Compare the2023 Audi SQ8VS 2022 Mercedes AMG GLC

Both the SQ8 and AMG GLC have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ8 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 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 SQ8 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 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the SQ8’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the SQ8 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 GLC doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The SQ8’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLC.

Both the SQ8 and the AMG GLC 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The Audi SQ8 weighs 1118 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLC. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ8 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 164 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLC has not been tested, yet.

The SQ8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC’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.

The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 115 more horsepower (500 vs. 385) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC’s 3.0 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the SQ8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The SQ8 has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC (22.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the SQ8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLC:

For better traction, the SQ8 has larger tires than the AMG GLC (285/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ8 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLC 43. The SQ8’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the AMG GLC 43.

The SQ8 Prestige 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 GLC doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The SQ8 Prestige offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the AMG GLC.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ8’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the AMG GLC (117.9 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the SQ8 is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the AMG GLC.

The SQ8 has .8 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLC.

The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC with its rear seat folded (60.7 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

The SQ8’s cargo area is larger than the AMG GLC’s in almost every dimension:

The SQ8’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the AMG GLC’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

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.

The SQ8’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The AMG GLC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A manual rear sunshade and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the SQ8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The SQ8 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG GLC.

The SQ8 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG GLC.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi SQ8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG GLC.

The SQ8 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The AMG GLC’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The SQ8 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the SQ8 will retain 51.44% to 52% of its original price after five years, while the AMG GLC only retains 45.82% to 47.5%.