Verdict
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA asks RM527,888; that RM188,898 gap brings 421 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive against the Audi’s 187 hp, 320 Nm and front-wheel drive. The AMG reaches 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, 3.2 seconds ahead. It is also 206 mm longer and 183 mm wider, so the A3 is the less cumbersome city sedan. Audi counters with a claimed 6.2 L/100 km figure and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, versus two years for the AMG.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if RM188,898 saved, a claimed 6.2 L/100 km and five years of unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if you want 421 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888.
- Power and torque: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp and 320 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A3 Sedan 7.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 4.1 seconds.
- Driveline and gearbox: Audi A3 Sedan front-wheel drive with seven speeds; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA all-wheel drive with eight speeds.
- Size and boot: Audi A3 Sedan is 4,495 mm long with a 425-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is 4,701 mm long with a 460-litre boot.
- Warranty: Audi A3 Sedan gets five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA gets two years unlimited mileage.
A3 Sedan
- RM188,898 cheaper.
- Claimed 6.2 L/100 km fuel economy.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the AMG’s 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.2 seconds slower.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control listed.
AMG CLA
- 421 hp, 500 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 4.1-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and 360-degree camera.
- RM188,898 more expensive.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty is three years shorter.
- At 1,999 mm wide, it is 183 mm wider than the Audi.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM527,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM376 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm | 421 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 83 mm × 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,701 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,999 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,413 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | AMG Ride Control, Adaptive dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-Speaker 225W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used A3 Sedan & AMG CLA for sale
A3 Sedan vs AMG CLA FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA is decisively quicker and better equipped for driver assistance, with 421 hp, all-wheel drive and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time. The Audi A3 Sedan is the rational buy for its far lower price, claimed 6.2 L/100 km and five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM188,898 more than the Audi A3 Sedan: RM527,888 versus RM338,990.
Which is easier to place in town?
The Audi A3 Sedan is easier to place on paper. It is 4,495 mm long and 1,816 mm wide, versus 4,701 mm and 1,999 mm for the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA.
