For life in the Fallbrook/Deluz area, you need a car that can handle everything from wide-open roads carving through the foothills to dense Southern California traffic -- all with style, luxury, comfort and excitement to spare. The ideal compact luxury sedan in this segment is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It's not only more affordable than rival cars from brands like Audi and BMW, it provides the best quality, performance and safety. We'll prove it to be below! We've compared the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class against its comparably-priced rival from Audi: The 2021 Audi A5.
The 2021 Audi A5 features a sportback body style with a hatchback rear design. By contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class retains the classic sports sedan shape and profile, for more premium, more executive look. It even comes with power-folding rear-view mirrors as a standard feature, for easier parking in tight city spaces. Such a feature isn't available at all on the Audi A5.
For a more aggressive, track-ready look, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class can also be equipped with the AMG body styling appearance package, black alloy wheels, carbon fiber rear spoiler and more.
Both these luxury sports sedans feature a convenient touchscreen multimedia system, complete with Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ technology to seamlessly sync your compatible smartphone. However, you also get a standard 12.3" digital dashboard screen in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class as standard, too. The large, multifunction screen dynamically adjusts according to your selected driving mode, with speedometer, tachometer, maps and more -- all right in the dashboard where it's most convenient. A similar system is available on the 2021 Audi A5 with upgrades, but entry-level models still feature an analogue gauge cluster with a smaller driver's display.
There's even an intuitive central controller in the center console of the 2021 C-Class which incorporates an intuitive rotary knob that makes it easier to operate the multimedia system while keeping your eyes on the road. The 2021 Audi A5 offers only touchscreen controls, and no center console controller.
Under the hood of an entry-level 2021 Audi A5 model, you get a 201-horsepower engine at the start of the lineup where the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class starts out with 255 horsepower for essentially the same price tag. An available 2.5L engine is an optional upgrade in the Audi A5 will cost you thousands more and provide about the same power as the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. And, the much more powerful C-Class is more fuel efficient than it's competitor from Audi.
But there's more to a confident, powerful drive than just engine power. That's why the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with a Selective Damping System suspension. The suspension reacts in real time to the road conditions and your current driving style -- for a comfortable cruise down the highway and better cornering and handling when you're ready to have a bit of fun. That's a system you can't get on any 2021 Audi A5 at all! You'd have to upgrade to the sport-tuned Audi S5 model to get that feature, a model with a starting MSRP that's more than $10,000 greater than that of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz KEYLESS GO® is a standard feature of every 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. With the key fob in your pocket or purse, the C-Class will detect its presence when you touch the door handles and unlock the vehicle. You can even start the engine without touching the key. It roars to life at the push of a button. Keyless entry and drive is yet another added cost upgrade on the 2021 Audi A5 sedan.
Furthermore, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class features comparable driver assist technology to the new Audi A5. Both models come standard with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, and can be equipped with a self-parking feature and adaptive cruise control. Both vehicles even offer a semi-autonomous traffic jam mode with stop-and-go support and steering support. However, you'll appreciate additional safety in the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class that includes ATTENTION ASSIST®, Crosswind Assist and Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning Assist. Clearly, the new C-Class makes Southern California traffic simple and safe to navigate.
At a starting MSRP of $41,600, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains the best value in the luxury compact sedan market. Its Audi A5 rival provides fewer standard convenience and technology features, a less powerful engine, a less sophisticated suspension set-up and simply can't compete with the quality and luxury that comes only from Mercedes-Benz. Step up to a new luxury car at Mercedes-Benz of Temecula today. We'll help you find the perfect 2021 Mercedes-Benz model for you.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|
2021 Audi A5 |
| $41,600 | Starting MSRP* | $41,800 |
| 255 | Standard Horsepower | 201 |
| 273 | Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 236 |
| Rear-Wheel Drive (AWD Available) | Standard Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| 23 MPG City / 35 MPG Highway | Fuel Economy | 24 MPG CIty / 31 MPG Highway |
| 9-Speed Automatic Transmission | Transmission | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| 5.7 Seconds | Standard 0-60 MPH Time | 6.4 Seconds |
| Standard | Adaptive Damping Suspension | Not Available |
| Standard | Keyless Entry & Drive | Available Upgrade |
| Standard | All-Digital Instrument Cluster | Available Upgrade |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|
|
| 2021 Audi A5 |
| $41,600 |
| Starting MSRP* |
| $41,800 |
| 255 |
| Standard Horsepower |
| 201 |
| 273 |
| Standard Torque (lb-ft) |
| 236 |
| Rear-Wheel Drive (AWD Available) |
| Standard Drivetrain |
| All-Wheel Drive |
| 23 MPG City / 35 MPG Highway |
| Fuel Economy |
| 24 MPG CIty / 31 MPG Highway |
| 9-Speed Automatic Transmission |
| Transmission |
| 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| 5.7 Seconds |
| Standard 0-60 MPH Time |
| 6.4 Seconds |
| Standard |
| Adaptive Damping Suspension |
| Not Available |
| Standard |
| Keyless Entry & Drive |
| Available Upgrade |
| Standard |
| All-Digital Instrument Cluster |
| Available Upgrade |
*Base MSRP excludes transportation and handling charges, destination charges, taxes, title, registration, preparation and documentary fees, tags, labor and installation charges, insurance, and optional equipment, products, packages and accessories. Actual vehicle price may vary by Dealer.
