Compare the2023 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2022 Mercedes AMG GLE

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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Both the SQ5 Sportback and AMG GLE have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback 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 GLE’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 SQ5 Sportback 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 GLE 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.

The SQ5 Sportback’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 AMG GLE.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the AMG GLE 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi SQ5 Sportback is safer than the Mercedes AMG GLE:

	SQ5 Sportback	AMG GLE
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	24%
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	301/184 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	209
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	31 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	401/438 lbs.

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 Audi SQ5 Sportback is safer than the Mercedes AMG GLE:

	SQ5 Sportback	AMG GLE
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	151 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	287 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	219	264
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	35 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	615 lbs.

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

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 Sportback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 110 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLE has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The SQ5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the AMG GLE:

			MPG
SQ5 Sportback
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	19 city/24 hwy
AMG GLE
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/22 hwy
		4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	15 city/19 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG GLE requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Tires and Wheels

The SQ5 Sportback’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 AMG GLE’s standard 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the AMG GLE’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The Audi SQ5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1200 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLE.

The SQ5 Sportback is 9.8 inches shorter than the AMG GLE 53, making the SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi SQ5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the AMG GLE (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

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.

Ergonomics

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.