Lowest non-plug-in use
5.3 L/100 km
Audi A3 TFSI 110 kW S line · ADR combined
Quick read
Longest body
4,834 mm
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance
Largest boot
480 L
BMW 3 Series Sedan and M3 variants
Longest EV range
663 km
Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC electric · WLTP
How to read highlights
lowest non-plug-in petrol consumption
longest quoted electric range
longest overall length
largest boot volume
Scope: new 2026 Australian sedans only. “BMW 2 Series” means the four-door Gran Coupé, not the two-door coupé; A3 Sportback and all wagons are excluded. Regular cosmetic/option packs are grouped by powertrain; S/AMG/M performance derivatives are included where they are part of the requested range.
Mercedes-Benz
CLA
Compact four-door coupé · Mild-hybrid petrol and full-electric choices
| Mercedes-Benz CLA · 5 powertrain variants | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | CLA 180 | CLA 200 | CLA 220 4MATIC | CLA 200 electric | CLA 350 4MATIC electric |
| Price (AUD) | $66,500 | $68,100 | $84,300 | $72,200 | $91,300 |
| Dimensions | 4,723–4,731 × 1,855 × 1,463 mm Wheelbase: 2,790 mm · Petrol-body dimensions vary slightly by grade/source | 4,723 × 1,855 × 1,468 mm Wheelbase: 2,790 mm | |||
| Boot / frunk | 405 L boot | 405 L boot + 101 L front storage | |||
| Rear legroom | No comparable Australian manufacturer figure published.CarExpert describes the new CLA's rear space as improved over its predecessor; wheelbase 2,790 mm. | ||||
| Powertrain | 1.5 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder, 48 V mild hybrid 1.3 kWh battery | Single-motor electric 58 kWh LFP battery | Dual-motor electric 85 kWh NMC battery | ||
| Power / torque | 100 kW / 200 Nm | 120 kW / 250 Nm | 140 kW / 300 Nm | 165 kW / 335 Nm | 260 kW / 515 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 8-speed dual-clutch auto · FWD (180/200), AWD (220) | 2-speed auto · RWD | 2-speed auto · AWD | ||
| Economy / range | 5.4 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km | 5.8 L/100 km | 14.4 kWh/100 km 470 km WLTP | 14.9 kWh/100 km Longest EV range · 663 km WLTP |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | 8.0 s | 7.1 s | 7.5 s | 4.9 s |
Sources: CarExpert · Australian range and specificationsMercedes-Benz Australia · CLA electric
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class Sedan
Mid-size four-door sedan · Mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and AMG performance
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class · 5 powertrain variants | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | C 200 | C 300 | C 350 e | AMG C 43 4MATIC | AMG C 63 S E Performance |
| Price (AUD) | $87,800 | $98,200 | $98,200 | $123,800 | $193,900 |
| Length | 4,791 mm | 4,755 mm | 4,784 mm | 4,784 mm | 4,834 mm Longest in comparison |
| Width × height · wheelbase | 1,820 × 1,443 mm WB 2,865 mm | 1,820 × 1,450 mm WB 2,865 mm | 1,820 × 1,446 mm WB 2,865 mm | 1,824 × 1,441 mm WB 2,865 mm | 1,900 × 1,452 mm WB 2,875 mm |
| Boot | 455 L | 315 L | 455 L | 280 L | |
| Rear legroom | No comparable Australian manufacturer figure published.Reviewers report average-sized adults fit; those prioritising rear passenger space may prefer a larger Mercedes sedan. | ||||
| Powertrain | 1.5 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder 48 V mild hybrid | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder 48 V mild hybrid | 2.0 L turbo-petrol + electric motor 25.4 kWh battery | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder 48 V mild hybrid | 2.0 L turbo-petrol + rear electric motor 6.1 kWh plug-in hybrid battery |
| Power / torque | 150 kW engine + 17 kW ISG · 300 Nm | 190 kW engine + 17 kW ISG · 400 Nm | 230 kW / 550 Nm system Engine 150 kW; motor 95 kW | 310 kW / 500 Nm | 500 kW / 1,020 Nm system Engine 350 kW; motor at rear |
| Transmission · drive | 9-speed automatic · RWD | 9-speed AMG automatic · AWD | 9-speed AMG automatic + 2-speed rear e-axle · AWD | ||
| Combined fuel / EV | 6.8 L/100 km | 7.1 L/100 km | 1.5 L/100 km* (NEDC) 104 km NEDC electric range | 9.1 L/100 km | 6.1 L/100 km* (NEDC) 15 km NEDC electric range |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.3 s | 6.0 s | 6.1 s | 4.3 s | 3.4 s |
Sources: CarExpert · C 350 e review and range pricingDrive · C 200 dimensionscarsales · C 300 dimensionsDrive · AMG C 43 specificationscarsales · AMG C 63 specificationsThe Beep · variant boot capacitiesMercedes-Benz Australia · C-ClassMercedes-AMG Australia · C-Class
BMW
2 Series Gran Coupé
Compact four-door Gran Coupé · Petrol, front-wheel drive or xDrive
| BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé · 3 powertrain variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | 218 M Sport | 220 M Sport | M235 xDrive |
| Price (AUD) | $61,000 | $64,000 | $87,700 |
| Dimensions | 4,546 × 1,800 × 1,445 mm Wheelbase: 2,670 mm | ||
| Boot | 430 L | ||
| Rear legroom | 873 mm† CarExpert specification database; not a manufacturer-published Australian measurement. | ||
| Engine | 1.5 L turbo-petrol, 3-cylinder | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder | |
| Power / torque | 115 kW / 230 Nm | 150 kW / 300 Nm | 233 kW / 400 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic · FWD (218/220), xDrive AWD (M235) | ||
| Fuel use | 6.3 L/100 km | 6.7 L/100 km | 7.7 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 s | 7.3 s | 4.9 s |
Sources: BMW Australia · 2 Series Gran Coupé technical dataDrive · 2026 Australian variant pricesCarExpert · rear-seat dimensions
BMW
3 Series Sedan
Mid-size rear-drive sedan · Includes M Performance and M3 derivatives
| BMW 3 Series Sedan · 4 powertrain variants | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | 330i M Sport | M340i xDrive | M3 | M3 Competition M xDrive |
| Price (AUD) | $95,800 | $118,500 | $169,600 | $187,400 |
| Length | 4,713 mm | 4,714 mm | 4,801 mm | |
| Width × height · wheelbase | 1,827 × 1,440 mm WB 2,851 mm | 1,827 × 1,440 mm WB 2,851 mm | 1,903 × 1,437 mm WB 2,857 mm | |
| Boot | 480 L Largest published boot | |||
| Rear legroom | 899 mm† CarExpert specification database; not a manufacturer-published Australian measurement. | |||
| Engine | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder | 3.0 L turbo-petrol, inline 6-cylinder | 3.0 L twin-turbo petrol, inline 6-cylinder | |
| Power / torque | 190 kW / 400 Nm | 285 kW / 500 Nm | 353 kW / 550 Nm | 390 kW / 650 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 8-speed automatic · RWD | 8-speed automatic · AWD | 6-speed manual · RWD | 8-speed automatic · AWD |
| Fuel use | 6.5 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.1 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.8 s | 4.3 s | 4.2 s | 3.5 s |
Sources: BMW Australia · 3 Series M modelsDrive · 330i specifications and priceCarsGuide · 2026 range pricingCarExpert · M3 variants and pricingCarExpert · rear-seat dimensions
Audi
A3 Sedan / S3 Sedan
Compact four-door sedan · Mild hybrid, quattro and S performance
| Audi A3 / S3 Sedan · 3 powertrain variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | A3 TFSI 110 kW S line | A3 TFSI quattro 150 kW S line | S3 Sedan quattro |
| Price (AUD) | $57,800 | $65,800 | $81,800 |
| Dimensions | 4,504 × 1,816 × 1,442 mm Wheelbase: 2,630 mm | 4,504 × 1,816 × 1,417 mm Wheelbase: 2,635 mm | 4,506 × 1,816 × 1,412 mm Wheelbase: 2,630 mm |
| Boot | 425 L | 390 L | 325 L |
| Rear legroom | No comparable Australian manufacturer figure published.CarExpert reviewers say a 6 ft 1 in adult can sit behind their own driving position in the A3, though the sport seats make it feel tighter. | ||
| Powertrain | 1.5 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder 48 V mild hybrid | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder | 2.0 L turbo-petrol, 4-cylinder |
| Power / torque | 110 kW / 250 Nm | 150 kW / 320 Nm | 245 kW / 420 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch · FWD | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch · quattro AWD | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch · quattro AWD |
| Fuel use | 5.3 L/100 km Lowest non-plug-in use | 6.5 L/100 km | 7.8 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.1 s | 6.3 s | 4.7 s |
Sources: Audi Australia · A3 SedanDrive · 2026 A3/S3 pricing and specificationsCarExpert · A3 Sedan review and practicality
Inter-brand comparisons
Each matrix uses cars as columns and specifications as rows. Variants are grouped by market class and approximate output so the closest alternatives sit together. Cross-class or different-powertrain comparisons are labelled; where this shortlist has no like-for-like rival, that gap is called out rather than filled with a misleading match.
Best in this class
lowest list price
lowest comparable petrol use
longest
largest boot
fastest 0–100 km/h
Badges are awarded within each classification only. Fuel-use badges compare non-plug-in ADR petrol figures; PHEVs or unlike test cycles are not ranked against them.
Compact premium · mainstream petrol (about 100–120 kW)
| Specification | Mercedes CLA 180 | Mercedes CLA 200 | BMW 218 M Sport | Audi A3 TFSI 110 kW S line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | — | Longest listedFastest | Largest boot | Lowest priceLowest fuel use |
| List price (AUD) | $66,500 | $68,100 | $61,000 | $57,800 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,723 × 1,855 × 1,463 mm WB 2,790 mm | 4,723–4,731 × 1,855 × 1,463 mm WB 2,790 mm | 4,546 × 1,800 × 1,445 mm WB 2,670 mm | 4,504 × 1,816 × 1,442 mm WB 2,630 mm |
| Engine / power · torque | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 100 kW / 200 Nm | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 120 kW / 250 Nm | 1.5 L turbo I3 115 kW / 230 Nm | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 110 kW / 250 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 8-speed DCT · FWD | 8-speed DCT · FWD | 7-speed DCT · FWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · FWD |
| Boot | 405 L | 405 L | 430 L | 425 L |
| Rear legroom | Not published | Not published | 873 mm† | Not published |
| Combined fuel use | 5.4 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km | 6.3 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | 8.0 s | 8.6 s | 8.1 s |
Compact premium · upper-output petrol (140–150 kW)
| Specification | Mercedes CLA 220 4MATIC | BMW 220 M Sport | Audi A3 TFSI quattro 150 kW S line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | Longest listedLowest fuel use | Lowest priceLargest boot | Fastest |
| List price (AUD) | $84,300 | $64,000 | $65,800 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,723–4,731 × 1,855 × 1,463 mm WB 2,790 mm | 4,546 × 1,800 × 1,445 mm WB 2,670 mm | 4,504 × 1,816 × 1,417 mm WB 2,635 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 140 kW / 300 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 150 kW / 300 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 150 kW / 320 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 8-speed DCT · AWD | 7-speed DCT · FWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · AWD |
| Boot | 405 L | 430 L | 390 L |
| Rear legroom | Not published | 873 mm† | Not published |
| Combined fuel use | 5.8 L/100 km | 6.7 L/100 km | 6.5 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.1 s | 7.3 s | 6.3 s |
Mid-size premium · core sedan range
| Specification | Mercedes C 200 | Mercedes C 300 | Mercedes C 350 e | BMW 330i M Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | Lowest priceLongest | — | — | Largest bootLowest petrol ADRFastest |
| List price (AUD) | $87,800 | $98,200 | $98,200 | $95,800 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,791 × 1,820 × 1,443 mm WB 2,865 mm | 4,755 × 1,820 × 1,450 mm WB 2,865 mm | 4,784 × 1,820 × 1,446 mm WB 2,865 mm | 4,713 × 1,827 × 1,440 mm WB 2,851 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 150 kW engine / 300 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 MHEV 190 kW engine / 400 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 + e-motor 230 kW / 550 Nm system | 2.0 L turbo I4 190 kW / 400 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 9-speed auto · RWD | 9-speed auto · RWD | 9-speed auto · RWD | 8-speed auto · RWD |
| Boot | 455 L | 455 L | 315 L | 480 L |
| Rear legroom | Not published | Not published | Not published | 899 mm† |
| Combined fuel use | 6.8 L/100 km (ADR) | 7.1 L/100 km (ADR) | 1.5 L/100 km* (NEDC) 104 km NEDC electric range | 6.5 L/100 km (ADR) |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.3 s | 6.0 s | 6.1 s | 5.8 s |
Compact performance sedans
| Specification | BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupé | Audi S3 Sedan quattro |
|---|---|---|
| Key badges | LongestLargest bootLowest fuel use | Lowest priceFastest |
| List price (AUD) | $87,700 | $81,800 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,546 × 1,800 × 1,445 mm WB 2,670 mm | 4,506 × 1,816 × 1,412 mm WB 2,630 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 2.0 L turbo I4 233 kW / 400 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 245 kW / 420 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed DCT · AWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · AWD |
| Boot | 430 L | 325 L |
| Rear legroom | 873 mm† | Not published |
| Combined fuel use | 7.7 L/100 km (ADR) | 7.8 L/100 km (ADR) |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.9 s | 4.7 s |
Mid-size sporty performance · closest output match
| Specification | Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC | BMW M340i xDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Key badges | LongestFastest (tie) | Lowest priceLargest bootLowest fuel useFastest (tie) |
| List price (AUD) | $123,800 | $118,500 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,784 × 1,824 × 1,441 mm WB 2,865 mm | 4,714 × 1,827 × 1,440 mm WB 2,851 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 2.0 L turbo I4 MHEV 310 kW / 500 Nm | 3.0 L turbo I6 285 kW / 500 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 9-speed AMG auto · AWD | 8-speed auto · AWD |
| Boot | 455 L | 480 L |
| Rear legroom | Not published | 899 mm† |
| Combined fuel use | 9.1 L/100 km (ADR) | 8.0 L/100 km (ADR) |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.3 s | 4.3 s |
Mid-size high-performance sedans
| Specification | AMG C 63 S E Performance | BMW M3 | BMW M3 Competition M xDrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | LongestFastest | Lowest priceLargest boot (tie) | Largest boot (tie) |
| List price (AUD) | $193,900 | $169,600 | $187,400 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,834 × 1,900 × 1,452 mm WB 2,875 mm | 4,801 × 1,903 × 1,437 mm WB 2,857 mm | 4,801 × 1,903 × 1,437 mm WB 2,857 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 2.0 L turbo I4 + e-motor PHEV 500 kW / 1,020 Nm system | 3.0 L twin-turbo I6 353 kW / 550 Nm | 3.0 L twin-turbo I6 390 kW / 650 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 9-speed AMG auto + 2-speed e-axle · AWD | 6-speed manual · RWD | 8-speed auto · AWD |
| Boot | 280 L | 480 L | 480 L |
| Rear legroom | Not published | 899 mm† | 899 mm† |
| Combined fuel use | 6.1 L/100 km* (NEDC) 15 km NEDC electric range | 10.1 L/100 km (ADR) | 10.2 L/100 km (ADR) |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.4 s | 4.2 s | 3.5 s |
No like-for-like BMW or Audi battery-electric sedan is included in this shortlist, so the CLA 200 electric and CLA 350 4MATIC electric remain a within-range comparison only. There is no BMW or Audi plug-in hybrid in the selected mid-size sedan line-up, and the selected Audi A3/S3 models are compact rather than mid-size.
Sources & how to compare
- Prices are Australian recommended list prices before registration, stamp duty, dealer delivery and options. They are a snapshot, not a live quote.
- Manufacturer data is preferred where available; independent Australian motoring sources fill gaps such as local pricing or dimensions. Linked sources are provided beside each model range.
- Rear legroom is rarely published as a comparable Australian figure. “Not published” is intentional; wheelbase and reviewer observations are context, not a substitute for a measured legroom value. †Third-party database values are labelled and should be treated as indicative.
- Fuel consumption uses the published combined-cycle figure where available. ADR, WLTP and NEDC results are different test procedures. Plug-in hybrid fuel use assumes regular charging and cannot be directly ranked against petrol-only cars; actual use depends on charge state and trip length.
- Electric range and electricity consumption are laboratory claims. Real range varies with speed, temperature, wheels, load and driving conditions. CLA electric values use WLTP.
- Dimensions are length × body width (excluding mirrors) × height; wheelbase is shown separately. Linked Australian specifications occasionally disagree for the same grade, especially within the C-Class; the values are retained by cited source rather than silently blended. Confirm the exact vehicle's dimensions with the manufacturer.
- Model scope is limited to Australian-market 2026 sedans and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Wagons, hatchbacks, coupes, used cars and dealer-specific special editions are not compared.