2018 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2018 Audi RS 3 vs Mercedes-Benz C-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 · 2.5L 5-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 22 MPG
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,194 a year to fuel (27 MPG), versus $2,693 for the 2018 Audi RS 3 (22 MPG). That's roughly $499 a year, or about $2,494 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 RS 3
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Side by side
| Audi RS 3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,693 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,194 |
| 22 MPG | Combined efficiency | 27 MPG |
| 19 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 28 MPG | Highway | 33 MPG |
| 86 cu ft | Passenger volume | 90 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 399 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 324 g/mi |
| 4/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 4/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ 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 RS 3 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class across model years
- Audi RS 3
- Mercedes-Benz C-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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has more passenger space (90 vs. 86 cu ft); the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 subcompact cars, the Audi RS 3 ranks 30th and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 17th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Audi RS 3 or the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Audi RS 3 is rated 22 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 27 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Audi RS 3 vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,693 for the Audi RS 3 and $2,194 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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