Audi S6 vs Mercedes-Benz C-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.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Audi S6: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$196,000RRP
- no option data for this car
$76,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi S6 starts from $196,000 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class opens at $76,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz C-Class the more affordable entry point by $119,100.
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 $215,600 and $84,590 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz C-Class by roughly $8,120 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.
Recalls on our record
Audi S6
None open on our record
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006349 · published 15 May 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicle management systems connected to the fuse box may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-006345 · published 29 Apr 2025The driver’s seat belt safety cap may have been incorrectly installed and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 62 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi S6 uses a 5.2-litre V10 producing 320kW and 540Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed tiptronic with dsp and sports program to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Audi S6 has the clear power advantage at 320kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi S6 is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
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 9.6 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
1.8 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 $3,591/year for the Audi S6 and $1,967/year for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. That is a $1,624 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi S6 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (33 vs 74). The Audi S6 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class will save you roughly $1,624 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi S6 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the cheapest at $76,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi S6 by $119,100.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Mercedes-Benz C-Class holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Audi S6, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi S6 makes the most power at 320kW. The Audi S6 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.2s.
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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
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