Audi A4 vs BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes C-Class vs Jaguar XE: Specs Comparison

With the fifth-gen A4 sedan going on sale in India, Audi is all set to shake up the entire sports saloon segment. In its new iteration, the A4 promises to have the measure of its arch rivals. In fact, based on our first drive impressions (Read: 2016 Audi A4 1.4 TFSI Review) of the new model, we certainly can’t bet against the all-new A4. It definitely packs all the ingredients that are required for it to become the the next big thing in the sports saloon category.

It’s not going to be a cakewalk for the Audi A4, though. That’s because in addition to its traditional rivals – BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class – it now also has to compete with the very potent Jaguar XE. Let’s take a quick look then at the specs, features and other details of all four models and see which one comes out on top – on paper that is!

Dimensions:

Size of a car matters in India, especially when you’re buying a luxury car. And that is good news for Audi since the A4 is now the longest car in its segment. Its generous dimensions on the outside reflect inside the cabin as well. It’s quite spacious, especially at the rear. The BMW is the shortest of the quartet and that’s understood because the 3 Series is more about being behind the wheel than the rear bench. The Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE are neck and neck dimensionally, but as we have found out in the past, it’s the C-Class that is roomier at the back.

As far as looks go, you can’t choose one since it boils down to personal preferences. However, there’s no denying that the new A4 looks remarkably similar to its predecessor. But then, one can also argue that the A4 has always been a looker and the new one only looks more refined and classier.

Engine, Transmission and Suspension:

The new Audi A4 may be the biggest car in its segment, but it comes with the smallest engine of the bunch. Audi is only offering the A4 with a petrol motor in India as of now. In comparison, the 3 Series and the C-Class are offered in both petrol and diesel variants. The XE, however, also doesn’t have a diesel mill on offer just as yet.

Audi is also the only car that has a front-wheel drive layout while all the others are propelled by the rear wheels. On the flip side, the Audi A4 is now equipped with a lightning quick 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox while all the others get torque converters.

Since the Audi is only available with a petrol motor, we have compared it with only the petrol derivatives of its rivals – BMW 320i, Mercedes C200 and Jaguar XE 25t. Also, we have listed the more powerful version of the Jaguar since the less powerful version is not available in the top-spec trim.

A quick look at the table reveals the Audi is the slowest, while BMW and Mercedes are equally matched in terms of outright pace. The Jaguar XE is the quickest and fastest here, thanks to its explosive powertrain.

The Jaguar and the BMW will also be the most driver focused. In fact, Jaguar claims that for the XE, its engineers have used the same front suspension setup as the company’s F-Type sportscar. BMW on the other hand has traditionally been the driver’s car in this segment, although it comes with the conventional double-wishbone setup at front and a five-link rear axle. The Mercedes and Audi should be more comfort oriented though.

Features & Equipment:

In terms of features and equipment, all four cars are loaded to the gills. However, the Audi A4 being the latest gets a few more gadgets and features compared to the other three. For example, it has three-zone air-conditioning, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality for infotainment and then it completely trumps its rivals with a new digital instrument cluster in the shape of the Audi Virtual Cockpit.

Safety:

All fours cars come with a number of systems, ensuring occupant safety. The Audi and BMW have 8 airbags including front, rear and curtain while the Mercedes has 7. The Jaguar XE gets 6 airbags. ABS with EBD, Traction Control, Hill Assist, etc., are also standard on all four sedans.

Except for its powertrain, the new Audi A4 seems to have got the better of its rivals on every other front. It's been priced quite aggressively as well - between Rs 38.10 lakh and Rs 41.20 lakh. In comparison the BMW 320i starts at Rs 36.9 lakh but its top-end trim retails for Rs 42.70 lakh. The Mercedes C200 is also priced higher at Rs 43.74 lakh. The Jaguar XE is the most expensive of the bunch, starting from Rs 40.30 lakh and going up to Rs 48.50 lakh!

*All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Also read: Mercedes-Benz C250d vs BMW 320d MSport