Compare the2025 Audi SQ5VS 2025 Mercedes AMG GLC

Both the SQ5 and AMG GLC 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 GLC’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 GLC.

Both the SQ5 and the AMG GLC 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The SQ5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC’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.

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

The SQ5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC 43’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The SQ5 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons).

The SQ5 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 AMG GLC; it requires you to depend on its optional 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.

The SQ5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The SQ5’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the AMG GLC 43’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the SQ5 has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance (8.2 vs. 5.7 inches), allowing the SQ5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The SQ5’s minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the AMG GLC 43 (8.2 vs. 6.2 inches).

The Audi SQ5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 850 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLC.

The SQ5 has .2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear legroom than the AMG GLC.

The SQ5 has a much larger cargo volume than the AMG GLC with its rear seat up (25.9 vs. 21.9 cubic feet).

The SQ5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the AMG GLC’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

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 GLC doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the SQ5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 GLC.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 84% during 2023.