A5 vs CLA
In the compact luxury car class, the A5 and the CLA are natural rivals. Where the A5 shines on engine & performance, the CLA counters on fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A5 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range CLA wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.6
- Engine & Performance4.4
- Fuel Economy & Range8.4
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 A5 has 47 hp more power
Put simply, the A5 is far ahead here: 268 hp compared with 221 hp. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The CLA has better fuel economy
The CLA’s 30 mpg leaves the A5’s 26 mpg well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The CLA uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The CLA has better city fuel economy
Not a close call. The CLA lists 26 mpg and the A5 lists 22 mpg. That’s a substantial gap. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The CLA has better highway fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 36 mpg against 31 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the CLA. The CLA uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
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The A5 has 37 lb-ft more torque
The gap on torque is slim (295 lb-ft against 258 lb-ft), yet it tips toward the A5. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
A5 leads
In this area the A5 has a lead the CLA can’t close. The A5 scores with 47 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the A5.
Total system output
A5: 268 hp CLA: 221 hp The A5’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
A5: 295 lb-ft CLA: 258 lb-ft The A5’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
CLA leads
The CLA clearly takes the fuel economy & range round. On its side, the CLA has better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. If fuel economy & range is your priority, the CLA is the car to pick.
Fuel economy (combined)
A5: 26 mpg CLA: 30 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
A5: 22 mpg CLA: 26 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the CLA starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on space & practicality; the numbers are close throughout. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. Net result on off-road & towing: level.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A5 | CLA |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 268 hp (winner) | 221 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (winner) | 258 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 8-speed dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | FWD (4MATIC AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A5 | CLA |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 26 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 36 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A5 | CLA |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A5 | CLA |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A5 | CLA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 221 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (295 lb-ft vs 258 lb-ft of torque)
- you already know your way around Audi’s products
Choose the CLA if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (30 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (26 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (36 mpg vs 31 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A5 or the CLA?
There’s no single right answer. The A5 leads on engine & performance and the CLA on fuel economy & range.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Audi or Mercedes-Benz. I only care that you end up with the right one of the A5 and the CLA. The A5 earns my vote first and foremost with 47 hp more power. On the other side, the CLA brings better fuel economy, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
Your priorities do the choosing here: engine & performance points to the A5, fuel economy & range to the CLA.
My pick: it depends. Go for the A5 if engine & performance comes first for you, or the CLA if fuel economy & range does.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.