Compare the2026 Audi S3VS 2026 Mercedes AMG CLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG CLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the S3 and AMG CLA have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG CLA’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The S3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG CLA.

Both the S3 and the AMG CLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The S3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the S3 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG CLA.

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the AMG CLA’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (328 vs. 302) than the AMG CLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the S3 gets better mileage than the AMG CLA:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG CLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The S3 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the AMG CLA (14.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the S3’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLA:

For better maneuverability, the S3’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the AMG CLA’s (36.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The S3 is 7.4 inches shorter than the AMG CLA, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The S3 has .9 inches more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLA.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S3 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The S3 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The AMG CLA has no towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the AMG CLA.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S3 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield, the S3 has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG CLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi A3/S3/RS 3 outsold the Mercedes CLA by 8% during 2025.