Audi A3 vs. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
When comparing the Audi A3's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi A3's and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's specifications and ratings, the Audi A3 is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Pricing: A used 2022 Audi A3 ranges from $23,995 to $32,996 while a used 2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is priced between $27,894 to $36,922.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A3 loses 48.3 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class loses 40 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz A-Class retains 8.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A3’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class base engine makes 188 horsepower. The A3 is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 502 miles. The A-Class is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 473 miles. This gives the Audi A3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The A3 uses regular unleaded, and the A-Class uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz A-Class, a subcompact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Audi A3, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of rear leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Audi A3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$34,800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$46,042
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$27,300 - $76,200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$50,950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$33,950 - $92,500
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$28,636
Price Range:
$23,995 - $32,996
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$42,174
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$26,168 - $79,152
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
170
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
34,226
# Good or Great Deals:
34
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$32,449
Price Range:
$27,894 - $36,922
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$51,317
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$32,449 - $87,757
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
153
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
29,005
# Good or Great Deals:
30
Audi A3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
6.1 - 12.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
9.1 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 15.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
1.6 - 11
Audi A3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
26 out of / 36Ranking
31 out of / 36Ranking
33 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
36 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A3 Trim Levels
Premium 40 TFSI, Premium Plus 40 TFSI, Prestige 40 TFSI, quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro Prestige 40 TFSI
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Trim Levels
A 220, A 220 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 4800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
221 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 38 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 502 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
324 / 473 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
10.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
87.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
8.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3329 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
176.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3285 lbs
Width:
78.4 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
179.1 inches
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Atoll Blue Metallic / Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Manhattan Gray Metallic
Red
Tango Red Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Red
Patagonia Red Metallic
Silver
Iridium Silver Metallic
White
Digital White Metallic / Polar White
Gold
Rose Gold Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment Beige w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Santos Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Bahia Brown
Gray
Neva Grey/Black / Titanium Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black
