Compare the2026 Mercedes GLEVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The new Q5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes GLE 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 Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the GLE and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE weighs 562 to 1510 pounds more than the Audi new Q5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

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 GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 107 more horsepower (375 vs. 268) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 450e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 113 more horsepower (381 vs. 268) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 242 more horsepower (510 vs. 268) and 243 lbs.-ft. more torque (538 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLE is faster than the Audi new Q5:

On the EPA test cycle the GLE 450e running on electricity gets better mileage than the new Q5 (57 city/63 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 49 miles. The new Q5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the new Q5 (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new Q5.

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new Q5:

The GLE stops shorter than the new Q5:

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the new Q5 (255/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The GLE 450/580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the new Q5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new Q5’s standard 60 series tires. The GLE 450/580’s optional 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the new Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the new Q5. The GLE 450/580’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the new Q5.

The GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the new Q5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The GLE 450/580 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 Q5.

The GLE’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 Q5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the new Q5 (117.9 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the new Q5 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the new Q5 can only carry 5.

The GLE has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the new Q5.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the new Q5 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new Q5 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the new Q5’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLE 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 Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new Q5, the GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The new Q5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The new Q5 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 GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new Q5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The new Q5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the new Q5.

The GLE 580 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 Q5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

and e Mercedes GLE comes in four door bodystyles; the Audi new Q5 isn’t available as a .

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 11% during 2024.