Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG CLAVS 2023 Audi S4

The AMG CLA has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 S4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG CLA has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S4.

The AMG CLA’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 S4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG CLA and the S4 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG CLA’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 AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (382 vs. 349) than the S4’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG CLA 45 is faster than the Audi S4:

The AMG CLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the AMG CLA 45’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S4:

The AMG CLA stops shorter than the S4:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG CLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG CLA’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 S4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S4.

The AMG CLA 45 handles at .99 G’s, while the S4 Prestige pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the S4 Prestige (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA 35’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the S4’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mercedes AMG CLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 350 pounds less than the Audi S4.

The AMG CLA has 1.2 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more front legroom than the S4.

The AMG CLA 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 S4 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the S4, the AMG CLA 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 AMG CLA’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG CLA’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S4 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Mercedes AMG CLA 45 higher than the Audi S4 Prestige.