Compare the2022 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2022 Audi Q7

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 Q7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 Q7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Audi Q7:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is safer than the Audi Q7:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 26 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s reliability 18 points higher than the Q7.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (362 vs. 248) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the Q7 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (362 vs. 335) than the Q7 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the Q7:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q7 45 TFSI’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi Q7 (3 to 5). This means the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q7 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q7.

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Q7:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon stops shorter than the Q7:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 Q7’s standard 55 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q7, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Q7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 Q7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain handles at .89 G’s, while the Q7 Prestige pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Q7’s (39 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 550 pounds less than the Audi Q7.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 4.5 inches shorter than the Q7, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 9.6 inches shorter in height than the Q7, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Q7 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Q7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 Q7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q7 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi Q7 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is less expensive to operate than the Q7 because it costs $64 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon than the Q7, including $94 less for front brake pads, $194 less for a starter, $255 less for fuel injection, $430 less for front struts and $279 less for a timing belt/chain.

The E 450/E 53 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 4 years. The Q7 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by 7% during 2020.