Compare the2023 Mercedes C-Class CoupeVS 2023 Audi A5

The C-Class Coupe 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’s blind spot costs extra.

The C-Class Coupe’s 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 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the C-Class Coupe and the A5 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 all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the C-Class Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The C-Class Coupe has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (17.4 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes C-Class Coupe higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi A5 (5). This means the C-Class Coupe produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A5 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes C-Class Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

The C-Class Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The C-Class Coupe stops shorter than the A5:

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

The C-Class Coupe’s 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 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the C-Class Coupe’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the A5 (111.8 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

The C 300 4MATIC handles at .91 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The C 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (25.9 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the C 300’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the A5’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The C 300 4MATIC’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the A5’s (37.6 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The C-Class Coupe has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the A5 Coupe.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the C-Class Coupe easier. The C-Class Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 25.3 inches, while the A5’s liftover is 28.5 inches.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the C-Class Coupe has a standard power trunk, 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 A5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Program on the C-Class Coupe uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The C-Class Coupe 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 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the A5, the C-Class Coupe offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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

If the windows are left open on the C-Class Coupe 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 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

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

The C-Class Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the C-Class Coupe is less expensive to operate than the A5 because typical repairs cost much less on the C-Class Coupe than the A5, including $50 less for a water pump, $34 less for front brake pads, $155 less for a starter, $5 less for fuel injection, $48 less for front struts and $323 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the Audi A5/S5 by 43% during 2022.