Audi RS5 vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

What's the difference?

VS
Audi RS5
Audi RS5

2021 price

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2022 price

Summary

2021 Audi RS5
2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Twin Turbo V6, 2.9L

Twin Turbo 6, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
9.4L/100km (combined)

9.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

5
Dislikes
  • Tight rear seat in Coupe
  • Gearbox can feel fidgety at speed

  • Compromised rear-seat room
  • Pricier than rivals
  • Unergonomic steering wheel controls
2021 Audi RS5 Summary

Audi's A5 Coupe and Sportback have always been good looking cars. Yes, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but seriously, just look at one and tell me it's not handsome.

Happily, the just-updated RS5 doesn't just build on the looks of its more sedate sibling, but on the performance, too, adding near-supercar speed to those supermodel looks. 

Sounds like a pretty good match, right? Let's find out, shall we?

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2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Summary

Mercedes-Benz loves to fill a niche. This is the company, after all, that has a coupe version of its GLC and GLE SUVS, four-door coupes ranging in size from the CLA to the AMG GT 4-door, and enough electric vehicles to make Tesla jealous.

The nichest of all though, might the CLS, which has been updated for the 2022 model year.

Positioned above the E-Class but below the S-Class in the line-up as a sporty sedan for customers after a blend of style, technology and performance, the new CLS is available in just one engine now, while styling and equipment have also been tweaked in the update.

Can the CLS earn its place in the Mercedes line-up or is it destined to be a bit player amongst more popular models?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Audi RS5 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

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