2027 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2027 Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 28 MPG
The 2027 Audi A3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,116 a year to fuel (28 MPG), versus $3,703 for the 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (16 MPG). That's roughly $1,587 a year, or about $7,935 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Audi A3
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Side by side
| Audi A3 | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $3,703 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 16 MPG |
| 24 MPG | City | 13 MPG |
| 33 MPG | Highway | 20 MPG |
| 87 cu ft | Passenger volume | 76 cu ft |
| 8 cu ft | Cargo volume | 6 cu ft |
| 322 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 558 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 3/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 3/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz SL-Class across model years
- Audi A3
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Audi A3 has more passenger space (87 vs. 76 cu ft); the Audi A3 has more cargo space (8 vs. 6 cu ft).
Among 19 2027 subcompact cars, the Audi A3 ranks 6th and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 18th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2027 Audi A3 or the 2027 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi A3. The Audi A3 is rated 28 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 16 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2027 Audi A3 vs. the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,116 for the Audi A3 and $3,703 for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A3, with 8 cu ft of luggage volume versus 6 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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