Compare the2022 Audi SQ7VS 2021 Mercedes AMG GLS

Both the SQ7 and AMG GLS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ7 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 GLS’ 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 SQ7 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 GLS 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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the SQ7 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the SQ7 and the AMG GLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The SQ7’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLS’ (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.

For better traction, the SQ7 has larger tires than the AMG GLS (285/40R21 vs. 275/50R21).

The SQ7’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLS 63’s standard 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

The SQ7 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 AMG GLS doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Audi SQ7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLS.

The SQ7 is 6.8 inches shorter than the AMG GLS, making the SQ7 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SQ7 has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more front shoulder room than the AMG GLS.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ7 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A manual rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are optional in the SQ7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG GLS doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Insurance will cost less for the SQ7 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ7 will cost $3340 to $4030 less than the AMG GLS over a five-year period.

The SQ7 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the SQ7 will retain 49.64% to 49.74% of its original price after five years, while the AMG GLS only retains 42.06%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi SQ7 will be $44655 to $49320 less than for the Mercedes AMG GLS.

The SQ7 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The AMG GLS has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Audi Q7/SQ7 outsold the Mercedes GLS by 35% during the 2021 model year.