TWINTEST AUDI A5 coupé vs MERCEDEZ-BENZ E250 coupéThe strong swing in favour of diesel means that these two premium coupés have a lot to offer – and not just in terms of cost efficiency
IF, TEN YEARS ago, we had predicted that two of 2010’s best coupés would be powered by fuel-efficient diesel engines, you would have thought of us as tractor-loving bumpkins – but these days, if you buy a petrol car, people look at you as if you shouldn’t be let out with a wallet.
Thanks to the emissions-based tax system, these cars are better value than ever, with the sort of power available for €20,000 less than a decade ago. Here are two of the market’s finest coupés, offering two quite different solutions.
STYLING
A5 * * * *
E-Class Coupé * * *
These are beautiful cars that attract a world of attention. Visually, they are quite different. The Audi has precise, measured beauty. It’s not over-styled, but very striking. Our test car, red with 20” alloys, strained necks everywhere.
The E-Class Coupé will appeal to the reasonably conservative. It’s quite restrained, aside from busy front lights, with a dominant Mercedes-Benz grille. It is pretty, but when we took both out together, the Audi got all the attention. On thosealloys, the Audi is prettier, but could be regarded as too bling for those who might prefer the more discreet Mercedes.
RELIABILITY and QUALITY
A5 * * * *
E-Class Coupé * *
Mercedes-Benz went through quite the rough patch in terms of reliability in the last decade and there have been a few problems of late with some of the diesel engines.
There have been faults with the 220CDi and 250CDi engines, causing them to lose power, something that happened in our car.
We were told that, when we lost power, it was a problem with the exhaust back pressure sensor. Whatever the reason, it’s disconcerting to find the power disappear as you are sitting in the overtaking lane of the motorway.
In terms of injector problems with some diesel engines, Mercedes says it is dealing the them for free as they arise and will not be recalling cars. However, these issues won’t sit well with buyers and, in the wake of Toyota’s problems, they are likely to gain media focus.
Aside from this, the E-Class feels, as you would expect, beautifully made. But until there can be assurances that engine faults are in the past tense, they can’t win out on this category.
There appears to be no such anxiety with the A5. While the E-Class is a comfortable, luxurious sitting room, the A5 is a trendy German city centre apartment. Both are pretty nice: it really depends on preference.
DRIVING
A5 * * * *
E-Class Coupé * * * *
Both are good for very different reasons. The E-Class Coupé excels in poise and cruising – a cross-country trek is a breeze. Twinned with a relaxed, automatic gearbox, it makes for effortless driving. You can imagine the creators had long-distance autobahn trips in mind.
The A5 is different – much firmer, lending itself, ultimately, to a more involved drive. Both are very good at what they do. If you prefer relaxed cruising, choose the Merc; if you are a keen driver, the Audi.
ERGONOMICS and PRACTICALITY
A5 * * *
E-Class Coupé * * *
There is always a certain amount of compromise in a coupé when it comes to practicality. There are only tiny differences between legroom and headroom in the cars.
The Mercedes is fractionally longer, but the Audi’s greater width allows for better shoulder room upfront.
Audi has the fractional edge of just five litres of boot space, but both are generous and likely to swallow golf clubs with ease.
ENGINES
A5 * * * *
E-Class Coupé * * * * *
These two engines look like they have quite a difference in power on paper, but this isn’t necessarily reflected in performance figures.
The Audi has a two-litre 170bhp four-cylinder diesel with 350Nm of torque which, on paper, is overshadowed by the Mercedes’ 2.2-litre 204bhp unit with much stronger torque of 500Nm.
But there is little between them in terms of acceleration, with the Mercedes getting to 100km/h one second before the Audi. The Mercedes engine, however, feels slightly more refined and quieter than the Audi’s.
RUNNING COSTS
A5 * * *
E-Class Coupé * * *
Both engines are very economical and keep emissions low. Our test cars had different transmissions: the Audi, a six-speed manual; Mercedes, a five-speed auto. Both are in band B with a manual gearbox, but the Mercedes jumps to band D with an automatic gearbox.
The Audi A5 has stop/start technology, which has helped emissions to fall. Our car, with quattro, increases emissions to 149g/km so annual road tax is €302, still quite small given the car’s performance. Depreciation has been slow on the A5 Coupé so far, with prices holding firm. The E-Class Coupé is still very new, so there isn’t much indication of how used values will be, but you can expect them to be quite strong.
EQUIPMENT and SAFETY
A5 * * * *
E-Class Coupé * * * *
Neither has been tested by EuroNCAP, but the E-Class saloon received five stars, and the A4 saloon scored the same so you can take it their coupé equivalents would match.
Safety essentials such as traction control, ESP and multiple airbags are in both, with the A5 Coupé’s quattro offering better grip. Optional extras, however, are expensive. You get alloys, air conditioning and a raft of safety equipment, but you can spend thousands on customisation.
VERDICT AUDI A5 COUPÉ
This will be very much down to taste, with the E-Class the car to choose if you want a comfortable cruiser. The E-Class engine is better, and ride and refinement are first class. The Audi is a better driver’s car – not as relaxed as the Mercedes, but more of an enthusiast’s car.
Our choice is the Audi, because not only is it better looking, but over the course of the week, it was the one we reached for the keys of first.
Factfile Head to head
AUDI A5 2.0 TDI
Engine:1968cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power:170bhp, 350Nm torque
Transmission:six-speed manual
0-100km/h:8.2 seconds
Top speed:228km/h
Economy:urban – 7.1 l/100km (39.7mpg),
extra-urban – 4.9 l/100km (57.6mpg), combined – 5.7/100km (49.5mpg)
CO2 emissions:149g/km (tax band C – €302)
Boot capacity:455 litres
Price:€48,410
MERCEDES-BENZ E250 CDI A/T ELEGANCE
Engine:2,143cc 4-cylinder diesel
Power:204bhp, 500Nm torque
Transmission:5-speed automatic
0-100km/h:7.2 seconds
Top Speed:249km/h
Economy:urban – 8.5l/100km (33.2 mpg), extra-urban – 4.9 l/100km (57.6 mpg), combined – 6.1l/100km (45.6 mpg)
CO2 emissions:163g/km
CO2 tax band:D (€447)
Boot capacity:450 litres
Price:€50,345