Verdict
At RM338,990, the Audi A3 Sedan costs RM188,898 less than the RM527,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA, yet brings a 425-litre boot and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The Mercedes turns that gap into serious pace: 421 hp and 500 Nm drive all four wheels to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, against 187 hp, 320 Nm and 7.3 seconds. It also adds autonomous braking, steering lane correction and a 360-degree camera. The Audi is the less costly ownership case, helped by its quoted 6.2 L/100 km consumption; the AMG is for buyers who will use its performance and hardware.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if RM188,898 saved, a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and quoted 6.2 L/100 km consumption matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA if you want 421 hp, all-wheel drive, a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time and a fuller driver-assistance suite.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA RM527,888.
- Power and torque: Audi 187 hp and 320 Nm; Mercedes 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 7.3 seconds; Mercedes 4.1 seconds.
- Driveline: Audi front-wheel drive; Mercedes all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Audi 425 litres; Mercedes 460 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi five years/unlimited mileage; Mercedes two years/unlimited mileage.
A3 Sedan
- RM188,898 lower purchase price.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Quoted fuel consumption of 6.2 L/100 km.
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the Mercedes' 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Mercedes' all-wheel drive.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or 360-degree camera.
AMG CLA
- 421 hp, 500 Nm and a 4.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select.
- Autonomous braking, steering lane correction and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM188,898 more.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus the Audi's five years.
| 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 | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 83 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 better for performance and active safety, with 421 hp, all-wheel drive and autonomous braking. The Audi A3 Sedan is the more sensible choice if its lower price, five-year warranty and quoted 6.2 L/100 km consumption matter most.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA costs RM188,898 more than the Audi A3 Sedan.
Which car is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA reaches 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, 3.2 seconds ahead of the Audi A3 Sedan's 7.3-second time.
