A5 vs C-Class
It’s Audi against Mercedes-Benz in the compact luxury car class, and the A5 and the C-Class are the models carrying each flag. Neither car runs away with this one; most of the differences are small enough to shrug off.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A5 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range C-Class wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.6
- Engine & Performance6.7
- Fuel Economy & Range7.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The C-Class has better fuel economy
Only a little separates them: 29 mpg on the C-Class, 26 mpg on the A5. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The A5 has 13 hp more power
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the A5 (268 hp versus 255 hp). The A5’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The C-Class has better city fuel economy
The C-Class gets a small bonus on fuel economy (city), with 25 mpg against the A5’s 22 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The C-Class has better highway fuel economy
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the C-Class leads 35 mpg to 31 mpg. The C-Class uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
A5 leads
On engine & performance, the A5 comes out slightly ahead. The A5 answers with 13 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. In short, the A5 is the better-equipped car for engine & performance.
Total system output
A5: 268 hp C-Class: 255 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
C-Class leads
In the fuel economy & range category, the C-Class isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The C-Class scores with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. If this section decides it for you, choose the C-Class.
Fuel economy (combined)
A5: 26 mpg C-Class: 29 mpg The C-Class uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (city)
A5: 22 mpg C-Class: 25 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the C-Class has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
The space & practicality section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the off-road & towing section. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
This section is descriptive. The A5 and the C-Class list different components for safety & tech, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 268 hp (winner) | 255 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | RWD (4MATIC AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | 29 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 25 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 35 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A5 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (268 hp vs 255 hp)
- you prefer staying with Audi
Choose the C-Class if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (29 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (25 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (35 mpg vs 31 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A5 or the C-Class?
For most people, the C-Class is the stronger choice, unless you specifically want 13 hp more power, where the A5 has the edge.
Executive Summary
Whenever Audi and Mercedes-Benz go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the A5 and the C-Class are no exception. To me, the standout is that the C-Class offers better fuel economy. And the C-Class doesn’t stop there; it also offers better highway fuel economy. In fairness to the A5, 13 hp more power is a genuine strength.
I think of the A5 as the one for engine & performance and the C-Class as the one for fuel economy & range.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the C-Class, unless what you want most is 13 hp more power.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.