Compare the2023 Audi RS 3VS 2023 Mercedes AMG CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS 3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RS 3 and AMG CLA 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 CLA’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 CLA 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.

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 CLA.

Both the RS 3 and the AMG CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RS 3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG CLA has not been tested, yet.

The RS 3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the RS 3 has a standard 140-amp alternator. The AMG CLA’s 115-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 18 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder produces 99 more horsepower (401 vs. 302) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (401 vs. 382) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the AMG CLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RS 3 gets better fuel mileage than the AMG CLA 45 (20 city/29 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

The RS 3 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the AMG CLA (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the RS 3’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLA:

The RS 3 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the RS 3 has larger tires than the AMG CLA (F:265/30R19 & R:245/35R19 vs. 235/40R18). The RS 3’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG CLA (265/30R19 vs. 255/35R19).

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 CLA 35’s standard 40 series tires. The RS 3’s tires are lower profile than the AMG CLA’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 CLA 35.

The RS 3 is 6 inches shorter than the AMG CLA, making the RS 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RS 3 has .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the RS 3 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 AMG CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 3 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield, the RS 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 CLA.

The Audi A3/S3/RS 3 outsold the Mercedes CLA by 12% during 2022.