Compare the2022 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Both the S5 Sportback and C-Class Sedan 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 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 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 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 S5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan.

Both the S5 Sportback and the 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 S5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (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 94 more horsepower (349 vs. 255) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S5 Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

The S5 Sportback stops shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the S5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the C-Class Sedan (255/35R19 vs. 225/50R17). The S5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (265/30R20 vs. 225/40R19).

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 C-Class Sedan’s 50 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the C-Class Sedan’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan. The S5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan; 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 C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The S5 Sportback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The S5 Sportback Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S5 Sportback Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the C 300 Sedan 4MATIC (25 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

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

The S5 Sportback has 2.3 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

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 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 S5 Sportback has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Both the S5 Sportback and the C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. 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 C-Class Sedan.

The S5 Sportback has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.