Compare the2022 Mercedes A-ClassVS 2022 Audi A5 Sportback

The A-Class has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

The A-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the A-Class and the A5 Sportback 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 26 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the A-Class’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 15th in reliability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

For better stopping power the A-Class’ standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the A5 Sportback:

The A-Class stops much shorter than the A5 Sportback:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the A-Class can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The A-Class’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The A 220 4MATIC handles at .95 G’s, while the A5 Sportback Prestige pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the A-Class’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A5 Sportback’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Mercedes A-Class may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Audi A5 Sportback.

The A-Class is 8.2 inches shorter than the A5 Sportback, making the A-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes A-Class amounts to more than styling. The A-Class has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the A5 Sportback (.29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A-Class get better fuel mileage.

The A-Class has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the A5 Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The A-Class has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the A5 Sportback, the A-Class has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The A-Class’ standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the A-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 Sportback can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the A-Class offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The A-Class also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The A-Class’ optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The A5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The A-Class is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the A-Class owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A-Class will cost $275 to $3140 less than the A5 Sportback over a five-year period.

The A-Class will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the A-Class will retain 44.32% to 44.51% of its original price after five years, while the A5 Sportback only retains 43.74% to 43.87%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes A-Class will be $6773 to $15130 less than for the Audi A5 Sportback.