2027 Audi A3 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos
At Audi Cincinnati East
Audi A3 VS Mercedes-Benz CLA
| 2027 Audi A3 Premium | VS | 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 |
| $40,700 ✓ | MSRP* | $43,900 |
| 201 ✓ | Horsepower | 188 |
| 6.0 seconds ✓ | 0-60 Time | 7.1 seconds |
| All-wheel drive ✓ | Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| 3-zone ✓ | Climate Control | Single zone, dual-zone optional |
| Standard ✓ | Leather Seats | Optional |
| Standard ✓ | Wireless Charger | Not Available |
| Standard ✓ | Cross Traffic Warning | Not Available |
| Standard ✓ | Parking Sensors | Not Available |
| 36 months, 30,000 miles ✓ | Included Maintenance | None |
The Audi A3 starts off with a bit of a price advantage over the CLA, but the difference improves as we go through the list of standard equipment. It starts with the fact that the A3 has more horsepower. It might not seem like enough of a difference to matter, but that small horsepower translates to more than a full second faster from 0 to 60, and you’ll definitely feel that when merging onto the highway. The CLA also doesn’t come with all-wheel drive, which makes the price advantage the Audi A3 enjoys that much bigger. Or it would, if it weren’t for the fact that the CLA doesn’t even offer AWD as an option, something of a rarity in this segment.
The A3 comes better equipped than the CLA, starting with the startling difference in climate control systems. Most vehicles in this price range have at least dual-zone climate control. The A3 goes a bit further, but the CLA comes with just a single zone, with dual-zone climate control available as part of a $2,250 option package for the already more expensive Mercedes. Leather seats are a similar story, standard on the A3, but a $1,450 option on the CLA. Then there are the features that aren’t even available on the CLA, like a wireless phone charger, a rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The lack of parking sensors on the CLA is unusual, but Mercedes does offer a 360 camera and an automatic parking feature as extra-cost options. Audi also offers these options, but those who don’t want them do at least still have conventional sensors. And lastly, Audi offers an above-average period of included maintenance with the A3, while Mercedes offers nothing at all.
*Price excludes $1,395 destination, taxes, title, other options and dealer changes. Dealer sets actual price.