Compare the2026 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2026 Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe

Both the SQ5 Sportback and AMG GLC Coupe 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 GLC Coupe’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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi SQ5 Sportback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe has not been tested.

The SQ5 Sportback’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 Coupe.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback offers an optional Top View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Mercedes AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the AMG GLC Coupe 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 around view monitors.

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

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the SQ5 Sportback for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 1 visits). Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLC Coupe.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 369) than the AMG GLC 43 Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the AMG GLC Coupe running its gasoline engine:

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

The SQ5 Sportback offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ5 Sportback uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the AMG GLC Coupe, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The SQ5 Sportback has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The SQ5 Sportback’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the AMG GLC Coupe’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the SQ5 Sportback has a 3.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the AMG GLC 63 S E Coupe (9.5 vs. 5.7 inches), allowing the SQ5 Sportback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The SQ5 Sportback’s minimum ground clearance is 3.3 inches higher than on the AMG GLC 43 Coupe (9.5 vs. 6.2 inches).

The SQ5 Sportback is 3 inches shorter than the AMG GLC Coupe, making the SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SQ5 Sportback has .4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLC Coupe.

The SQ5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (25.4 vs. 21.5 cubic feet). The SQ5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (53.3 vs. 52.6 cubic feet).

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

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the SQ5 Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG GLC Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG GLC Coupe.

Compared to traditional radio, the Audi SQ5 Sportback’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the AMG GLC Coupe.