Compare the2024 Mercedes GLCVS 2024 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The GLC has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its available Active Distance Assist Distronic, the Mercedes GLC is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q3, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	GLC	Q3
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2.1 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	-26 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1 sec	No Warning

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GLC 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 Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The GLC’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLC and the Q3 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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 GLC is safer than the Q3:

	GLC	Q3
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	108	190
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	335 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.06 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.22 in
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	736 lbs.	1406 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	240	329
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.38 in	2.01 in
Shoulder Force	67 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.73 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	558 lbs.	1049 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mercedes GLC achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Q3 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

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 GLC’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the GLC has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (255 vs. 184) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLC is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	GLC	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.8 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
GLC
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/32 hwy
Q3
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLC’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLC has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q3 (6 to 7). This means the GLC produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q3 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

	GLC	GLC	Q3
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	14.6 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	11.8 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			12.2 inches

The GLC stops much shorter than the Q3:

	GLC	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The GLC’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 Q3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Q3 (113.1 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .87 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Q3 (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The GLC has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The GLC has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (56.3 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The GLC’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in every dimension:

	GLC	Q3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/67.4”	34”/65”
Height	29.2”	28”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GLC’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’s (5291 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the GLC 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 Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Q3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GLC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q3, the GLC 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.

The GLC’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. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLC offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLC has standard Keyless-Go that allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

The GLC’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLC’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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLC to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Q3 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the GLC is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the GLC and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The GLC also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GLC keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the GLC’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q3.

The GLC offers an optional 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The Q3 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Audi Q3 by 81% during 2023.

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