Compare the2022 Mercedes AMG GLBVS 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The Mercedes AMG GLB 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLB’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLB and the SQ5 Sportback 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, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 26 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG GLB’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the AMG GLB has a standard 800-amp battery. The SQ5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 15th in reliability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

The AMG GLB offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG GLB’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 SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG GLB’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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Mercedes AMG GLB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Audi SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the SQ5 Sportback can only carry 5.

The AMG GLB has .5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5 Sportback.

The front step up height for the AMG GLB is 1.3 inches lower than the SQ5 Sportback (17” vs. 18.3”). The AMG GLB’s rear step up height is .5 inches lower than the SQ5 Sportback’s (17.5” vs. 18”).

The AMG GLB’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ5 Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The AMG GLB has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The AMG GLB’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG GLB offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG GLB also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The AMG GLB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLB 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG GLB’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.