Compare the2022 Audi RS 5 SportbackVS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics

Safety

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Both the RS 5 Sportback and AMG C-Class Sedan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS 5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG C-Class Sedan’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The RS 5 Sportback 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 AMG C-Class Sedan 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 RS 5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the RS 5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The RS 5 Sportback’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 AMG C-Class Sedan.

Both the RS 5 Sportback and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi RS 5 Sportback is safer than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan:

	RS 5 Sportback	AMG C-Class Sedan
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	236	246
Neck Injury Risk	25%	60%
Neck Stress	119 lbs.	147 lbs.
Neck Compression	47 lbs.	219 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi RS 5 Sportback is safer than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan:

	RS 5 Sportback	AMG C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	308 lbs.	452 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	277	459
Spine Acceleration	56 G’s	67 G’s
Hip Force	777 lbs.	949 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
Hip Force	666 lbs.	769 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The RS 5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

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.

Engine

The RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 59 more horsepower (444 vs. 385) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 384) than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi RS 5 Sportback is faster than the AMG C 43 Sedan 3.0 turbo V6:

	RS 5 Sportback	AMG C-Class Sedan
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	4.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.7 sec	11.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.5 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.9 sec	13.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	115 MPH	108 MPH
Top Speed	174 MPH	131 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the RS 5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS 5 Sportback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG C-Class Sedan:

	RS 5 Sportback	AMG C-Class Sedan
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches

The RS 5 Sportback stops shorter than the AMG C-Class Sedan:

	RS 5 Sportback	AMG C-Class Sedan
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	160 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RS 5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (265/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The RS 5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Sedan (275/30R20 vs. 245/40R18).

The RS 5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The RS 5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the AMG C 63 Sedan’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG C 63 Sedan. The RS 5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the AMG C 63 Sedan.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RS 5 Sportback is 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The RS 5 Sportback handles at .97 G’s, while the AMG C 43 Sedan pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the RS 5 Sportback’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the AMG C 63 Sedan’s (38.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The RS 5 Sportback’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the RS 5 Sportback a Mid-size car, while the AMG C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The RS 5 Sportback has 2.3 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front shoulder room than the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Ergonomics

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 5 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the RS 5 Sportback and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. The RS 5 Sportback also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.

On extremely cold winter days, the RS 5 Sportback’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The RS 5 Sportback has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 5 Sportback has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.