Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG GLAVS 2024 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The Mercedes AMG GLA 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 GLA’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 GLA and the SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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 GLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLA third among small premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLA 35 gets better fuel mileage than the SQ5 Sportback (22 city/28 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The AMG GLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG GLA’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG GLA’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.

The Mercedes AMG GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Audi SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLA is 10 inches shorter than the SQ5 Sportback, making the AMG GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG GLA has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the SQ5 Sportback.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the AMG GLA easier. The AMG GLA’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the SQ5 Sportback’s liftover is 29 inches.

The AMG GLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature 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.

The AMG GLA’s standard Keyless-Go allow 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. Keyless Start standard on the SQ5 Sportback only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLA 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 GLA’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 GLA 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 GLA has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the SQ5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The AMG GLA 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 GLA’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.

Insurance will cost less for the AMG GLA owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG GLA will cost $1810 to $3580 less than the SQ5 Sportback over a five-year period.

The AMG GLA will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the AMG GLA will retain 53.9% to 54.09% of its original price after five years, while the SQ5 Sportback only retains 49.83% to 52.41%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG GLA will be $12403 to $13867 less than for the Audi SQ5 Sportback.