Compare the2024 Audi RS 3VS 2024 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’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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 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 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 hybrid.

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:

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 (F:265/30R19 & R:245/35R19 vs. 245/35R19).

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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the AMG CLA.

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.

The Audi A3/S3/RS 3 outsold the Mercedes CLA by 39% during 2023.