Compare the2022 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2021 Mercedes AMG A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S5 Sportback are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG A-Class doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the S5 Sportback and AMG A-Class have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S5 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 A-Class’ 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 S5 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 A-Class 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The S5 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 A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S5 Sportback’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the S5 Sportback and the AMG A-Class 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Audi S5 Sportback weighs 464 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG A-Class. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S5 Sportback the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG A-Class has not been tested, yet.

The S5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG A-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

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.

The S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 47 more horsepower (349 vs. 302) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the S5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG A-Class requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The S5 Sportback has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG A-Class (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Audi S5 Sportback, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the AMG A-Class.

The S5 Sportback stops shorter than the AMG A-Class:

For better traction, the S5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the AMG A-Class (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18). The S5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG A-Class (265/30R20 vs. 235/40R18).

The S5 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 A-Class’ standard 40 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the AMG A-Class’ optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG A-Class. The S5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the AMG A-Class.

The S5 Sportback 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 AMG A-Class; 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 AMG A-Class don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the AMG A-Class (111.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the S5 Sportback Prestige is quieter than the AMG A 35:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S5 Sportback a Mid-size car, while the AMG A-Class is rated a Compact.

The S5 Sportback has .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG A-Class.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S5 Sportback has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The engine in the S5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG A-Class. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The AMG A-Class 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 S5 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The S5 Sportback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG A-Class. The S5 Sportback Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG A-Class.

The Audi S5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG A-Class isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Mercedes A-Class by 84% during the 2021 model year.