Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2024 Audi A7

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the E-Class Sedan are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A7 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The E-Class Sedan has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A7 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A7’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the E-Class Sedan has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A7.

The E-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the A7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The E 450 Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (375 vs. 335) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the A7:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Sedan higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the Audi A7 (5). This means the E-Class Sedan produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A7 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

For better stopping power the E 450 Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The E-Class Sedan’s 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The A7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the A7 (116.6 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the E 350 Sedan’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the A7’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The E 450 Sedan’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the A7’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The E-Class Sedan has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A7 (100 vs. 95).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the E-Class Sedan’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A7 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the E-Class offers cargo security. The A7’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The E-Class Sedan’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class Sedan to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The A7’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The E-Class Sedan’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the E-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A7.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi A7 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over 9 to one during 2023.