Audi Announces Complete Pricing For 2015 Audi A3 Sedan - Cheaper Than Comparable Mercedes-Benz CLA - Should Mercedes-Benz Be Worried?

Isn't this kind of like asking if a buyer would choose an A6 over a CLS (granted the A6 has a price advantage)? Just because they are priced similarly doesn't mean they're competing for the same customer. If the buyer is single or a couple without children, then the likely choice might be the CLA. If the buyer is a small family, then the likely choice would be the A3. So, in many ways, the A3 automatically has the advantage due to its back seat space. The answer to any of this speculation could be seen in sales of the E vs. the CLS, the 5 vs. the 6/6GC, and the A6 vs the A7. Clearly, the most accommodating cars will win the most buyers in this day and age.

CLA has nothing to worry about here's why, consumers purchasing this car want to be noticed and seen as successful which is why they chose a CLA over a larger and more equipped Maxima, Altima, Camry, Accord, Impala/Malibu

The A3 blends in, and buyers at this price range are not looking to blend in, they pa the premium for a smaller car to look s if they've "arrived"

These are the young professionals who are dreaming and want the best, but don't quite have the bank account to support but aspire to greatness, and the CLA satisfies that.

That A3 while practical, most likely barely equipped, does not ignite dreams, and instead of saying "look at me", it says "I'm practical"...well so is a Camry, Jetta, Passat, Altima, and Malibu

A3 Better equipped*

I agree that buyers in this segment are likely not the ones who want to "blend in" with the crowd, but they also have certain expectations of a luxury brand. One of those expectations is quality that is far superior to that of a mainstream car like an Accord, Passat etc.

I'm not too sure they get that Mercedes-Benz S-class quality many of them think they will be getting with the three-pointed star. Obviously they don't expect the interior of a $150K car in a $30K car, but they do expect an interior that is up to par and many reviews have found that not to be the case of the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

While the A3 Sedan does blend in more, it provides a greater level of luxury equipment as standard (leather seating, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights) that better address the "expected luxury" requirement.

Time will tell but it will certainly be interesting to see what happens in this segment.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that both cars will be successful in their own right since, realistically, they're likely attracting buyers with disparate needs.

The only thing the CLA has going for it is the star. That's an awful lot, but when people start counting their own money, and which car they can get for the best deal, well the A3 is compelling. It is enormously better looking than the CLA, more roomy and the interior will be another Audi out of the park home run. With a much better engine (the 250 is junk in the C-Class and I cant imagine its "less noisy" in the smaller CLA) a leather interior standard, and quattro all wheel drive it will take sales away from the homely CLA. Again, when people spend their own cash, they want something in return and the plus's will be greater in the A3. Do you want a star "that" bad?

Anyone that says the A3 will cannibalize sales of the A4 is a moron. If that is the case then the CLA will cannibalize the C-Class, and 2 Series, the 3 Series. There is no logic for that, other than all 3 (C/A4/3Series) will continue up market and fully equipped will be over $50K and the 3 Series is already there. All 3 of these will fill the vacated market segment of their sibling.

Which begs the question about the 2-Series BMW. I think each car will appeal to different buyers even though they will likely be cross shopped. Audi's have their fans, BMW, MB etc... Also, as all 3 companies are fielding lower end cars they are acting as a united front, protecting each company's cache and prestige. The key to this strategy is taking sales not from each other but from other less prestigious marques. This will likely be accomplished....

I'm surprised that no one has commented on the cheap, crappy, dual clutch transmissions in these cars. My test drive of the new CLA only repeated my experience of a test drive of a VW with dual clutch of a a couple of years ago. Weird shifting behavior. We get these only because they are cheaper to produce than a traditional auto. No A3 (or CLA) for me till they are available with a decent transmission. And, no A4 without Quattro because of the cheap CVT they force on you. We do have alternatives.

The differences in quality between the two interiors is amazing. Just looking at the photos shows the 2015 Audi A3 Sedan's interior is significantly higher quality than the Mercedes-Benz CLA's

2015 Audi A3 Sedan Interior (Official Photos from www.audiusa.com):

http://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-a3-sedan

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Interior (Official Photos from www.mbusa.com):

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/gallery/class-CLA/bodystyle-CPE#layout=/vehicles/gallery&class=CLA&bodystyle=CPE&waypoint=gallery-stack&gallery=UNIQUE-GALLERY-ID|1|1

That's YOUR perception, Nuttie. And the fact that you are constantly comparing the two…make that, incessantly comparing the two, says alot. Stop feeling so threatened….and insecure.

I just wish Audi would step up their game in their external styling. “Inoffensive yet uninspiring” comes to mind. On yeah, “...with gimmicky headlight styling and a gaping hole for a grill.”