Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG CLAVS 2026 Audi RS 3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG CLA have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi RS 3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The AMG CLA’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 RS 3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG CLA and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The AMG CLA 45 S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 22 more horsepower (416 vs. 394) than the RS 3’s 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG CLA 35 gets better fuel mileage than the RS 3 (22 city/29 hwy vs. 20 city/29 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG CLA’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG CLA’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG CLA, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the RS 3.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG CLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RS 3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG CLA has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RS 3’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The AMG CLA’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 RS 3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG CLA’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the RS 3 (107.4 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG CLA is .8 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RS 3.

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the AMG CLA a Compact car, while the RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The AMG CLA has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

The AMG CLA has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (11.6 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

The AMG CLA has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the RS 3, the AMG CLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG CLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RS 3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG CLA’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.

The AMG CLA’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Both the Mercedes AMG CLA and Audi RS 3 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The AMG CLA features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the RS 3’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the AMG CLA keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The RS 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the AMG CLA’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The AMG CLA offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RS 3.

The Mercedes CLA outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 23% during 2024.