Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLEVS 2025 Audi new SQ5

The Mercedes AMG GLE 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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLE has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the AMG GLE and the new SQ5 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 lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG GLE weighs 816 to 1103 pounds more than the Audi new SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 GLE’s warranty.

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 GLE 53’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (429 vs. 362) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 406) than the new SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 241 more horsepower (603 vs. 362) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 406) than the new SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the AMG GLE 63 S’ fuel efficiency. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The AMG GLE has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the new SQ5 (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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

The AMG GLE 63 S 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 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG GLE has larger standard tires than the new SQ5 (275/50R20 vs. 255/45R20). The AMG GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the new SQ5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The AMG GLE’s optional 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLE offers optional 22-inch wheels. The new SQ5’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The AMG GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the new SQ5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the new SQ5 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The AMG GLE 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 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The AMG GLE 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.

The AMG GLE’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 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLE’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the new SQ5 (117.9 inches vs. 111 inches).

The AMG GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the new SQ5 can only carry 5.

The AMG GLE has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the new SQ5.

The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the new SQ5 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new SQ5 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

The AMG GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the new SQ5’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG GLE 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 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new SQ5, the AMG GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The new SQ5 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 GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new SQ5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The new SQ5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The AMG GLE 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 new SQ5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 11% during 2024.