Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| AudiA3 Sportback | Mercedes-BenzA-Class Hatchback | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | May 2020 | May 2018 |
| Performance | ||
| Powertrain | Petrol, Mild hybrid, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid | Mild hybrid, Petrol |
| Power | 114–395 bhp | 134–416 bhp (better) |
| 0–62 mph | 3.8–9.9 s (better) | 3.9–9.2 s |
| Top speed | 127–174 mph (better) | 134–168 mph |
| Engine or motors | 1.5-litre four-cylinder TFSI (116 or 150 PS; 48V mild hybrid with S tronic), 2.0-litre TDI diesel (150 PS), 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid plug-in hybrid (204 PS system output), 2.0-litre TFSI (333 PS, S3), 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI (400 PS, RS 3); bhp converted from Audi's PS figures | A 180: 1,332 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol with 48 V mild hybrid, 100 kW (136 hp) + 10 kW; A 35: 1,991 cc four-cylinder, 225 kW (306 hp) + 10 kW mild hybrid; A 45 S: 1,991 cc four-cylinder, 310 kW (421 hp); bhp converted from Mercedes' kW figures |
| Torque | 220 Nm (116 PS), 250 Nm (150 PS TFSI), 360 Nm (TDI), 350 Nm system (e-hybrid), 420 Nm (S3), 500 Nm (RS 3) | 230 Nm (A 180), 400 Nm (A 35), 500 Nm (A 45 S) |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual or 7-speed S tronic; 6-speed S tronic on e-hybrid | 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic (A 180); 8G-DCT (A 35); AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G (A 45 S) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive; quattro four-wheel drive on S3 and RS 3 | Front-wheel drive (A 180); 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AMG) |
| Range and charging | ||
| Zero-emission range (WLTP) | 87 miles | – |
| Battery | 19.7 kWh | – |
| Fastest charging | 50 kW | – |
| Economy (WLTP) | 30.1–256.8 mpg (better) | 30.8–48.8 mpg |
| Range detail | e-hybrid WLTP electric range: up to 87 miles combined, depending on trim | – |
| Charging | e-hybrid has a 19.7 kWh net (25.7 kWh gross) battery; Audi UK lists 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC (10–80% in 26 minutes). Its UK battery table labels 25.7 kWh as net, contrary to Audi's technical sheet and press release. | – |
| Efficiency | WLTP combined: 47.2–50.6 mpg (116 PS manual), 50.0–53.7 mpg (116 PS S tronic), 46.8–50.2 mpg (150 PS manual), 50.3–53.9 mpg (150 PS S tronic), 56.9–58.2 mpg (TDI), 217.3–256.8 mpg (e-hybrid); depends on trim | WLTP combined: 48.8 mpg (A 180), 33.3 mpg (A 35), 30.8 mpg (A 45 S) |
| CO2 emissions | 119–138 g/km (TFSI), 127–130 g/km (TDI), WLTP combined | 131 g/km (A 180), 193 g/km (A 35), 208 g/km (A 45 S), WLTP combined |
| Practicality | ||
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot | 380 litres (better) | 350 litres |
| Length | 4,352 mm | 4,428 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Weight | From 1,345 kg | From 1,464 kg |
| Boot | 380 litres, 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded; 280/1,100 litres (e-hybrid), 325/1,145 litres (S3), 282/1,104 litres (RS 3) | 350 litres (A 180); 370 litres (AMG A 35 and A 45 S) |
| Towing | Up to 1,300 kg braked (116 PS), 1,500 kg (150 PS), 1,600 kg (TDI) | 1,400 kg braked (A 180), 1,800 kg (A 35), 1,500 kg (A 45 S) |
| Size | 4,352 mm long, 1,816 mm wide, 1,441 mm high (RS 3 4,381 x 1,851 mm); weight is Audi UK's unladen figure, 1,345 kg (116 PS manual) to 1,655 kg (e-hybrid) | 4,428 mm long (4,447 mm A 35, 4,453 mm A 45 S), 1,796 mm wide without mirrors (1,797 mm A 35, 1,850 mm A 45 S; 1,992 mm with mirrors), 1,423 mm high (1,407 mm A 35, 1,414 mm A 45 S); kerb weight 1,464 kg (A 180), 1,657 kg (A 35), 1,710 kg (A 45 S) |
| Tech and safety | ||
| Infotainment | 12.8-inch MMI touch display and 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus in a curved panel on the 2026 update; MMI navigation from Sport trim | – |
| Driver assistance | Rear-view camera with parking system plus; matrix LED headlights and head-up display optional | – |
| Safety rating | Euro NCAP 5 stars (2025 reassessment); adult occupant 86%, child occupant 81%, vulnerable road users 76%, safety assist 74% | – |
| Warranty | High-voltage battery 8 years or 100,000 miles (e-hybrid) | – |
