Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Audi e-tron Sportback

The 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 GLE is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

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 GLE is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

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 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.

For better traction, the GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron Sportback (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The 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 e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the e-tron Sportback.

The 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the e-tron Sportback (117.9 inches vs. 115 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the e-tron Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Mercedes GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1150 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the e-tron Sportback can only carry 5.

The GLE has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLE’s middle row seats recline. The e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron Sportback’s (5950 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi e-tron Sportback is only 4000 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The GLE’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 e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The GLE offers an optional 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLE will cost $2020 less than the e-tron Sportback over a five-year period.