Comparo: 2012 Audi A4 vs. BMW 3 Series vs. Mercedes-Benz C Class

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

Which premium German compact sedan deserves your money?

Call it a head start, if you like; whenever an automaker launches a new entry-level sports sedan, the target is pointed at Germany. Since the 1970s, small sedans from Germany's Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have been the gold standard of this class. And today, more than four decades later, the respective A4, 3 Series, and C-Class four-doors still lead the segment when it comes to innovation, competence, refinement, and status. Arguably, BMW's 3 has been the pick of the trio for those who like to drive, the C-Class for those who prefer their small sedans to coddle, and the A4 for the automaker's legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. But the rivalry between the Teutonic trio means those stereotypical differences aren't so different anymore. Leading-edge luxury features, all-wheel drive, and lively driving characteristics are no longer exclusive to just one German make. With an all-new 3 Series arriving this year, I  felt it was time to check in on these class leaders, and ask: Which is the best small German sports sedan you can buy?

Third place: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic

To keep things fresh, the current generation C-Class gets its first major re-do this year since arriving for 2008: new front and rear exterior styling, an updated interior, and a new base model C 250 that reintroduces a four-cylinder to the lineup for 2012. Realistically, the turbocharged and rear-wheel drive $36,700 C 250 can't compete with its starter Audi and BMW rivals with only 201 horsepower. That means you need to step up to the mid-range $45,200 C 300 4Matic, which comes with standard all-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre V6. Despite the extra coin you have to spend over the $43,600 328i Modern (with mandatory auto), the C 300 4Matic engine's 228 hp and 221 lb.-ft. of torque comes up short to the leading BMW. With its standard seven-speed automatic transmission, the baby Benz is also the slowest sedan here, taking 7.2 seconds to go from zero to 100 km/h. A least the 2012 C-Class's interior is finally up to par. Soft plastics, new driver instrumentation and central digital display, and more comfortable seats improve the Mercedes' interior atmosphere considerably. Too bad the four-door's backseat is still cramped. One quality that's also consistent is the C 300 4Matic's bank-vault feel. Of the three sedans here, the Benz is the quietest. But that comes at the cost of less-than-sporty handling. The Mercedes is the least likely German sedan to egg you on when entering a highway on-ramp, mainly because its comfort-first suspension refuses to convey what's going on down at road level, and its steering is the least communicative here as well. Buy this car if: ... you want a quiet and comfortable German sedan; you want/need the Mercedes badge. Don't buy this car if: ... you're looking for a "sports" sedan; your wallet is thinner than you let on.

Second place: 2012 BMW 328i Modern

No longer happy catering exclusively to driving enthusiasts, BMW is attempting to broaden its small sedan's appeal. The sixth-generation 3er four-door (other variants including a wagon are on the way), offers more high-tech gadgets, comfort features, and interior room than ever before. Like the Audi and Mercedes rivals, BMW now offers a turbocharged four-cylinder base engine. In the entry level 320i, the 2.0 turbo churns out 181 hp, but I've got the 328i here. It has the same engine, but it's been tweaked to produce 241 hp. If you've got to have one of BMW's legendary inline sixes, you can choose between the 335i or the new ActiveHybrid 3. All-wheel-drive (dubbed xDrive) versions are coming, but for now, all 3 Series send their power to their rear wheels. Trim levels for the 328i include the base Luxury, the driver-oriented Sport, and the creature comfort and gadget-laden Modern. More interior room and luxury features are nice, but if you're buying a BMW based on how previous generations of 3 Series went down the road, you might find yourself a bit let down by the comfort-focused 328i Modern. Sure, the blown four puts out similar (if not better) power ratings than the naturally aspirated 3.0-litre inline-six it replaces, and its fuel-economy ratings of 8.0 L/100 km city and 5.3 highway easily beat the Audi's 10.0/7.0 scores, and the Mercedes' 11.8/11.3 numbers. But the BMW four huffs and puffs and moans and groans like no BMW six ever could. Plus, the BMW's stop/start system, which generates those outstanding fuel economy ratings, kills any sense of refinement with its herky-jerky actions. The other issue with our 328i Modern was lack of steering feel, something this writer never imagined would be associated with a car from Munich. At least the ride quality has improved over the last 3 Series. Perhaps a drive in a 328i Sport with a manual gearbox would change my mind. Buy this car if: ... if you want the most-luxurious 3 Series ever; you want to save fuel.

Don't buy this car if: ... you want a "real" BMW driving machine.

First place: 2012 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro Premium

It's not good news for BMW and Mercedes dealers that the winning A4 I tested was the outgoing 2012 version, a model that came out for 2009. A refreshed 2013 A4 is arriving this summer, with mainly cosmetic changes inside and out. But the outgoing Audi sedan's overall competence — and ability to cater to driving enthusiasts — puts it at the top of our face-off podium. While you might think that all Audis come standard with Quattro, the base A4 doesn't — it features standard all-wheel drive and has a continuously variable transmission. But nobody buys that car. Instead, most opt for the all-wheel-drive Quattro version ($39,700). An eight-speed Tiptronic automatic costs an extra $1,600 over the standard six-speed manual. Our A4 with Quattro, auto, and Premium package (bi-Xenon headlights; auto climate control; plus other details) rang in at a competitive $45,200. The only A4 sedan powerplant is the ubiquitous 2.0-litre turbocharged four with 211 hp. Despite less juice than the 328i, the A4 Quattro scoots from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds — just a half-second behind the Bimmer. But the Audi's engine/transmission marriage is the most gratifying of this trio. The A4 never felt like it was out of step when the driver made the call to the engine room. And when the road turns and twists, the Audi pulls ahead of its German competition. When entering corners, the A4 feels like a puppy dog chasing a squirrel: full of excitement and anticipation. Ultimately, understeer prevails. But at any speeds — legal or not — the Audi is the most composed. And steering feel — long a quality lacking in Audis — is the best here, the A4 turning into a corner as if the driver's arms are connected directly to the steering system. We hope the switch to a new electromechanical assist system for 2013 won't be a step backwards given the progress Audi has made. Take off your driving gloves, and the A4 still cossets. Class-leading interior build quality is a given, as are ergonomics that are still the most functional and easy-to-use of this trio. And the ride quality is just as comforting as the Merc and Bimmer. In other words, the A4 Quattro is our winner. Buy this car if: ... if you want the best blend of luxury, comfort, and athletic driving characteristics; class-leading interior design. Don't buy this car if: ... you need to brag about your car's power ratings.

One Response to “Comparo: 2012 Audi A4 vs. BMW 3 Series vs. Mercedes-Benz C Class”

1. The Crank: New stop/start systems turning off BMW owners : straight-six
   August 15th, 2012 @ 8:19 am

   […] stop-start setups, what I consider the industry leader. In fact, the stop/start system in a 2012 328i Modern I recently tested was one of my main grievances with the […]