Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs Audi A7 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 30 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 4 measured categories, the Audi A7 leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Subcompact Cars · 123 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi A7 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 26 mpg | 28 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 38 mpg ✓ | 36 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,600 | $2,550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 126 g/mi ✓ | 215 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI, 3.0 | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8) | Automatic 9-spd, Automatic 7-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Premium, Premium and Electricity |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2025 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 15 | 123 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class dimensions and size
The Audi A7 is 7.1 inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class on a wheelbase 2.4 inches longer, and 275.6 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Audi A7 (2025) | Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7 in | 188.6 in | 7.1 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 75.2 in | 71.7 in | 3.5 in |
| Height | 55.9 in | 56.7 in | 0.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in | 113 in | 2.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4,332 lbs | 4,057 lbs | 276 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Audi A7 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Mercedes-Benz C-Class burns about $2,550 of fuel annually against $2,600 for the Audi A7. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the stronger commuter at 28 mpg city, while the Audi A7 pulls ahead on the interstate at 38 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Audi A7 is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with 4 (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; PHEV). Across 15 recorded Audi A7 configurations and 123 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Audi A7 is offered with All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Midsize Cars and Subcompact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Audi A7 emits 126 g/mile of CO2 versus 215 g/mile for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
A7 vs C-Class: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi A7 or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 30 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class runs about $2,550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,600 for the Audi A7 — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the A7 and C-Class offer?
Audi A7: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI, 3.0. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Audi A7 as Midsize Cars and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More A7 comparisons
More C-Class comparisons
Comparison id: audi-a7-vs-mercedes-benz-c-class