Compare the2024 Audi RS 5VS 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe

The Audi RS 5 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 E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RS 5 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 E-Class Coupe 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 RS 5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The RS 5’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 E-Class Coupe.

Both the RS 5 and the AMG E-Class Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The RS 5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The RS 5’s 2.9 turbo V6 produces 15 more horsepower (444 vs. 429) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 384) than the AMG E-Class Coupe’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi RS 5 is faster than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe:

For better stopping power the RS 5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG E-Class Coupe:

The RS 5 stops much shorter than the AMG E-Class Coupe:

For better traction, the RS 5 has larger standard tires than the AMG E-Class Coupe (265/35R19 vs. 245/40R19). The RS 5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG E-Class Coupe (275/30R20 vs. 245/40R19).

The RS 5’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 E-Class Coupe’s standard 40 series front tires. The RS 5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the AMG E-Class Coupe’s optional 35 series front tires.

The RS 5 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 E-Class Coupe; 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 E-Class Coupe don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The RS 5 handles at 1.05 G’s, while the AMG E 53 Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RS 5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the AMG E 53 Coupe (23.8 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RS 5’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the AMG E-Class Coupe’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Audi RS 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe.

The RS 5 is 4.6 inches shorter than the AMG E-Class Coupe, making the RS 5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RS 5 has a larger trunk than the AMG E-Class Coupe (10.9 vs. 10 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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.

Laser headlights, standard on the RS 5, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the AMG E-Class Coupe’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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 5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG E-Class Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RS 5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG E-Class Coupe.

The RS 5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RS 5 will retain 54.74% of its original price after five years, while the AMG E-Class Coupe only retains 45.67%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi RS 5 will be $12462 less than for the Mercedes AMG E-Class Coupe.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by 39% during 2023.