Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: which is better?
The Audi A4 vs. Mercedes C-Class is a big one – which of these premium saloons comes out on top?
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If your biggest problem is picking between the Mercedes C-Class vs. Audi A4, you're in a pretty nice spot.
Both these cars are prime examples of premium icons that have a dedicated fanbase on UK roads.
They’re comfortable and stylish, with peppy engines and a handy dose of practicality that makes justifying either one a lot easier.
But they’re both so good and tick so many of the same boxes that it can be hard to make the final decision. So how will you ever decide?
Here’s how: read our Audi A4 vs. Mercedes C-Class review to get the details on both cars.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class
Our guide will answer:
Is the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class better to drive?
Does the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class have better tech?
Which car has the better styling?
Is the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class more reliable?
What are the Audi A4 vs. Mercedes C-Class dimensions?
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Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: styling
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We can pretty much guarantee one of the main draws of the A4 and C-Class is the premium brand styling. Both cars are plush and luxurious, with a unique brand flare separating the two.
The A4 feels more aggressive, with a massive grille at the front and detailed headlights. It’s the broad front end that makes it stand out against the C-Class.
The C-Class, in comparison, feels slightly more elegant. It’s low, with a long, sleek shape that feels less chunky than the A4.
This is especially true if you choose the A4 Black Edition trim. This one looks particularly menacing, with blacked-out styling all around and a unique body kit.
The C-Class is available in more body styles – a saloon, estate, coupe and convertible. With the A4, you can choose from estate (Avant), saloon and convertible models.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: what are they like to drive?
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You’re driving a premium car like an Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class so, just like with the styling, you know you’re in for a good ride.
Engines are abundant across both cars. We won’t list them all (we’d be here all day) but we recommend the Audi A4 with the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine for town driving (150hp), or the 45 TFSI with 245hp if you want to feel that Audi power.
In the C-Class line-up, we fancy the 2.0-litre C300 (255hp), or the 1.5-litre C200 with 204hp for a bit less power but a bit better fuel economy.
You’ll be comfortable in both cars – the cabins are quiet and feel executive, and both have great driving positions and solid driving dynamics.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: interior and technology
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They say it’s what's on the inside that counts, and there can be no complaints about either car here.
The A4 feels solid and classy inside, with soft materials where you want them and hard-wearing plastics where you need them. The 2019 facelift bought a larger screen, and there’s the option of the Virtual Cockpit for even more screenage.
That doesn’t mean you’re going to be disappointed by the C-Class – we rate it in all areas. The interior resembles that of the coveted S-Class, with a massive 11.9-inch portrait screen in the centre of the dash, and a digital instrument display.
Choose the top-spec Premium Plus Merc and you’ll get a flashy Burmester sound system and a heads-up display, while the top-spec Audi S-Line has sporty upgrades like a flat-bottomed steering wheel and sports seats.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: bootspace and practicality
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If you want to justify an A4 or C-Class as a family car or daily driver, it can be helpful to have a spacious boot.
The A4 Saloon has an impressive 480-litre boot, while the estate Avant model has 495 litres.
The C-Class has a bit more variation for boot size as there are more body styles to choose from. The estate gets 460 litres, 455 litres in the saloon, or 400 litres in the coupe.
As you’d expect, both convertible versions sacrifice storage space for the folding roof, and you’ll get 315 litres in the A4 and 360 litres in the C-Class.
Both cars are spacious and comfortable inside, but we’d always recommend an estate options of both these cars if you want the most room.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: safety and reliability
So, they drive well, look great, and are packed with tech – but are they reliable?
Both the A4 and C-Class have a pretty solid reputation for dependability. With the premium price tag comes premium parts, and those are built to last. That does mean they’ll both cost more to maintain than a budget car though.
Both cars also get a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The Mercedes was tested in 2022 and the Audi in 2015, so the A4’s rating has expired, but we expect it to perform well next time it’s tested.
Each of these premium saloons get a raft of safety tech as you’d expect. The C-Class brings lane keep assistance, blind spot monitoring, and an Attention Assist system, while the A4 has features like adaptive cruise control and pre-sense city braking.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: dimensions
Audi A4 (saloon)
Width: 1,847mm
Height: 1,427mm
Length: 4,762mm
Boot: 480 litres (952 litres with the seats down)
Mercedes C-Class (saloon)
Width: 1,810mm
Height: 1,369mm
Length: 4,691mm
Boot: 455 litres (1,335 litres)
Verdict: Audi A4 vs Mercedes C-Class: Which should you buy?
It’s a tough call to make – which one wins your heart when it comes to the Audi A4 vs. Mercedes C-Class?
You might find that your decision is made purely on whether you prefer the Audi or Merc aesthetic. They’re both good looking cars, but we do think they have different vibes when it comes to styling.
Interiors are similar as well in the sense that they’re both thoroughly modern and plush. You’ll be comfy in either cabin, but the A4 does have a slightly larger boot when comparing the same body types.
Read our Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class reviews to learn more.