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

2018 Audi A3
X
2018 BMW 2-Series
X
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class
X
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 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
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
6.8
6.2
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
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
25 mpg 24 mpg 23 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 34 mpg 30 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Subcompact Cars Subcompact Cars Subcompact Cars
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity
4 4 5
Front Leg Room (in)
41.2 41.5 40.2
Second Head Room (in)
36.3 37 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 56
Second Leg Room (in)
31.9 31.8 27.1
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in)
102.2 105.9 106.3
Height, Overall (in)
55.5 55.6 55.7
Track Width, Rear (in)
60.1 61.3 61.5
Length, Overall (in)
174.1 174.7 183.8
Track Width, Front (in)
61.2 59.9 61.3
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
- 69.8 70
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
9.9 11.8 13.1
Brakes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.7 11.4 13
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.3 12.3 13.8
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
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 Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/45HR17 P205/50HR17 P235/40WR18
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA STDTR
Front Tire Size
P225/45HR17 P205/50HR17 P235/40WR18
Spare Tire Size
Compact NA NA
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA STDTR
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3428 3680 3450
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel NA NA
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7.5 17 X 7.5 18 X 8
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact NA NA
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7.5 17 X 7.5 18 X 8
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
320 - -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
140 170 115
Engine
Displacement
2.0 L/121 2.0 L/122 2.0 L/121
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
186 @ 4400 248 @ 5200 375 @ 6000
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
221 @ 1600 258 @ 1450 350 @ 2250
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
28 27 26
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 34 30
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
25 24 23
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
4.77 2.81 4.13
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.77 2.14 2.90
Trans Type
7 8 7
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.70 1.31 0.87
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.90 3.46 3.10
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.75 3.20 2.43
Trans Order Code
NA 2TB 429
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.64 0.82 0.94
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 Drive
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.76 1.00 1.16
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.40 5.00 3.86
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.64 -
Summary
Body Style
Cabriolet Convertible 4MATIC
Vehicle Name
Audi A3 Cabriolet BMW 2 Series Mercedes-Benz CLA
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut Strut
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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