Audi A5 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class
Verdict
These are both five-seat, all-wheel-drive hatchbacks with wet dual-clutch autos, but they play different games. The Audi A5 Sportback is the bigger, calmer brief: 4,757 mm long, 2,831 mm between the axles and 480 litres of boot space, while its 7.1 L/100 km use is lighter. The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class asks RM68,898 more, yet the numbers are brutal: 421 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. It also gets seven airbags and AEB. Pick space and running cost discipline, or pay for pace.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want the larger hatchback, lower fuel use and a 480-litre boot more than a 3.9-second sprint.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class if you want 421 hp, 500 Nm, AEB and the much quicker 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: RM440,990 for the Audi A5 Sportback versus RM509,888 for the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class.
- Power and torque: 249 hp/370 Nm versus 421 hp/500 Nm.
- Acceleration and top speed: 5.6 s/250 km/h versus 3.9 s/270 km/h.
- Fuel use and CO2: 7.1 L/100 km/163 g/km versus 8.3 L/100 km/189 g/km.
- Length, wheelbase and boot space: 4,757 mm/2,831 mm/480 L versus 4,445 mm/2,729 mm/370 L.
- Safety: 6 airbags and no AEB listed versus 7 airbags and AEB.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,990✓ | RM 509,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,984 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Power | 249 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.6 s | 3.9 s✓ |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 270 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 7.1 L/100km✓ | 8.3 L/100km |
| CO₂ | 163 g/km✓ | 189 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,412 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Boot space | 480 L✓ | 370 L |
| Fuel tank | 58 L | 51 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 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.
A5 Sportback
- 480-litre boot is usefully larger
- Lower 7.1 L/100 km fuel use
- Longer 2,831 mm wheelbase
- 249 hp and 370 Nm trail badly here
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h is much slower
- AEB is not listed
AMG A-Class
- 421 hp and 500 Nm
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h
- Seven airbags and AEB
- Costs RM68,898 more
- Higher 8.3 L/100 km fuel use
- 370-litre boot is smaller
A5 Sportback vs AMG A-Class FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class better?
For most buyers wanting space and lower fuel use, the Audi A5 Sportback is the better fit. If outright pace and safety kit matter more, the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class has the clear edge with 421 hp, AEB and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class costs RM68,898 more than the Audi A5 Sportback. Road tax barely changes the equation: RM376 a year for the Mercedes-Benz versus RM372 for the Audi.
Which one is more practical?
The Audi A5 Sportback is more practical on paper, with a 480-litre boot against the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class’s 370 litres. It is also longer and has a longer wheelbase, at 4,757 mm and 2,831 mm respectively.