Audi A3 Sedan vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan is the cheaper, smaller and slightly quicker car here: RM338,990 versus RM355,888, 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h versus 7.5, and 4,495 mm long versus 4,949 mm. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class answers with proper executive-car space, a 2,961 mm wheelbase, 540-litre boot, rear-wheel drive and a 23 hp/205 Nm electric motor on top of its 1,999 cc turbo petrol engine. For Malaysian buyers, this is less about pace and more about size, safety kit and daily parking reality.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the lower price, the quicker 0-100 km/h time, five-year warranty and a more compact sedan for city use.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want executive sedan space, a larger boot, rear-wheel drive and stronger driver-assistance kit.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM355,888
- Powertrain: Audi A3 Sedan 1,984 cc petrol; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 1,999 cc petrol hybrid with 1 electric motor
- Output: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp/320 Nm; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp/320 Nm plus 23 hp/205 Nm motor
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A3 Sedan 7.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds
- Size: Audi A3 Sedan 4,495 mm long with 2,636 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4,949 mm long with 2,961 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres
A3 Sedan
- Lower RM338,990 price and cheaper RM372 annual road tax
- Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Smaller 425-litre boot versus 540 litres
- Shorter 2,636 mm wheelbase versus 2,961 mm
- Lacks blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
E-Class
- Much larger cabin footprint with 2,961 mm wheelbase
- Bigger 540-litre boot and 66-litre fuel tank
- Gets blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Costs RM16,898 more
- Slightly slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Shorter four-year warranty versus five years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 338,990✓ | RM 355,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 320 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 380 |
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 vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better for space, boot capacity and driver-assistance kit. The Audi A3 Sedan is better if you want the lower price, quicker 0-100 km/h time and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM355,888, while the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990. That makes the E-Class RM16,898 more expensive.
Which car is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Audi A3 Sedan is quicker on paper, taking 7.3 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes 7.5 seconds, despite its higher 201 hp output and electric motor assistance.