Compare the2022 Audi RS 3VS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

Both the RS 3 and AMG C-Class Sedan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS 3 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 3 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 3. But it costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The RS 3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Both the RS 3 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The RS 3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG 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 RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (401 vs. 385) than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the RS 3 gets better mileage than the AMG C-Class Sedan:

For better stopping power the RS 3’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the RS 3 has larger front tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (F:265/30R19 & R:245/35R19 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18). The RS 3’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Sedan (265/30R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The RS 3’s 265/30R19 front and 245/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series front and 35 series rear 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 3’s tires are lower profile than the AMG C 63 Sedan’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG C 63 Sedan.

The RS 3 is 6.2 inches shorter than the AMG C 63 Sedan, making the RS 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi RS 3 amounts to more than styling. The RS 3 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the AMG C-Class Sedan (.31 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RS 3 get better fuel mileage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS 3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.