Mercedes-Benz leads in luxury prestige and resale value (55-60% retention after 5 years), while Audi excels in technology innovation and value-for-money, with comparable performance but lower starting prices by 8-12% across equivalent segments.
Audi vs Mercedes-Benz — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Mercedes-Benz if prestige, brand heritage, and strong resale value are priorities—it's the luxury choice for those seeking traditional German engineering excellence and status. Choose Audi if you prioritize cutting-edge technology, value-for-money, and reliability, plus desire sophisticated infotainment and performance at a lower entry price point.
German luxury automaker known for innovative technology and refined design with emphasis on practicality.
German luxury automaker offering premium vehicles with hybrid, electric, and combustion engine options.
Average Reliability Score (J.D. Power 2025)
Structured comparison data for Audi vs Mercedes-Benz with 427 attributes.
Average Annual Maintenance Cost (After Warranty)
0-60 mph Acceleration (Base Sport Model)
Consumer Reports Overall Reliability Rating
Combined Fuel Efficiency (Mid-Size Sedan)
0-60 mph Acceleration (Sedan Comparison)
0-60 mph Acceleration (Performance Flagship)
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating (2024)
Customer Satisfaction Rating (J.D. Power 2024)
Average Annual Maintenance Cost (Years 1-3)
Interior Material Standard (Leather Type)
Combined Fuel Economy (Sedan Base Model)
0-60 mph Acceleration (Performance Model)
Estimated Resale Value Retention (3-Year)
Average Resale Value Retention (3 years)
Average Reliability Rating (J.D. Power 2024)
Transmission Failure Rate (10-year lifespan)
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating 2024
Total 10-Year Ownership Cost (avg mid-size sedan)
Starting Price (2026 3-Series vs C-Class)
Flagship Model Price (911 Turbo S / S-Class 580)
Infotainment System Display Size (Standard)
Audi vs Mercedes-Benz — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Audi vs Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz retains 55-62% of its value after 5 years, significantly outperforming Audi's 48-52% retention. This is due to stronger brand prestige perception and higher demand in the used luxury market. However, Audi's lower initial purchase price can offset this difference in total cost of ownership.
Which brand has better technology and infotainment?
Audi's MMI system scores 9.2/10 for user satisfaction and intuitive interface design, edging out Mercedes' MBUX (8.8/10). However, Mercedes' MBUX features more advanced AI capabilities with natural language voice control. For tech prioritization, Audi wins on usability; Mercedes wins on innovation.
Audi rates higher on reliability with a J.D. Power 2025 score of 82/100 compared to Mercedes' 79/100. Audi's Volkswagen Group engineering and simpler software architecture contribute to fewer reported issues, while Mercedes' complex MBUX systems occasionally require updates.
How much more expensive is Mercedes-Benz?
Mercedes-Benz entry-level models cost 8-12% more than Audi equivalents ($46,800 vs $42,500 for base luxury models). However, Mercedes commands this premium due to brand heritage, stronger resale values, and higher perceived prestige in the luxury market.
Which brand is better for electric vehicles?
Mercedes-Benz offers 8 dedicated EV models (EQC, EQE, EQS, EQG, etc.) versus Audi's 6 (e-tron, Q4 e-tron, e-tron GT, etc.). Mercedes has more aggressive electrification and wider EV platform variety, but Audi's e-tron models score higher on efficiency ratings. Choose Mercedes for EV selection; Audi for EV efficiency.