Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG GLEVS 2023 Audi RS Q8

The Mercedes AMG GLE 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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLE’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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLE and the RS Q8 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, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and 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 Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Audi RS Q8:

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 Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Audi RS Q8:

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

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 GLE’s warranty.

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.

The AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (603 vs. 591) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 590) than the RS Q8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLE gets better mileage than the RS Q8:

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RS Q8.

The AMG GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the RS Q8; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The AMG GLE’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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLE is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RS Q8.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLE’s turning circle is 4.1 feet tighter than the RS Q8’s (39.4 feet vs. 43.5 feet).

The Mercedes AMG GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 400 pounds less than the Audi RS Q8.

The AMG GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RS Q8 can only carry 5.

The AMG GLE has 3.4 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the RS Q8.

The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RS Q8 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RS Q8 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the AMG GLE’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The RS Q8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLE uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RS Q8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RS Q8, the AMG GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The RS Q8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The RS Q8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG GLE’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The RS Q8 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The AMG GLE 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 RS Q8 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the AMG GLE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG GLE will cost $2105 less than the RS Q8 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG GLE will be $33018 less than for the Audi RS Q8.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by almost 8 to one during the 2022 model year.