Verdict
These cars serve markedly different jobs despite a RM28,898 gap: the RM338,990 Audi is 454 mm shorter, 290 kg lighter and reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, so it is the less cumbersome urban sedan. The RM367,888 E-Class brings executive-car proportions, a 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540-litre boot against 2,636 mm and 425 litres. It also gets a 23 hp/205 Nm motor, adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera. Choose the E-Class for rear-seat and luggage needs; the A3 Sedan is the quicker choice, with a five-year warranty rather than four.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the 7.3-second sprint, more compact 4,495 mm body and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you need its 540-litre boot, 2,961 mm wheelbase and more extensive driver-assistance kit.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Acceleration: Audi A3 Sedan 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class in 7.5 seconds.
- Dimensions: Audi A3 Sedan is 4,495 mm long with a 2,636 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 4,949 mm long with a 2,961 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Audi A3 Sedan 425 litres; Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres.
- Powertrain: Audi A3 Sedan has a 187 hp, 320 Nm 1,984 cc petrol engine; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a 201 hp, 320 Nm 1,999 cc petrol hybrid/REV engine plus one 23…
- Warranty: Audi A3 Sedan gets five years with unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets four years with unlimited mileage.
A3 Sedan
- Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 454 mm shorter and 290 kg lighter.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 425-litre boot trails the E-Class' 540 litres.
- No blind spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
- No 360-degree camera or auto parking.
E-Class
- 540-litre boot and 2,961 mm wheelbase.
- Autonomous braking, steering-correction lane keeping and adaptive cruise control.
- 14.4-inch MBUX display, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.5 seconds versus the A3 Sedan's 7.3 seconds.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter than the Audi's.
- 1,825 kg kerb weight is 290 kg higher than the Audi's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM367,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM380 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
Used A3 Sedan & E-Class for sale
A3 Sedan vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The E-Class is better for space, luggage capacity and driver assistance, with a 540-litre boot, 2,961 mm wheelbase and autonomous braking. The A3 Sedan is better if compact dimensions, a quicker 7.3-second sprint and a five-year warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM28,898 more than the Audi A3 Sedan.
Which is easier to manage in Malaysian city driving?
The Audi A3 Sedan is physically easier to place: it is 4,495 mm long and 1,816 mm wide, versus 4,949 mm and 1,880 mm for the E-Class. The Mercedes counters with a 360-degree camera and auto parking.