Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG GLEVS 2024 Audi SQ5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mercedes AMG GLE 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 GLE has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The AMG 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG GLE and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG GLE weighs 992 to 1279 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the Audi SQ5:

	AMG GLE	SQ5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	284
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	215 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	44 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	34%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	134 lbs.

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 AMG GLE is safer than the Audi SQ5:

	AMG GLE	SQ5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	60
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	185
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	677 lbs.	817 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	35 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes AMG GLE is safer than the SQ5:

	AMG GLE	SQ5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	50	96
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	232	346
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	223 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.54 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1116 lbs.	1249 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 67 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SQ5 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

Warranty

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 GLE’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 20 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.

Engine

The AMG GLE 53’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (429 vs. 349) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 254 more horsepower (603 vs. 349) and 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG GLE 63 S 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Audi SQ5:

	AMG GLE	SQ5
Zero to 60 MPH	3.2 sec	5.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.1 sec	13 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.6 sec	6.1 sec
Quarter Mile	11.6 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	118 MPH	102 MPH
Top Speed	174 MPH	127 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the AMG GLE 63 S’ fuel efficiency. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The AMG GLE has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the SQ5.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	AMG GLE 53	AMG GLE 63 S CCB	SQ5
Front Rotors	15.8 inches	16.5 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	13 inches

The AMG GLE 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the AMG GLE has larger standard tires than the SQ5 (275/50R20 vs. 255/45R20). The AMG GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The AMG GLE’s optional 325/35R22 rear 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLE offers optional 22-inch wheels. The SQ5’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The AMG GLE offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the AMG GLE uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG GLE 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 SQ5.

The AMG 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLE’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the SQ5 (117.9 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLE is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 4.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ5.

Passenger Space

The AMG GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the SQ5 can only carry 5.

The AMG GLE has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

Cargo Capacity

The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 25.9 cubic feet). The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

Towing

The AMG GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The AMG GLE’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and 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 optional on the AMG GLE 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.

The SQ5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG GLE’s 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.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The AMG GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the SQ5.

The AMG GLE 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 GLE’s 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.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 138 units during 2022.