Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG GLSVS 2023 Audi SQ7

The Mercedes AMG GLS 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLS’ standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The AMG GLS’ 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLS and the SQ7 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Mercedes AMG GLS weighs 728 pounds more than the Audi SQ7. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 GLS’ 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 GLS’ 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 103 more horsepower (603 vs. 500) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 568) than the SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the AMG GLS’ fuel efficiency. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The AMG GLS has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ7 (23.8 vs. 22.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLS higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi SQ7 (3). This means the AMG GLS produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ7 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the SQ7.

The AMG GLS stops shorter than the SQ7:

For better traction and acceleration, the AMG GLS has larger standard rear tires than the SQ7 (315/45R21 vs. 285/40R21). The AMG GLS’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the SQ7 (325/40R22 vs. 285/40R21).

The AMG GLS’ optional 325/35R23 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ7’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLS offers optional 23-inch wheels. The SQ7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The AMG GLS has a standard space-saver spare (not available w/Burmaster 3D Surround Sound) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the SQ7; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The AMG GLS’ 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLS’ wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the SQ7 (123.4 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLS is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ7.

The AMG GLS 63 handles at .92 G’s, while the SQ7 Premium Plus pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLS’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the SQ7’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

The AMG GLS has 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more third row headroom, 5.4 inches more third row legroom and .9 inches more third row shoulder room than the SQ7.

The AMG GLS’ cargo area provides more volume than the SQ7.

The AMG GLS’ cargo area is larger than the SQ7’s in almost every dimension:

The AMG GLS has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The SQ7 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the AMG GLS’ second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The SQ7 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLS 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG GLS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The SQ7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The SQ7’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG GLS’ standard 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.

The AMG GLS has standard heated front and middle row seats and optional heated third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Audi doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the SQ7.

The AMG GLS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The SQ7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The AMG GLS offers an optional center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

The AMG GLS has standard massaging front seats. Massaging front seats cost extra on the SQ7, and are only available on the SQ7 Prestige. The AMG GLS also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the SQ7.

The AMG GLS 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes GLS outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by 49% during the 2022 model year.