Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG GLAVS 2023 Audi SQ5

The Mercedes AMG GLA 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 GLA’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 GLA and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 GLA’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 GLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (382 vs. 349) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

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

The AMG GLA 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.

For better stopping power the AMG GLA 45’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The AMG GLA’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 GLA 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 GLA’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.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLA 35’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the SQ5’s (37.9 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The AMG GLA 45’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the SQ5’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Mercedes AMG GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 650 pounds less than the Audi SQ5.

The AMG GLA is 9.7 inches shorter than the SQ5, making the AMG GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG GLA has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the AMG GLA easier. The AMG GLA’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the SQ5’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The AMG GLA 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 GLA’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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG GLA to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The SQ5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

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

The AMG GLA 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 GLA 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 GLA’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, 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 GLA owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG GLA will cost $1055 to $2170 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 GLA will be $3899 to $5155 less than for the Audi SQ5.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLA first among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The SQ5 isn’t in the top three.