2013 Audi A7 vs 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class

2013 Audi A7

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class

Select style

4-Door HB quattro 3.0 Premium

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A7 4-Door HB quattro 3.0 Premium	18	28	$55,894	$60,100
A7 4-Door HB quattro 3.0 Premium Plus	18	28	$55,894	$60,100
A7 4-Door HB quattro 3.0 Prestige	18	28	$55,894	$60,100
S7 4-Door HB Prestige	17	27	$73,284	$78,800

Select style

4-Door Sedan CLS 550 4MATIC

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CLS-Class 4-Door Sedan CLS 550 4MATIC	16	25	$69,285	$74,500
CLS-Class 4-Door Sedan CLS 550 RWD	17	25	$66,960	$72,000
CLS-Class 4-Door Sedan CLS 63 AMG RWD	16	25	$89,187	$95,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$55,894

$69,285

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$60,100

$74,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1002 / month

$1242 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

9.0

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2013 Audi A7 and S7 are design standouts, refined performers, and more exciting, practical alternatives to sedans.

Carrying forward 2012's more muscular looks with inimitable style, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class gets new high-tech options while keeping its surprising performance.

TCC Likes

Beautiful inside and out
Excellent seats
Rides like a lux sedan, handles like a touring coupe

Stylishly aggressive design
Powerful, refined V-8 engines
Incredible handling and performance in AMG trim

TCC Dislikes

Tight backseat space
Lacks steering feel
Low-sloping rear window restricts cargo

Rear-seat head room still tight
High price tag
Interior somewhat over-wrought

Fuel Economy

City

18 mpg

16 mpg

Highway

28 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.900

56.500

Front Leg Room (in)

41.300

42.100

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.0

104.300

Front Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Second Leg Room (in)

37.000

35.000

Front Head Room (in)

36.900

36.930

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

- TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.200

57.100

Second Head Room (in)

36.600

36.140

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

55.900

55.750

Track Width, Rear (in)

64.400

64.100

Wheelbase (in)

114.700

113.150

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

75.200

74.060

Track Width, Front (in)

64.700

62.900

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

195.600

194.490

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

24.500

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.310

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.000 x - TBD -

12.600 x 1.000

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.000 x - TBD -

14.200 x 1.400

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

4 Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.800

21.130

Steering

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

2.600

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

N/A

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.800

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

39.000

37.000

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/45R18

P285/35R18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/45R18

P255/40R18

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4167

4268

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.5

18 x 9.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

190

180

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

310 @ 5500-6500

402 @ 5000-5750

Engine Type

Supercharged Gas V6

Turbocharged Gas V8

Fuel System

Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

325 @ 2900-4500

443 @ 1800-4750

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.0L/183

4.6L/285

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.317

3.420/2.230

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.839

0.730

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.143

2.860

Trans Order Code

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.848

2.470

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.667

1.370

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/Manual Shift

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.000

0.820

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.714

4.380

Clutch Size (in)

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.667

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.106

1.920

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.285

1.000

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Audi A7

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Air Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Five-link

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Air Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Trapezoidal-link

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

8.7

9.6

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

8.5 (2012)

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