Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG GLC CoupeVS 2023 Audi SQ8

The AMG GLC Coupe’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The SQ8 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG GLC Coupe has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The SQ8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG GLC Coupe’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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLC Coupe and the SQ8 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

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 GLC Coupe’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.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLC 43 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the SQ8 (17 city/24 hwy vs. 14 city/20 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi SQ8 (3). This means the AMG GLC Coupe produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ8 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the SQ8.

The AMG GLC Coupe 63 S offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The SQ8 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The AMG GLC 43 Coupe’s standard 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ8’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG GLC 43 Coupe’s optional 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the SQ8’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLC Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG GLC Coupe’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 SQ8 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLC Coupe’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 pounds less than the Audi SQ8.

The AMG GLC Coupe is 9.6 inches shorter than the SQ8, making the AMG GLC Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe amounts to more than styling. The AMG GLC Coupe has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .37 Cd. That is lower than the SQ8 (.4). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the AMG GLC Coupe get better fuel mileage.

The AMG GLC Coupe has 1.8 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the SQ8.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the AMG GLC Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLC Coupe 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the SQ8, the AMG GLC Coupe has standard driver and 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 nozzles are standard on the AMG GLC Coupe to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The SQ8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The SQ8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG GLC Coupe’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.

The AMG GLC Coupe 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the AMG GLC Coupe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG GLC Coupe will cost $2525 to $4840 less than the SQ8 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe will be $8478 to $20739 less than for the Audi SQ8.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by almost seven to one during 2022.