Compare the2024 Audi Q3VS 2023 Mercedes GLC Coupe

Both the Q3 and GLC Coupe have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 GLC Coupe’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 Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Q3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the Q3 and the GLC Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 around view monitors.

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GLC Coupe’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q3’s reliability 23 points higher than the GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 first among small premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The GLC Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 gets better mileage than the GLC Coupe:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLC Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the GLC Coupe:

The Q3’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC Coupe’s optional 45 series front tires.

The Q3 is 6.7 inches shorter than the GLC Coupe, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 17.6 cubic feet).

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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q3 has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because it costs $91 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the GLC Coupe, including $205 less for a water pump, $472 less for a muffler, $162 less for front brake pads, $152 less for fuel injection, $211 less for a fuel pump and $131 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance.