The Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and BMW 3-Series square off as perennial rivals for relatively affordable luxury buyers.
In previous years, all three have been among the least expensive cars offered by the luxury brands, although all three have smaller siblings now.
In a nutshell: the A4 is tech heavy and conservative, the Benz is curvy but classy, and the BMW’s base powertrain is one of our faves.
There’s not a bad pick.
The rest of the bunch have bright points, but are aged and should be deeply discounted.
The Lexus offers a stout V-6, the Jaguar XE has a long-legged diesel powertrain and nimble handling.
The ATS is well on its way out of production, its turbo-4 is nearly ageless.
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 2019 Audi A4Browse Used Listings |  2019 BMW 3-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2019 Cadillac ATSBrowse Used Listings |  2019 Jaguar XEBrowse Used Listings |  2019 Lexus ISBrowse Used Listings |  2019 Mercedes-Benz C ClassBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2019 Audi A4 is hiding in plain sight as one of the automaker’s most complete and well-rounded cars. |
The 2019 BMW 330i moves back toward the sweet spot in sport-sedan greatness, with M Sport and M editions still to come. |
The 2019 Cadillac ATS pares down to only a two-door coupe this year as it heads toward the sunset as Cadillac's sporty compact. |
The 2019 Jaguar XE compact luxury sedan reminds us of the halcyon days of small four-door luxury cars. |
The 2019 Lexus IS has sports sedan intentions, but it needs more underhood muscle and fresher styling to keep pace with German rivals. |
Pricey and on the slighter side of mid-size, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class drops a beautiful cockpit, huge dollops of safety, and effortless AMG brilliance into the sport-sedan mix. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $37,400 | $40,250 | $38,995 | $36,995 | $38,560 | $41,400 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 21 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| Premium 40 TFSI | 330i Sedan | 2-Door Coupe 2.0L RWD | 25t RWD | IS 300 F SPORT RWD | C 300 Sedan |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Coupe | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2019 Audi A4 vs. 2019 BMW 3-Series | 2019 Audi A4 vs. 2019 Cadillac ATS | 2019 Audi A4 vs. 2019 Jaguar XE | 2019 Audi A4 vs. 2019 Lexus IS | 2019 Audi A4 vs. 2019 Mercedes-Benz C Class | |
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