Compare the2022 Audi SQ5VS 2021 Mercedes AMG GLE

Both the SQ5 and AMG GLE have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG GLE’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The SQ5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The SQ5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLE.

Both the SQ5 and the AMG GLE 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLE has not been tested, yet.

The SQ5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 gets better mileage than the AMG GLE:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG GLE requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLE 53’s standard 50 series tires.

The SQ5 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the AMG GLE 63 S pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the AMG GLE’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Audi SQ5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1300 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLE.

The SQ5 is 10.1 inches shorter than the AMG GLE 53, making the SQ5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SQ5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the AMG GLE’s (4400 vs. 3858 pounds).

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Mercedes GLE by 12% during the 2021 model year.