Compare the2023 Audi S3VS 2023 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

Both the S3 and AMG C-Class Sedan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S3 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 C-Class Sedan’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 Audi S3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The S3 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 C-Class Sedan 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 S3’s 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. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the S3 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The S3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the AMG C-Class Sedan’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the S3 gets better fuel mileage than the AMG C 43 Sedan (23 city/32 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The S3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s standard 45 series tires. The S3’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s 45 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the S3’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Audi S3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan.

The S3 is 11.3 inches shorter than the AMG C-Class Sedan, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 S3 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer headlight washers.