Audi RS3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi RS3
From $101,515
Sedan
Petrol
5-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging
294kW
8.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
321L
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
From $66,500
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
100kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
405L
Track the Audi RS3 & Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Audi RS3 starts from $101,515 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class opens at $66,500. That makes the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class the more affordable entry point by $35,015.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $111,667 and $73,150 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by roughly $3,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi RS3 stands out with head-up display, heated front seats and Sonos 3D Premium audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi RS3 uses a 5-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging producing 294kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class responds with a Petrol making 100kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds.
The Audi RS3 has the clear power advantage at 294kW vs 100kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi RS3 is 5.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi RS3 measures 4,548mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, 175mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 321L in the Audi RS3 and 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a 84L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m diameter
Average
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator — U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m — no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Audi RS3 and $1,539/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Audi RS3) vs $1,539 (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class saves you roughly $798 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi RS3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RS3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will save you roughly $798 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi RS3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the cheapest at $66,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi RS3 by $35,015.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi RS3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the largest boot at 405L.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi RS3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,900kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi RS3 makes the most power at 294kW. The Audi RS3 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
