Earlier today, Mercedes-Benz has launched the company’s latest car – Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in India and it will directly compete with Audi A3. Already, Audi A3 is much popular in India and in this post we are comparing it with recently launched Mercedes CLA-Class in terms of specificaations, pricing, engine and in mileage. Below you can find the comparison between entry-level sedan between two cars.
Dimensions:
When both compared dimensionally, the Mercedes-Benz is 4630 mm in length, 1777 mm in width and 1432 mm in height while the arch rival Audi A3 is 4,456 mm in length, 1796 mm in width and 1416 mm in height. The Mercedes CLA sedan has a 62mm longer wheelbase of 2,699mm while the Audi A3 Sedan has wheelbase of 2,673mm. Both the models offer same ground clearance of 160 mm & 5.5 meter respectively, which is pretty good when you are talking about Indian roads. Fuel tank capacity in both cars are same, i.e., 50 litres.
Engine:
Both the entry-level premium sedans are available in Petrol and Diesel variants. The Petrol version of the Mercedes CLA-Class sedan is powered by a 2.0-litre, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which outputs a power of 181 BHP at 5500 RPM with a maximum torque of 300 Nm between 1200 – 1400 RPM. The petrol version of Audi A3 is powered by a 1.8-litre TFSI engine (the similar one you find in Skoda Octavia) which outputs a power of 180 BHP between 5100-6200 RPM with a maximum torque of 250 Nm between 1250 RPM – 5000 RPM. The engine on Mercedes CLA-Class petrol version is coupled with 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) while the engine on Audi A3 petrol version couple with 7-Speed S-tronic transmission. The Diesel version of Mercedes CLA-Class sedan is powered by 2.2-litre, in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which outputs power of 134 BHP between 3600 – 4400 RPM with a maximum torque of 300 Nm between 1600 – 3000 RPM. The diesel version of Audi A3 is powered by 2.0-litre TDI engine which outputs a power of 143 BHP between 3500-4000 RPM with a maximum torque of 320Nm at 1750-3000 RPM. The engine on Mercedes Benz CLA-Class is coupled with 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission while the engine on Audi A3 coupled with 6-Speed S-tronic transmission.
Mileage:
According to ARAI certifications, the fuel efficiency of Mercedes CLA-Class sedan petrol delivers a mileage of 15.04 kmpl while the Audi A3 delivers a mileage of 16.6 Kmpl. The Mercedes CLA-Class diesel version returns a decent mileage of 17.9 kmpl while the diesel version of Audi A3 returns a mileage of 20.38 Kmpl. Clearly, the Audi A3 Sedan outperforms the Mercedes CLA sedan in this section.
Price: (ex-showroom New Delhi)
The Mercedes CLA-Class 200 petrol costs Rs. 35 lakhs while the Audi A3 TFSI costs Rs. 28.95 lakhs. The diesel variant of Mercedes CLA-200 CDI costs in between Rs. 31.50 lakhs to Rs. 35.90 lakhs while the Audi A3 costs Rs. 22.95 to Rs. 32.66 lakh. Clearly, when it comes to pricing Audi A3 is cheaper when compared to Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Comparison Mercedes Benz CLA-Class vs Audi A3 – Diesel Variant
| Specifications | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Diesel | Audi A3 Diesel |
| Dimensions (in mm) | 4630 x 1777 x 1432 | 4456 x 1796 x 1416 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 2699 | 2637 |
| Ground Clearance (in mm) | 160 | 160 |
| Turning Radius (in m) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Kerb Weight (in Kg) | 1570 | 1340 |
| Engine (in L) | 2.2 4-cyl turbo | 2.0 4-cyl turbo |
| Power (in PS) | 136 @ 3600-4400 | 143 @ 4200-5100 |
| Torque (in Nm) | 300 @ 1600-3000 | 320 @ 1750-2500 |
| Transmission | 7-DCT | 6-DCT |
| Mileage (in kmpl) | 17.9 | 20.38 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (in L) | 50 | 50 |
| Boot Volume (in L) | 470 | 425 |
| Price (ex-Delhi) | 31.50 lakhs– 35.90 lakhs | 22.95 lakhs – 29.95 lakhs |
