Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG GLE CoupeVS 2024 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The Mercedes AMG GLE 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLE Coupe 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 Sportback doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the AMG GLE Coupe and the SQ5 Sportback 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 Coupe weighs 926 to 1246 pounds more than the Audi SQ5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Coupe’s warranty.

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.

The GLE 53 Coupe’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 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The GLE 63 S Coupe’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 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

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

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

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

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

The AMG GLE Coupe 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 Sportback doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG GLE Coupe has larger standard tires than the SQ5 Sportback (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/45R20). The AMG GLE Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 Sportback (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The AMG GLE Coupe’s standard 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5 Sportback’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG GLE Coupe’s optional 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLE Coupe has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5 Sportback. The AMG GLE Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLE Coupe 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 Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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

The AMG GLE Coupe 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 Sportback.

The AMG GLE 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLE Coupe’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the SQ5 Sportback (115.6 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLE Coupe is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 4.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLE Coupe has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5 Sportback.

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

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

The AMG GLE Coupe’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 Sportback.

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

The SQ5 Sportback’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The AMG GLE Coupe’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 Coupe has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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

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. Only the SQ5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The AMG GLE 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG GLE Coupe’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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