Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLC CoupeVS 2025 Audi new SQ5 Sportback

The AMG GLC Coupe’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe 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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the AMG GLC Coupe and the new SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 lane departure warning systems.

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 GLC Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLC Coupe first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The new SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The AMG GLC 43 Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (416 vs. 362) than the new SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 309 more horsepower (671 vs. 362) and 346 lbs.-ft. more torque (752 vs. 406) than the new SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe running on electricity gets better mileage than the new SQ5 Sportback (36 city/26 hwy MPGe vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

The AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe can travel with zero emissions for 1 miles. The new SQ5 Sportback can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new SQ5 Sportback.

For better stopping power the AMG GLC Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new SQ5 Sportback:

The AMG GLC Coupe 63 S E Performance offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG GLC Coupe has larger tires than the new SQ5 Sportback (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The AMG GLC Coupe’s standard 295/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new SQ5 Sportback’s standard 45 series tires. The AMG GLC Coupe’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the new SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

The AMG GLC Coupe 63 S E Performance offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the new SQ5 Sportback.

The AMG GLC Coupe’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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLC Coupe’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the new SQ5 Sportback (113.7 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

The AMG GLC Coupe has .9 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the new SQ5 Sportback.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLC Coupe 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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new SQ5 Sportback, the AMG GLC Coupe 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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG GLC Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The AMG GLC Coupe’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new SQ5 Sportback’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The AMG GLC Coupe 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 new SQ5 Sportback.

and e Mercedes AMG GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the Audi new SQ5 Sportback isn’t available as a .

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 17% during 2024.