Compare the2022 Audi S5VS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Coupe

The S5’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S5 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 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 S5. But it costs extra on the C-Class Coupe.

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

The S5’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 Coupe.

Both the S5 and the C-Class Coupe 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, 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.

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 S5 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C-Class Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The S5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-Class Coupe’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’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 Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

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

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

For better traction, the S5 has larger standard tires than the C-Class Coupe (255/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The S5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Coupe (265/30R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The S5’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 Coupe’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The S5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the C-Class Coupe’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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

The S5 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 Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The S5 Prestige Coupe handles at .94 G’s, while the C 300 pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S5 Coupe has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Coupe (84 vs. 79.3).

The S5 Coupe has .5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the C-Class Coupe.

The S5 Coupe has a larger trunk than the C-Class Coupe (10.9 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the S5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

The S5 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The C-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The S5 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 Coupe.