Compare the2023 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2023 Mercedes AMG CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback and AMG CLA have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The S5 Sportback’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG CLA.

Both the S5 Sportback 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 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 blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S5 Sportback the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG CLA has not been tested, yet.

The S5 Sportback’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 S5 Sportback has a standard 150-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 S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 47 more horsepower (349 vs. 302) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 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 S5 Sportback gets better mileage than the AMG CLA:

Regenerative brakes improve the S5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The S5 Sportback has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG CLA (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi S5 Sportback higher (5 out of 10) than the Mercedes AMG CLA (3 to 5). This means the S5 Sportback produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG CLA every 15,000 miles.

The S5 Sportback stops shorter than the AMG CLA:

For better traction, the S5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the AMG CLA (255/35R19 vs. 235/40R18). The S5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG CLA (265/30R20 vs. 255/35R19).

The S5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 40 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the AMG CLA’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG CLA 35. The S5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the AMG CLA.

The S5 Sportback has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG CLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG CLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the AMG CLA (111.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The S5 Sportback’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the AMG CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the S5 Sportback more stable handling and braking.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S5 Sportback a Mid-size car, while the AMG CLA is rated a Compact.

The S5 Sportback has .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S5 Sportback has a standard power liftgate, 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.

The engine in the S5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG CLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The S5 Sportback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG CLA. The S5 Sportback Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG CLA.

On extremely cold winter days, the S5 Sportback’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Audi S5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Mercedes AMG CLA isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the S5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the S5 Sportback will cost $4440 to $7940 less than the AMG CLA over a five-year period.

The S5 Sportback will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the S5 Sportback will retain 48.4% to 48.51% of its original price after five years, while the AMG CLA only retains 43.32% to 43.79%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi S5 Sportback will be $5920 to $11254 less than for the Mercedes AMG CLA.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Mercedes CLA by over two to one during 2022.