Audi S3 Vs Mercedes CLA 250 Sport - Which Gives The Best Bang For The Buck?

A decade ago Japan made the best AWD performance sedans with small turbocharged engines. But now, the Germans are duking it, and we can't say we don't like what they've done with the segment. Not only are the S3 sedan and CLA 45 AMG fast, but they are also comfortable and have upmarket interiors.

There's a little problem with comparing the S3 sedan to the CLA 45, isn't there? The S3 may be more affordable, but it's 60 horsepower down and lacks some of the more exotic styling details.

But what if we turn the comparison upside down and ask Mercedes what they can offer for S3 money?

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Hawk - 7/31/2015 5:26:54 PM

-3 Boost

The BMW m235i kicks both their arses.

KoruKinshi - 8/1/2015 4:53:01 PM

+1 Boost

BMW = Inferior manufactured product & engines. Besides, the 45 ruins the M235i in every way.

On another note, this is a stupid comparison. You'd need a CLA 350 or even a 300 to exist to do a fair comparison.

cidflekken - 8/2/2015 1:20:22 AM

-1 Boost

Practically fully optioned, a US-spec CLA 250 with Sport Package Plus and almost every goody, including 4Matic and appearance options, gets to about $48k (base price for the CLA 250 with Sport Package Plus at 4Matic is about $39k). While a similarly-equipped S3 gets to around $52k (with its base price being $41k). So, you're paying about $4k for better performance from the S3. But you also get less style (subjectively speaking).

So, not sure what the German-spec CLA 250 Sport has that makes it start out more expensive than the S3, but the situation appears to be reversed in the US.