Compare the2023 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLA

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi SQ5 Sportback are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG GLA doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and AMG GLA have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG GLA’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The SQ5 Sportback’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLA.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the AMG GLA 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 and available around view monitors.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback weighs 485 to 679 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLA. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 Sportback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLA has not been tested, yet.

The SQ5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 18 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 47 more horsepower (349 vs. 302) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the AMG GLA 35’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the AMG GLA 45’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the SQ5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG GLA requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5 Sportback has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLA (18.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi SQ5 Sportback higher (5 out of 10) than the Mercedes AMG GLA (3 to 5). This means the SQ5 Sportback produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the AMG GLA every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the SQ5 Sportback has larger tires than the AMG GLA (255/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

The SQ5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLA’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ5 Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLA.

The SQ5 Sportback 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 AMG GLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG GLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The SQ5 Sportback has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the AMG GLA (111 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The design of the Audi SQ5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the AMG GLA (.35 to .36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The SQ5 Sportback has 1.8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLA.

The SQ5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLA with its rear seat up (24.7 vs. 15.4 cubic feet). The SQ5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLA with its rear seat folded (51.9 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the SQ5 Sportback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The SQ5 Sportback has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The AMG GLA has no towing capacity.

The engine in the SQ5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG GLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the SQ5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The SQ5 Sportback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the AMG GLA. The SQ5 Sportback also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG GLA.

On extremely cold winter days, the SQ5 Sportback’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback outsold the Mercedes GLA by over four to one during 2022.