Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG GLBVS 2023 Audi SQ5

The Mercedes AMG GLB 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLB’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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLB and the SQ5 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, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG GLB’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the AMG GLB has a standard 800-amp battery. The SQ5’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 50 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLB 35 gets better fuel mileage than the SQ5 (21 city/27 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The AMG GLB offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SQ5 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG GLB’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG GLB’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 SQ5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Mercedes AMG GLB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Audi SQ5.

The AMG GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the SQ5 can only carry 5.

The AMG GLB has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5.

The front step up height for the AMG GLB is 2 inches lower than the SQ5 (17” vs. 19”). The AMG GLB’s rear step up height is 2.2 inches lower than the SQ5’s (17.5” vs. 19.7”).

The AMG GLB’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ5.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the AMG GLB easier. The AMG GLB’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the SQ5’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The AMG GLB’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5’s in almost every dimension:

The AMG GLB has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The AMG GLB’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG GLB offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG GLB also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The AMG GLB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

The AMG GLB 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG GLB’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Insurance will cost less for the AMG GLB owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG GLB will cost $875 to $1620 less than the SQ5 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG GLB will be $1244 to $8091 less than for the Audi SQ5.