Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz A45
What's the difference?

Audi A7

—

2019 price

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Mercedes-Benz A45

$49,900 - $69,800

2020 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2019 Audi A7

2020 Mercedes-Benz A45

By Matt Campbell

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.3L/100km (combined)

8.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Glorious to behold
Surprising value
Great safety kit

310kW from a four cylinder!
Outstanding performance, but not spine destroying
Hatch practicality

Dislikes

Launching with top-spec petrol only
Still some options to pick
Some tech quibbles on launch

Rear head- and legroom limited
Looks a bit too low-key without the aero pack
Can be thirsty

2019 Audi A7 Summary

Audi is known as a design-led brand, and arguably no model in the line-up embodies that ethos more than the Audi A7 Sportback.

This all-new version of Audi's largest swoopy five-door hatchback takes the concept of the original first-generation version and, rather than reinventing the idea, reimagines it with a more modern and even more style-focused look, inside and out.

And it's a very convincing execution, indeed.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz A45 Summary

Driving the first-generation Mercedes-AMG A 45 in 2013 was an intense, noisy, brutal experience and I loved every bone-shaking, ear-bleeding moment of it.

But I’m older now, married and have children, and while this is also an intense, noisy, brutal experience I now prefer cars to be less like a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week continuous cage fight. So, I was surprised to find the new-generation A45 S has grown up a bit, too.

So, like me, is the new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ not as quick as it used to be, and does it have a dad bod, now, too? Far from it. If anything, it’s matured into the serious weapon of a hot hatch it was always supposed to be.

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Deep dive comparison

2019 Audi A7 2020 Mercedes-Benz A45

Verdict

The Audi A7 is a really likeable car, one that is heavily focused on style but also emanates substance. The 55 TFSI model will appeal to many, but my initial impression is that the best buy in the range could well be the entry-level 45 TFSI. I can't wait to sample it sometime in 2019.

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 4Matic+ may have grown up a bit in that it’s not as noisy or uncomfortable as the first-generation version which arrived in 2013, But if anything, its more portent than ever. Superb Mercedes-AMG craftmanship, outstanding performance and good value as far as bang for your buck goes.

Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz A45 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz A45
What's the difference?