Compare the2023 Mercedes CLSVS 2023 Audi A7

The CLS 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 A7’s blind spot costs extra.

The CLS’ 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 A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CLS and the A7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 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 CLS’ 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 CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (362 vs. 335) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes CLS is faster than the Audi A7:

On the EPA test cycle the CLS 450 4MATIC gets better fuel mileage than the A7 (22 city/30 hwy vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

The CLS has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes CLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

For better stopping power the CLS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The CLS stops shorter than the A7:

For better traction and acceleration, the CLS has larger rear tires than the A7 (275/35R19 vs. 255/40R20).

The CLS’ standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A7’s standard 40 series tires. The CLS’ optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the CLS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The CLS 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 A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The CLS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CLS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The A7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The CLS’ 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 A7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The CLS 450 4MATIC handles at .90 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CLS’ turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the A7’s (39 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The design of the Mercedes CLS amounts to more than styling. The CLS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the A7 (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the CLS get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CLS 450 4MATIC is quieter than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (37 vs. 38 dB).

The CLS has .6 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the A7.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the CLS offers cargo security. The A7’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The CLS 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 A7 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the CLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The A7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the CLS offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The CLS also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the CLS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The CLS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The CLS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over 8 to one during 2022.