Audi A5 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz CLE
Verdict
The Audi A5 Sportback is the more pragmatic Malaysian buy at RM440,990, undercutting the Mercedes-Benz CLE at RM518,888 by RM77,898 while being quicker to 100 km/h, 5.6 seconds plays 6.2, and having five seats plus a 480-litre boot. The CLE counters with more output at 255 hp and 400 Nm, a longer 2,865 mm wheelbase, 7 airbags, auto emergency braking and a 4-year warranty. This is not one-sided: the Audi is quicker and more usable, the Mercedes has the stronger safety and warranty card.
A5 Sportback
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want the lower price, five-seat practicality, the larger boot and the quicker 0-100 km/h time.
CLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLE if you want the coupe body, more torque, auto emergency braking and the longer 4-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Mercedes-Benz CLE RM518,888
- Seats and body: Audi A5 Sportback hatchback with 5 seats; Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe with 4 seats
- Output: Audi A5 Sportback 249 hp and 370 Nm; Mercedes-Benz CLE 255 hp and 400 Nm
- Acceleration: Audi A5 Sportback 0-100 km/h in 5.6 s; Mercedes-Benz CLE in 6.2 s
- Boot space: Audi A5 Sportback 480 L; Mercedes-Benz CLE 460 L
- Warranty: Audi A5 Sportback 2 years; Mercedes-Benz CLE 4 years
A5 Sportback
- RM77,898 lower starting price
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats and a larger 480-litre boot
- Only 2-year warranty
- Auto emergency braking not listed
- Less torque at 370 Nm
CLE
- Stronger 255 hp and 400 Nm outputs
- Auto emergency braking is included
- Longer 4-year warranty
- Costs RM77,898 more
- Slower 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Four seats and a smaller 460-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,990✓ | RM 518,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 | 249 hp | 255 hp✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,850 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,428 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 275/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" AMG Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point with Illumination and Front Belt Feeder |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 17-Speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | — | 6 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.
A5 Sportback vs CLE FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz CLE better?
For most buyers, the Audi A5 Sportback is the better all-rounder because it costs less, has five seats, a bigger boot and is quicker to 100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz CLE is better if safety kit and warranty length matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE costs RM77,898 more than the Audi A5 Sportback.
Which one is quicker?
The Audi A5 Sportback is quicker from 0-100 km/h, taking 5.6 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz CLE’s 6.2 seconds. Both have a 250 km/h top speed.