Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLAVS 2025 Audi new SQ5 Sportback

The AMG GLA’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG GLA has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the AMG GLA and the new SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG GLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLA third among small premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The new SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLA 35 gets better fuel mileage than the new SQ5 Sportback (22 city/30 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLA higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi new SQ5 Sportback (4). This means the AMG GLA produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the new SQ5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLA, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLA’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

The AMG GLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Mercedes AMG GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 pounds less than the Audi new SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLA is 11.1 inches shorter than the new SQ5 Sportback, making the AMG GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG GLA has 1 inch more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the new SQ5 Sportback.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new SQ5 Sportback, the AMG GLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLA to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The AMG GLA has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.