive
- Bigger 460-litre boot
- Costs RM188,898 more
- Two-year warranty trails Audi’s five
- Very wide at 1,999 mm versus 1,816 mm
A3 Sedan vs AMG CLA FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is better for performance, with 421 hp, AWD and 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The Audi A3 Sedan is the more rational buy, with a five-year warranty and 6.2 L/100 km fuel economy claim.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan is RM338,990 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is RM527,888, so the Mercedes-Benz costs RM188,898 more.
Which is faster, the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is much faster: 0-100 km/h takes 4.1 seconds, compared with 7.3 seconds for the Audi A3 Sedan.