Audi TTS vs Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes 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 TTS
$95,100 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Coupe
Petrol
2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol (TFSI)
200kW
7.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
From $104,900
Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
150kW
7.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
420L
Audi TTS: 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi TTS starts from $95,100 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class opens at $104,900. That makes the Audi TTS the more affordable entry point by $9,800.
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 $104,610 and $115,390 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class by roughly $1,000 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.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi TTS uses a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol (TFSI) producing 200kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a s tronic 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
The Audi TTS has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi TTS is 2.2s 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.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m 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 10.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
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: careful, tight swing
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 $2,252/year for the Audi TTS and $2,052/year for the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi TTS if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi TTS takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class will save you roughly $200 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 TTS and Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
The Audi TTS is the cheapest at $95,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class by $9,800.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class uses the least fuel at 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi TTS and Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi TTS makes the most power at 200kW. The Audi TTS 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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