Compare the2024 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2024 Mercedes AMG GLE

Both the SQ5 Sportback and AMG GLE have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback 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 AMG GLE’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 SQ5 Sportback’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLE.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the AMG GLE 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 around view monitors.

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

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 Audi SQ5 Sportback is safer than the Mercedes AMG GLE:

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

The SQ5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLE’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the AMG GLE:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG GLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5 Sportback’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer launch control.

The SQ5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLE’s standard 50 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the AMG GLE’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Audi SQ5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1250 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLE.

The SQ5 Sportback is 9.8 inches shorter than the AMG GLE 53, making the SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi SQ5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the AMG GLE (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The SQ5 Sportback has .6 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more rear headroom than the AMG GLE.

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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The SQ5 Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG GLE.

Insurance will cost less for the SQ5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ5 Sportback will cost $2185 to $6275 less than the AMG GLE over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi SQ5 Sportback will be $17491 to $51098 less than for the Mercedes AMG GLE.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback outsold the Mercedes GLE by 18% during 2023.