Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG CLA VS 2027 Audi S5

Both the AMG CLA and the S5 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, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 26 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG CLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The AMG CLA 45 S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (416 vs. 362) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG CLA 35 gets better fuel mileage than the S5 (22 city/29 hwy vs. 20 city/29 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the AMG CLA’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The S5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG CLA, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S5.

For better traction, the AMG CLA 45 S’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (255/35R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The AMG CLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The S5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The AMG CLA 45 S handles at .99 G’s, while the S5 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG CLA 45 S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S5 (24.1 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the AMG CLA’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the S5’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Mercedes AMG CLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The AMG CLA is 5.5 inches shorter than the S5, making the AMG CLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the S5, the AMG CLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The S5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG CLA’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.