Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2022 Mercedes GLC

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Q3 and GLC have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 GLC’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 Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 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 GLC 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the GLC.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Q3’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 GLC.

Both the Q3 and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 and available around view monitors.

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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Mercedes GLC:

	Q3	GLC
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	117 lbs.
Hip Force	333 lbs.	409 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	632 lbs.	784 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	485 lbs.	787 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GLC’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Q3’s reliability 23 points higher than the GLC.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 18 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLC requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLC (6). This means the Q3 produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLC every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Q3 stops shorter than the GLC:

	Q3	GLC
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Q3’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 GLC’s standard 60 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the GLC’s optional 45 series tires.

Chassis

The Q3 is 6.7 inches shorter than the GLC, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the Q3 is 2.5 inches lower than the GLC (17.5” vs. 20”). The Q3’s rear step up height is 4.5 inches lower than the GLC’s (18” vs. 22.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Q3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q3 will cost $520 less than the GLC over a five-year period.

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the GLC only retains 44.8% to 45.61%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the GLC because it costs $91 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the GLC, including $205 less for a water pump, $472 less for a muffler, $162 less for front brake pads, $152 less for fuel injection, $211 less for a fuel pump and $131 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q3 will be $11805 to $15669 less than for the Mercedes GLC.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLC isn't recommended.