2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 vs 2016 Audi A3
Comparing the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 and the 2016 Audi A3
When it comes to luxury performance sports coupes, Mercedes and Audi have always been competitive. Let's see whether the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 or 2016 Audi A3 comes out on top.
Power and Performance
Both the CLA 250 and the A3 are driven by an inline four-cylinder engine, but that is where the similarity ends. The Mercedes offers a 2.0-liter inline-four that kicks out 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a seven-speed automated manual transmission. The Audi A3's 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder only makes 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission.
Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel economy, Mercedes also wins the race. The CLA 250 nets you an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The Audi A3 simply cannot match up, offering only an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. You will make fewer trips to the gas station in the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250.
Active Intelligent Safety Features
In 2016, vehicles were just starting to get active intelligent safety features, but Mercedes-Benz was ahead of the game. The CLA 250 has systems like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping, drowsy-driver monitoring systems, and automatic emergency brakes. The A3 was more focused on things like speed-based power steering and electronic stability that were aimed at making the vehicle easier to handle.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)