Audi A5 F5 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA C118

Audi A5

F5 · 2016 – 2024

The second-generation A5 (F5), on MLB Evo.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

C118 · 2019 – 2026

The second-generation CLA on the MFA2 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A5

Pick the A5 for an elegant, refined coupé with the comfort and tech of the A4.

Best engine: The 40 TFSI (petrol) or 40 TDI (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Pick the CLA for coupe styling with MBUX technology and efficient engines in a premium compact 4-door coupe.

Best engine: The CLA 200 (petrol) or CLA 200 d / CLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs M282 CLA 200 · Petrol

	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Power	190 hp Winner	163 hp
Torque	320 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,3 s Winner	8,5 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	229 km/h
Power-to-weight	124,6 hp/t Winner	109,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	133 g/km Winner	139 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Boot	465 L Winner	460 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.280 L Winner	1.240 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,73 m
Length	4,73 m	4,69 m
Ground clearance	11,5 cm	10,4 cm
Turning circle	11,5 m	11,0 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	1.900 kg Winner	1.500 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A5	Mercedes-Benz CLA
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 40/45 TFSI e PHEV	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (DSG)	7-speed 7G-DCT
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6d-TEMP
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A5

S tronic (DSG) needs maintenance on early cars
AdBlue/SCR issues on 2.0 TDI diesels
Early MMI infotainment quirks

Mercedes-Benz CLA

M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)

Pros

Audi A5

Elegant coupé styling
Refined, composed ride (quattro)
Efficient, torquey EA288 diesel

Mercedes-Benz CLA

MBUX dual-screen with voice control and modern styling
Efficient OM654 diesel (CLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm, ~4.3 L/100 km)
MFA2 platform shared with the A-Class W177, with optional 4MATIC
CLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

Audi A5

Firm ride on S line / big wheels
Limited rear headroom (coupé)

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Low roofline limits rear headroom
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips

Driving experience

Audi A5

Stylish, comfortable and easy to drive quickly. The A5 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting, rides well, and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions are efficient; quattro adds strong traction and a more planted feel, especially on the 2.0 and 3.0 engines. The 2.0 TFSI is smooth and willing, the 2.0 TDI is the economical distance choice, and the S5 3.0 V6 adds genuine pace. The S tronic is quick; the tiptronic smooth. It is a polished, style-led coupe/sportback that prioritises comfort and looks over outright driver involvement.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Comfortable, quiet and far more grown-up than the C117. The C118 rides with better isolation and body control, steers accurately, and feels closer to a proper Mercedes inside. Front-drive versions are easy; 4MATIC adds traction in poor conditions. The M282/M260 petrols are smooth and eager, the OM654 diesel is the long-distance pick, and the 250 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The dual-clutch is smoother than before, though still occasionally hesitant at low speed. It is a much better all-rounder than the first CLA, with the same coupé styling and fewer of the compromises.