Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Audi A3 Sedan is the calmer ownership case: it is RM4,898 cheaper, carries a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and returns a rated 6.2 L/100 km. But the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan turns that small gap into a very different car. Its 302 hp, 400 Nm all-wheel-drive drivetrain reaches 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, versus 187 hp, 320 Nm and 7.3 seconds for the front-wheel-drive Audi. It also adds adaptive dampers, active safety assistance and a 360-degree camera. The Audi fights back with a 425-litre boot, five litres more space than the Mercedes.
Pick the Audi A3 Sedan if you want the lower purchase price, a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, rated 6.2 L/100 km consumption and a marginally larger 425-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan if 302 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time and stronger driver-assistance equipment matter more than the extra cost.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A3 Sedan RM338,990; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan RM343,888.
- Output: Audi A3 Sedan 187 hp and 320 Nm; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi A3 Sedan 7.3 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan 4.7 seconds.
- Driveline and transmission: Audi A3 Sedan front-wheel drive with seven-speed S tronic; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan all-wheel drive with eight-speed AMG…
- Wheelbase and boot: Audi A3 Sedan 2,636 mm and 425 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan 2,729 mm and 420 litres.
- Wheels and suspension: Audi A3 Sedan 17-inch wheels with comfort suspension; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan 19-inch wheels with AMG Ride Control adaptive…
A3 Sedan
- RM4,898 lower purchase price
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Rated fuel economy of 6.2 L/100 km and a 425-litre boot
- 187 hp and 320 Nm trail the Mercedes-Benz’s 302 hp and 400 Nm
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower
- Lacks the Mercedes-Benz’s all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, active brake assist and 360-degree camera
AMG A-Class Sedan
- 302 hp, 400 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time with 250 km/h top speed
- Adaptive dampers, blind-spot monitoring, active brake assist and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM4,898 more
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty is one year shorter
- 420-litre boot is five litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM338,990✓ | RM343,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372✓ | RM376 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 302 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic Transmission | AMG Speedshift 8G DCT |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 4.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,549 mm |
| Width | 1,816 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,425 mm | 1,411 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,535 kg | 1,570 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 425 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R17 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R17 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-Parallel-Spoke Style Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi Virtual Cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used A3 Sedan & AMG A-Class Sedan for sale
A3 Sedan vs AMG A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the Audi A3 Sedan or Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan is the better performance and equipment choice, with 302 hp, all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and active safety assistance. Choose the Audi A3 Sedan for lower cost, rated 6.2 L/100 km consumption and a longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan costs RM4,898 more than the Audi A3 Sedan.
Which sedan has the bigger boot?
The Audi A3 Sedan has the bigger boot at 425 litres, five litres ahead of the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan’s 420 litres. The Mercedes-Benz has the longer wheelbase, at 2,729 mm against 2,636 mm.
