Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLCVS 2025 Audi new SQ5

The Mercedes AMG GLC 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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the AMG GLC and the new SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 GLC’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLC first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The new SQ5 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.

The AMG GLC 43’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (416 vs. 362) than the new SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 309 more horsepower (671 vs. 362) and 346 lbs.-ft. more torque (752 vs. 406) than the new SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes AMG GLC is faster than the Audi new SQ5:

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance running on electricity gets better mileage than the new SQ5 (36 city/26 hwy MPGe vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance can travel with zero emissions for 1 miles. The new SQ5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new SQ5.

For better stopping power the AMG GLC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new SQ5:

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The AMG GLC stops shorter than the new SQ5:

For better traction, the AMG GLC has larger tires than the new SQ5 (F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20 vs. 255/45R20).

The AMG GLC’s standard 295/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG GLC’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the new SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the new SQ5.

The AMG GLC’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 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLC’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the new SQ5 (113.7 inches vs. 111 inches).

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance handles at .99 G’s, while the new SQ5 Prestige pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG GLC 63 S E Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the new SQ5 Prestige (23.7 seconds @ .88 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

The AMG GLC has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the new SQ5.

The AMG GLC has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new SQ5 with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLC uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The AMG GLC’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new SQ5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The AMG GLC has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the new SQ5.

and e Mercedes AMG GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the Audi new SQ5 isn’t available as a .

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 17% during 2024.