Compare the2022 Audi A5VS 2021 Mercedes E-Class Coupe

The Audi A5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The A5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A5. But it costs extra on the E-Class Coupe.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the A5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The A5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the E-Class Coupe.

Both the A5 and the E-Class Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the A5 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 217 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The E-Class Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The A5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the E-Class Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the E-Class Coupe’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A5’s reliability 18 points higher than the E-Class Coupe.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Coupe gets better mileage than the E-Class Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi A5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The E-Class Coupe requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The A5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class Coupe (255/35R19 vs. 245/45R18).

The A5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the E-Class Coupe 4MATIC’s standard 45 series tires.

The A5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the E-Class Coupe; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the E-Class Coupe don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Audi A5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 550 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class Coupe.

The A5 is 5.5 inches shorter than the E-Class Coupe, making the A5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The A5 Coupe has a larger trunk than the E-Class Coupe (10.9 vs. 10 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the A5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the A5 and the E-Class Coupe have standard heated front seats. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the E-Class Coupe.

Insurance will cost less for the A5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the A5 with a number “3” insurance rate while the E-Class Coupe is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the A5 is less expensive to operate than the E-Class Coupe because it costs $45 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the A5 than the E-Class Coupe, including $46 less for a water pump, $349 less for a muffler, $161 less for a starter, $168 less for fuel injection, $433 less for a timing belt/chain and $573 less for a power steering pump.