Audi A8 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
What's the difference?

Audi A8

—

2023 price

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

$66,500 - $91,300

2026 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2023 Audi A8

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

5.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Refinement
Quality
Value

Refinement
Efficiency
Safety

Dislikes

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

Pricey servicing
Modest road feel
No physical spare tyre

2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

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2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Summary

Mercedes-Benz has shifted its CLA compact coupe-style sedan from support player to headline act with the introduction of this all-new, third-generation version.

It exemplifies the German giant’s multi-powertrain approach with an expansion of the local line-up from two pure-combustion variants to a five-model range comprising three hybrid and two pure-electric options.

CarsGuide was invited to sample the hybrid version of the newcomer (the EVs arrive in July), so stay with us to see if this sleek four-door is your kind of premium European compact sedan.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Audi A8 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Verdict

The Audi A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Verdict

The broadening of the CLA’s scope in this third-gen version puts it a step ahead of key rivals and raises the compact sedan’s prominence in the three-pointed star’s local line-up. Its combination of quality design, performance and efficiency is compelling. And we’ll drive the battery-electric version as soon as it lands.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Audi A8 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A8 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
What's the difference?