Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer able to charge at home or work, the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric is the clear numbers-led choice: its 85 kWh battery is rated for 748 km, its single motor makes 268 hp and 335 Nm, and it reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. It also costs RM64,102 less. The Audi A3 Sedan answers with a 425-litre boot versus 405 litres, a 240 km/h top speed and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. But its 187 hp petrol engine, 7.3-second sprint and six airbags leave it behind the CLA on performance and active safety.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you need the larger 425-litre boot, a space-saver spare tyre and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if you can use EV charging and want 268 hp, 748 km of rated range, eight airbags and markedly stronger driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric RM274,888.
- Performance: A3 Sedan 187 hp, 320 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds; CLA Electric 268 hp, 335 Nm and 6.7 seconds.
- Size: A3 Sedan is 4,495 mm long with a 2,636 mm wheelbase; CLA Electric is 4,723 mm long with a 2,790 mm wheelbase.
- Luggage space: A3 Sedan 425 litres; CLA Electric 405 litres.
- Safety: A3 Sedan has six airbags; CLA Electric has eight airbags plus autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring.
- Top speed: A3 Sedan 240 km/h; CLA Electric 210 km/h.
A3 Sedan
- 425-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 240 km/h top speed.
- Costs RM64,102 more.
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.7 seconds.
- Six airbags and no autonomous braking or blind-spot monitoring.
CLA Electric
- 268 hp, 335 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 85 kWh battery with 748 km rated range; 11 kW AC and 320 kW DC charging.
- Eight airbags, 360-degree camera and Park Assist.
- 405-litre boot is 20 litres smaller.
- 210 km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is one year shorter.
What the A3 Sedan has over the CLA Electric
What the CLA Electric has over the A3 Sedan
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The CLA Electric's wheelbase is 154 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990 | RM274,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM260✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,460/mo | RM2,805/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,127 | RM7,395✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM2,468 | RM1,010✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM12.34 | RM5.05✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM59,832 | RM43,323✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 7.7 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 20 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 335 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 85 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 748 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 320 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Two-speed Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | Two-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 2 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,723 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,980 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 405 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 225/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 255/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | — |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 on Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED with Starry Motif |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | 64-colour Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging |
| 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, with Park Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used A3 Sedan & CLA Electric for sale
Our reviews & guides
A3 Sedan vs CLA Electric FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric better?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric is the better pick if charging suits your routine, with 268 hp, 335 Nm, a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 748 km rated range and more active safety equipment. Choose the Audi A3 Sedan for its larger boot, spare tyre and longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A3 Sedan costs RM338,990 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric costs RM274,888, so the Audi is RM64,102 more expensive.
Can the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric use a 400V DC charger?
No. The CLA Electric uses an 800V architecture and has no 400V DC charger compatibility. Its quoted charging rates are 11 kW AC and 320 kW DC.
How long does charging take?
The CLA Electric's 85.0 kWh battery takes about 7.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 320 kW peak.
