2018 Audi A3 vs 2018 BMW 2-Series vs 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

2018 Audi A3

2018 BMW 2-Series

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

Select style

2.0 TFSI Premium FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD	25	33	$37,248	$40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD	25	33	$37,248	$40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD	22	30	$39,758	$42,750
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD	22	30	$39,758	$42,750
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD	26	35	$31,296	$33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD	26	35	$31,296	$33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD	24	31	$34,086	$36,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD	24	31	$34,086	$36,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium Plus	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Prestige	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium	N/A	N/A	$37,806	$40,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium Plus	N/A	N/A	$37,806	$40,650
RS 3 2.5 TFSI S Tronic	19	28	$51,058	$54,900
S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus	22	28	$40,596	$43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige	22	28	$40,596	$43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus	22	28	$42,362	$45,550
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Prestige	22	28	$42,362	$45,550

Select style

230i Convertible

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
2 Series 230i Convertible	24	34	$38,400	$40,750
2 Series 230i Coupe	24	35	$33,005	$34,950
2 Series 230i xDrive Convertible	23	33	$40,260	$42,750
2 Series 230i xDrive Coupe	24	33	$34,865	$36,950
2 Series M240i Convertible	21	30	$47,045	$50,050
2 Series M240i Coupe	21	30	$42,770	$45,450
2 Series M240i xDrive Convertible	21	30	$48,905	$52,050
2 Series M240i xDrive Coupe	21	30	$44,630	$47,450
M2 Coupe	18	26	$51,185	$54,500

Select style

AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Coupe

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CLA AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Coupe	23	30	$46,872	$50,400
CLA CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe	24	32	$32,271	$34,700
CLA CLA 250 Coupe	24	37	$30,411	$32,700

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$35,666

$38,400

$46,872

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$38,350

$40,750

$50,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$639 / month

$679 / month

$840 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Audi S3 is a blast to drive, but it suffers from a tiny rear seat and the Volkswagen Golf R offers the same performance with more room for less.

The 2018 BMW 2-Series is a competent coupe with plenty of power—even in base trim.

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a gorgeous shape in an impressive package. Equally impressive? Its ability to get expensive, even despite being the most affordable sedan in Mercedes' stable.

TCC Likes

Tremendous performance bang for buck
Great powertrain
High-end LTE connectivity

Great base engine
Smart looks
Available manual transmission

Sleek silhouette
Responsive turbo engines
Supportive front seats

TCC Dislikes

Tiny rear seat
No manual transmission
Gets pricey with options

Pricey optional extras
Cramped back seat
Coupe look is a little gangly

Small rear seat
Can get pricey
Stiff ride

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

24 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

34 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

36.3

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

45.7

42.2

53.2

Front Head Room (in)

37.4

40.5

38.2

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

54.4

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

31.8

27.1

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

41.5

40.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

59.9

61.3

Length, Overall (in)

174.1

174.7

183.8

Height, Overall (in)

55.5

55.6

55.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.1

61.3

61.5

Wheelbase (in)

102.2

105.9

106.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

69.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

9.9

11.8

13.1

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3

13.8

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.7

11.4

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

13.7

14.8

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.1

35.8

36.2

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

STDTR

Front Tire Size

P225/45HR17

P205/50HR17

P235/40WR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

STDTR

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/45HR17

P205/50HR17

P235/40WR18

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3428

3680

3450

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7.5

18 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

320

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

170

115

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

186 @ 4400

248 @ 5200

375 @ 6000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

221 @ 1600

258 @ 1450

350 @ 2250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/121

2.0 L/122

2.0 L/121

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

1.31

0.87

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.90

3.46

3.10

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.75

3.20

2.43

Trans Order Code

2TB

429

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.93

1.72

1.19

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.76

1.00

1.16

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.40

5.00

3.86

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.77

2.81

4.13

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

2.14

2.90

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.64

0.82

0.94

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.64

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi A3 Cabriolet

BMW 2 Series

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Body Style

Cabriolet

Convertible

4MATIC

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

6.3

6.6

6.8

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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