Car Prices Blogs


Luxury Sedan Comparison: Audi A7 versus Mercedes CLS

June 18th, 2012

The Audi A7 and the Mercedes CLS would have to be two of the most desirable road cars in the market today. Both vehicles are expensive because they are loaded with technology and premium cabin materials for a truly opulent driving experience.

But what sets the Audi A7 and the Mercedes CLS apart from other expensive luxury sedans is their body shape: it looks normal when viewed from the front, but the sloping roofline and sleek overall shape resembles that of a sporty two-door coupe.

The Audi A7 and the Mercedes CLS both have four proper doors, but they can only seat four people. They cater to a very special niche of buyers who want a sleeker, sportier, and more stylish luxury car. If you can afford it, there is no reason why you shouldn’t look into the Audi A7 and the Mercedes CLS.

Audi A7

It is hard to distinguish the A7 from other vehicles in the Audi lineup, particularly the A6. But the A7 is lower and wider than the A6, and it has the elegant sloping roof line that tapers to the back to form a hatch-like trunk, making the car look dynamically correct. Prices for the base model Audi A7 starts at $59,250.

Engine

The Audi A7 is motivated by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 310hp. Power is channeled to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The smaller and lighter engine gives the Audi A7 more agility when driven hard as it can turn abruptly without losing composure. The engine is also fuel efficient as it can return an EPA average of 18/28 MPG.

Safety

The Audi A7 comes standard with traction/stability control, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, front knee airbags, and side curtain airbags.

Mercedes CLS

The Mercedes CLS is based on the Mercedes E-class luxury sedan, but it was given a more attractive shape and steeply sloping roof as well. Think of the Mercedes CLS not as an E-Class Coupe but as a luxury car that has the performance potential and exclusivity of a super car. Prices for the base model CLS550 starts at $71,300.

Engine

The Mercedes CLS comes standard with a 4.7-liter V8 engine with 402hp. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Performance is the highlight of the Mercedes CLS as it can rush from 0 to 60 MPH in an estimated 4.6 seconds compared to the 5.4 seconds of the Audi A7. Fuel economy suffers due to the nature of the high-performance V8 engine, returning an EPA average of 16/24 MPG.

Safety

The Mercedes CLS is equipped with traction and stability control, front side and knee airbags, and full curtain airbags, including the Mercedes emergency telematics system.

Conclusion

From an economical standpoint, the Audi A7 makes better financial sense because it offers the same looks and intent as the Mercedes CLS. The smaller V6 engine might hinder all out performance, but the A7 performs admirably in real world driving situations. The Mercedes CLS is more lavish and more comfortable than the Audi A7. The larger V8 engine is also more powerful and incredibly refined.

If you want stunning looks and impressive performance, choose the Audi A7. If you still prefer traditional luxury with more modern looks, the Mercedes CLS is right for you.