Audi S3 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
What's the difference?

Audi S3

$73,980 - $98,888

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$86,800 - $199,335

2025 price

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Aston Martin Vanquish

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Summary

2025 Audi S3

2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

By Emily Agar

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.9L/100km (combined)

1.7L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Electric range

100 km

Battery capacity

28.60 kWh

Seating

Likes

Athletic and sporty in all the right places
Improved engine outputs
Gorgeous cabin space

Looks
Performance
Safety

Dislikes

Tiny back seat
Missing some premium features
Lots of road noise

No spare tyre
Steep service pricing
Modest boot

2025 Audi S3 Summary

In a world where car upgrades often feel like saying, “Can I upsize that?”, it’s refreshing to hop into the updated Audi S3 Sportback.

The flagship RS 3 may still be the holy grail of hot hatch dreams, but with boosted engine outputs and upgraded tech, the S3 is stepping up.

Is the S3 Sportback the smarter pick over pricier rivals? It delivers serious performance and polish without stretching into RS 3 territory. With fierce competition in the segment, let’s see what this contender brings to the table.

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2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Summary

You like performance, love a bit of luxury and fancy a traditional sedan. The budget is healthy and there’s a surprising amount of choice. But Mercedes-AMG believes it’s created the car that perfectly answers your new-car brief.

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a fresh expression of an established high-performance sedan formula mixing internal-combustion power with electric punch and all-wheel drive.

We were invited to its local launch, so stay with us to see if this newcomer is ready to fill that primo European performance car shaped space in your garage.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi S3 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Verdict

The updated Audi S3 Sportback is a fun-sized dynamo with impressive outputs and athletic road manners. It’s missing a few premium features, but its compact size paired with a gutsy engine makes it a compelling option for drivers who don’t want to compromise on performance (just space).

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a superb blend of high-tech hybrid muscle and cossetting top-end luxury. Value is competitive, it looks (and feels) the business, despite the conventional sedan configuration it’s surprisingly practical (except for the modest boot), fuel-efficiency is a key benefit and safety is stellar. The ownership proposition is okay for the category but that’s not top of mind when an enticing series of corners ranges into view. It’s an impressive package.

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

Audi S3 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi S3 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
What's the difference?