2020 Audi A3 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

2020 Audi A3

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

#5 in Luxury Small Sedans

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Premium 40 TFSI

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A3 Sedan Premium 40 TFSI	27	36	$31,304	$33,300
A3 Sedan Premium Plus 40 TFSI	27	36	$31,304	$33,300
A3 Sedan S line Premium 45 TFSI quattro	22	30	$34,312	$36,500
A3 Sedan S line Premium Plus 45 TFSI quattro	22	30	$34,312	$36,500
RS 3 Sedan 2.5 TFSI	19	28	$52,828	$56,200
S3 Sedan S line Premium 2.0 TFSI quattro	22	29	$40,420	$43,000
S3 Sedan S line Premium Plus 2.0 TFSI quattro	22	29	$40,420	$43,000

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AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Coupe

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CLA AMG CLA 35 4MATIC Coupe	22	29	$44,979	$47,850
CLA AMG CLA 45 4MATIC Coupe	20	29	$52,029	$55,350
CLA CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe	24	33	$37,459	$39,850
CLA CLA 250 Coupe	25	35	$35,579	$37,850

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$31,304

$44,979

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$33,300

$47,850

Monthly Payment Estimate

$555 / month

$798 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

6.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Audi A3 is a well-equipped entry-level compact sedan that delivers more substance than flash.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is a stylish little sedan with plenty of personality and a hefty price tag.

TCC Likes

High-tech features standard
Decent value
Good safety tech

Coupe-ish silhouette
Great interior tech
Hot AMG versions

TCC Dislikes

Tight rear seat and trunk
Can get pricey with options
No more convertible

Tiny trunk
Big money, little car
The least practical of Mercedes’ small cars

Fuel Economy

City

27 mpg

22 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

29 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

55.1

Second Leg Room (in)

35.1

33.9

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

41.8

Second Head Room (in)

36.1

35.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

Front Head Room (in)

36.5

38.5

Exterior Dimensions

Length, Overall (in)

175.5

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

55.7

55.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.1

63.3

Wheelbase (in)

103.8

107.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

72.2

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

63.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.3

11.6

Brakes

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

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

13.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.1

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/40HR18

P235/40HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R02

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/40HR18

P235/40HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

R02

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3197

3505

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

320

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

320

115

Engine

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

221 @ 1600

295 @ 3000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

184 @ 4300

302 @ 5800

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.75

10.04

Trans Order Code

426

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.93

4.92

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.76

2.77

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.40

15.93

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.12

3.46

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

6.93

Trans Type

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.64

2.23

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

3.61

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.90

12.81

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi A3 Sedan

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Body Style

Sedan

4MATIC

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

5.9

7.2

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

2020 Audi A3

2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

2022 CLA-Class is ready to be ordered
Lease: From $409/mo.
Rebates: $500 financing rebate
Finance: No APR offers

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