Compare the2025 Audi SQ5VS 2025 Mercedes AMG GLE

Both the SQ5 and AMG GLE have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 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’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 AMG GLE.

Both the SQ5 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, driver alert monitors 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 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 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’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 gets better mileage than the AMG GLE:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG GLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5’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.

The SQ5 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the AMG GLE 63 S pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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

For greater off-road capability the SQ5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLE (8.2 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the SQ5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Audi SQ5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1300 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLE.

The SQ5 is 10.1 inches shorter than the AMG GLE 53, making the SQ5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi SQ5 amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 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 get better fuel mileage.

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

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 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLE doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The SQ5 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 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ5 will cost $4490 to $7810 less than the AMG GLE over a five-year period.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Mercedes GLE by 18% during 2023.