2015 Audi A3 vs 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

2015 Audi A3

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

Select style

4-Door Sedan FWD 1.8T Premium

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan FWD 1.8T Premium	23	33	$27,808	$29,900
4-Door Sedan FWD 1.8T Premium Plus	23	33	$27,808	$29,900
4-Door Sedan FWD 1.8T Prestige	23	33	$27,808	$29,900
4-Door Sedan FWD 2.0 TDI Premium	31	43	$30,318	$32,600
4-Door Sedan FWD 2.0 TDI Premium Plus	31	43	$30,318	$32,600
4-Door Sedan FWD 2.0 TDI Prestige	31	43	$30,318	$32,600
4-Door Sedan quattro 2.0T Premium	24	33	$30,876	$33,200
4-Door Sedan quattro 2.0T Premium Plus	24	33	$30,876	$33,200
4-Door Sedan quattro 2.0T Prestige	24	33	$30,876	$33,200
2-Door Cabriolet FWD 1.8T Premium	24	35	$33,108	$35,600
2-Door Cabriolet FWD 1.8T Premium Plus	24	35	$33,108	$35,600
2-Door Cabriolet FWD 1.8T Prestige	24	35	$33,108	$35,600
2-Door Cabriolet quattro 2.0T Premium	23	32	$35,898	$38,600
2-Door Cabriolet quattro 2.0T Premium Plus	23	32	$35,898	$38,600
2-Door Cabriolet quattro 2.0T Prestige	23	32	$35,898	$38,600

Select style

4-Door Sedan FWD CLA 250

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan FWD CLA 250	26	38	$29,295	$31,500
4-Door Sedan 4MATIC CLA 250	24	33	$31,155	$33,500
4-Door Sedan 4MATIC CLA 45 AMG	23	31	$45,105	$48,500

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$27,808

$29,295

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$29,900

$31,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$498 / month

$525 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 Audi A3 and S3 put more pressure on "premium" small sedans, with real prestige in their badges and real potential in their spec sheets.

The 2015 CLA is a small Mercedes done right, with enough of the brand's style and refinement mixed with a dash of youthfulness.

TCC Likes

Quick, nicely weighted steering
The best in-dash interface (MMI)
Super-flexible, efficient engines

Mini-CLS silhouette
Eager turbo four engines
Grippy front seats to go with handling

TCC Dislikes

Tiny back seat
Road noise
Not quite a luxury car

Are we ready for a Civic-sized Benz again?
Rear-seat headroom is tight
LCD screen's tacked-on look

Fuel Economy

City

23 mpg

26 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

38 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

Second Leg Room (in)

35.1

27.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

40.2

Second Head Room (in)

36.4

35.4

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.2

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

38.2

Exterior Dimensions

Length, Overall (in)

175

182.3

Height, Overall (in)

55.8

56.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.1

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

103.8

106.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

60.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.3

13.1

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7

11.6

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3

12.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3175

3395

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

17 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

115

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

200 @ 1600

258 @ 1250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.8 L/110

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

170 @ 4500

208 @ 5500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.12

4.13

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.30

2.67

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.91

0.78

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.99

3.38

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.05

2.43

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.90

1.05

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.76

1.05

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.46

3.86

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.84

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

Vehicle Name

Audi A3

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.5 (Est)

6.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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