Audi A5 Avant vs Mercedes C-Class T: A comparison of premium estate cars

For the first time, an Avant is called the A5. Audi says it is planning to move up into the upper mid-size class with the A4 successor and has allowed it to grow accordingly. Nevertheless, one of its main rivals is of course still the Mercedes C-Class Estate. 

How does the new premium estate from Ingolstadt fare against the bestseller with the three-pointed star? We analyse the two models in terms of dimensions, interior, engine range and price.

Gallery: 2025 Audi A5 Avant the road test

22

Source: Audi

Exterior

The new Audi A5 is a further development of the A4. Although Audi is talking about a completely new platform, it retains front-wheel or all-wheel drive and longitudinally mounted engines. In terms of dimensions, the A5 Avant has grown significantly. It is 6.7 cm longer and 1.3 cm wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase increases by 7.2 cm, which improves the space available for rear passengers.

One thing you have to give the A5 Avant credit for: visually, it looks more upmarket and exciting than the last A4 Avant. The much more modern design of the headlights and tail lights with OLED technology certainly plays a significant role in this.

Audi A5 Avant

Mercedes Classe C SW

The C-Class Estate has been on the market since 2021, but its design still looks very fresh. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Daimler is now a few centimetres shorter than its competitor with the four rings. However, with a drag coefficient of 0.27, it is ahead of the Audi (0.30).

Another advantage, at least for the time being, is that the Estate is available as an All-Terrain version with higher ground clearance and a slightly off-road look. It remains to be seen whether Audi will follow suit with an A5 Allroad.

Interior

Thanks to the increased dimensions, the new A5 offers noticeably more space for all passengers than the previous A4. Interestingly, however, the boot volume is a good deal smaller. 448 to 1,396 litres is no mean feat in this segment. One reason for this, at least in the two mild hybrids, is the larger battery, which is located under the boot floor. 

The Ingolstadt-based company has completely turned the cockpit and dashboard inside out. The new layout is very similar to that of the A6 and Q6 e-tron and the new Q5. The curved XL display consisting of 11.9-inch instruments and 14.5-inch infotainment (with Android Automotive-based software) as well as the optional 10.9-inch passenger display make a very high-quality impression.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all areas of the A5 interior. Some of the materials used look very cheap and do not really match the upper mid-range claim.

Audi A5 Avant, the interior

The interior of the Mercedes C-Class SW

Inside, the C-Class has the current Mercedes look with stylish surfaces, plenty of lighting and large screens. The digital instruments measure 12.3 inches. Separate from this is the vertically arranged 11.9-inch infotainment screen in the centre. The boot of the C-Class is larger than that of the Audi, holding at least 490 litres and can be extended to 1,510 litres by folding down the rear bench seat.

In terms of quality, the C-Class also feels a little down on its predecessor. At least in the areas that you don't touch all the time. It probably has a slight advantage over the A5 here. However, the A5 has a more airy rear compartment. 

Engines

The days of extensive engine ranges are over at Audi. The A5 range comprises four combustion engines at the start. In the course of 2025, two plug-in hybrid petrol variants with 300 and 367 PS are to be added, which will offer an electric range of 60 miles.

The standard petrol 2.0 TFSI is available with 150 PS and 204 PS. The provisional top model is the S5 with the new 3.0-litre turbo V6 and 367 PS. Like the only diesel in the range, it has a new drivetrain generator (small electric motor) and a 1.7 kWh battery, making it almost a full hybrid. The 2.0 TDI delivers 204 PS. The 204 PS engines are also optionally available with all-wheel drive. This is standard on the S5. Always included is a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Mercedes C 63 T-Modell

The C-Class engine programme is far from an economy drive. Daimler offers a powerful selection with petrol and diesel mild hybrids as well as petrol and diesel plug-in hybrids. In total, there are eleven variants with outputs between 170 and 680 PS. The plug-in hybrids offer an electric range of around 60 miles.

Depending on the chosen engine, the estate C comes with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Here too, there is only one choice of transmission, namely the familiar 9-speed automatic.

Prices

The Audi A5 Avant in the UK starts at £44,575 with the 150 PS petrol engine. The diesel is available from £47,800. The S5 Avant costs at least £71,325.

The cheapest way to drive a new C-Class Estate in the UK is the C 200 for at least £46,870. However, Mercedes is currently not really willing to commit to fixed prices. We orientate ourselves on the current prices in the online configurator. The entry-level diesel model for the C 200 d therefore starts at £48,320. Plug-in hybrids start at £52,110 for the C 300 e. The top-of-the-range AMG C 63 S E Performance model currently starts at £99,280.

More comparisons of German cars:

Skoda Kodiaq vs. VW Tayron: The same or different?

Audi A6 e-tron vs BMW i5, German 'on tap' challenge

Audi Q5 vs BMW X3: Clash of historic rivals still diesel

BMW M5 Touring vs Audi RS 6: Duel of the super estate cars