Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class CabrioletVS 2023 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Cabriolet has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The E-Class Cabriolet 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 S5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the E-Class Cabriolet 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 S5.

The E-Class Cabriolet’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 S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the E-Class Cabriolet and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 and lane departure warning systems.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Cabriolet’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 E-Class Cabriolet’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (362 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Cabriolet gets better mileage than the S5 Cabriolet:

The E-Class Cabriolet has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (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 E-Class Cabriolet higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi S5 (5). This means the E-Class Cabriolet produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S5 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S5.

For better stopping power the E-Class Cabriolet’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class Cabriolet can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The E-Class Cabriolet has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Cabriolet’s 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 S5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Cabriolet’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 S5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Cabriolet’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the S5 (113.1 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class Cabriolet is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the S5.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the E-Class Cabriolet more stable handling and braking.

The E-Class Cabriolet has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Cabriolet (87 vs. 81).

The E-Class Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (9.5 vs. 7.3 cubic feet).

The E-Class Cabriolet 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 S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the S5, the E-Class Cabriolet has standard driver and 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 E-Class Cabriolet’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the S5’s standard power windows.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the E-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the E-Class Cabriolet has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class Cabriolet to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The S5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The E-Class Cabriolet’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi S5 isn’t available as a station wagon.

The E-Class Cabriolet is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The S5 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by 469 units during 2022.