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Audi S5 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2026 Audi S5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi S5

2026 Audi S5

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD
VS0 – 4Mercedes-Benz E-Class wins 4 of 4 categories
Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is more fuel-efficient: 28 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $600 a year less in fuel for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi S5 is a midsize car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 190 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,464 lb.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,269 lb (Amg 4dr Sedan).

Buying used? The 2016 S5 and the 2024 E-Class have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 S5.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
28 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
25 city
$3,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,950

Performance & space

362 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
190.2 in
Length
194.9 in
73.2 in
Width
74 in
56.7 in
Height
57.9 in
4,464 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,189 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
–
0
Recalls (2026)
0
18
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

5,543
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,957

Buying used

2016
Best used year
2024
2020
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi S5 if…

  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (28 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi S5

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 26% below the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi S5 specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →