S3 vs GLC-Class

Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.

Audi S3
Audi

S3

Price from $52,000
Monthly payment $605
More details
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Mercedes-Benz

GLC-Class

Price from $52,400
Monthly payment $609
More details

Specifications

  S3 GLC-Class
Manufacturer Audi Mercedes-Benz
Starting price $52,000 $52,400
Monthly payment $605 $609
Fuel type Gasoline Hybrid
Fuel economy 26.0 mpg 26.0 mpg
CO₂ emissions 346 g/mi 323 g/mi–410 g/mi
Annual maintenance cost — —

Common issues

Audi S3

Common-issue data is not available yet.

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Yes. NHTSA complaint data aggregated by VinSpectorAI shows that engine problems are the most frequently reported issue category for the GLC-Class across model years 2017-2026, which includes the requested 2019-2026 span. The 2025 model year has the highest number of complaints among the analyzed years, with 34 complaints. Specific engine symptoms, failure modes, and consequences are not described in the supplied research, so buyers should treat engine issues as the dominant complaint area but without confirmed mechanical details. No repair cost estimate is available from the evidence.

About this comparison

Audi S3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.

S3 starts at $52,000; GLC-Class starts at $52,400. The difference is $400, making S3 about 1% cheaper before financing.

Estimated monthly payment: S3 — $605; GLC-Class — $609. The difference is $4 per month, with S3 lower.

The models use different powertrains: S3 — Gasoline; GLC-Class — Hybrid. The better choice depends on your daily route and access to charging.

The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.

Want to compare other models? Return to the full catalog or calculate financing using your own terms.