Verdict
At RM440,990, the Audi A5 Sportback is RM68,898 below the RM509,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class, yet annual road tax is virtually level at RM372 versus RM376. The Mercedes is the clear performance choice: 421 hp, 500 Nm and 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h against 249 hp, 370 Nm and 5.6 seconds. But the Audi is 312 mm longer, has a 102 mm longer wheelbase and carries 480 litres versus 370 litres. Its 7.1 L/100 km rating also undercuts the Mercedes’ 8.3 L/100 km. For Malaysian buyers needing outright pace, the AMG earns its premium; for space and lower running figures, the Audi makes more sense.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want the larger 480-litre boot, 2,831 mm wheelbase and a 7.1 L/100 km rated fuel figure for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class if 421 hp, 500 Nm, a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and adaptive dampers matter more than luggage space and purchase cost.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class RM509,888.
- Power and torque: Audi 249 hp and 370 Nm; Mercedes 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 5.6 seconds; Mercedes 3.9 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: Audi 7.1 L/100 km; Mercedes 8.3 L/100 km.
- Wheelbase: Audi 2,831 mm; Mercedes 2,729 mm.
- Boot space: Audi 480 litres; Mercedes 370 litres.
A5 Sportback
- 480-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 7.1 L/100 km rated economy and 163 g/km CO2 figure.
- Rear single-zone air-con and a 58-litre fuel tank.
- 249 hp and 370 Nm trail the Mercedes’ 421 hp and 500 Nm.
- No Active Brake Assist, collision warning or auto parking; the Mercedes has all three.
- Passive sports suspension instead of AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers.
AMG A-Class
- 421 hp, 500 Nm and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers, Dynamic Select and AMG Performance Exhaust.
- Seven airbags, Active Brake Assist, auto parking and a head-up display.
- RM68,898 more expensive than the Audi.
- 370-litre boot is 110 litres smaller than the Audi’s 480 litres.
- 8.3 L/100 km rated economy and 189 g/km CO2 are higher than the Audi’s 7.1 L/100 km and 163 g/km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM440,990✓ | RM509,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| 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 and lift |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp at 5,000 rpm | 421 hp at 6,750 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 370 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 500 Nm at 5,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82.5 mm × 92.8 mm | 83 mm × 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 9 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km✓ | 8.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 270 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 163 g/km✓ | 189 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,412 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive dampers, Dynamic Select, AMG Performance Exhaust |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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 A5 Sportback & AMG A-Class for sale
A5 Sportback vs AMG A-Class FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class better?
The Audi A5 Sportback is better for lower purchase cost, luggage capacity and rated economy. The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is better if performance and driver-assistance equipment take priority, with 421 hp and a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class costs RM68,898 more than the Audi A5 Sportback.
Which one is quicker?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds versus 5.6 seconds for the Audi A5 Sportback. It also has 421 hp and 500 Nm, against 249 hp and 370 Nm.
