Audi Q2 GA vs Mercedes-Benz GLE W167

Audi Q2

GA · 2016 – 2026

The first-generation Q2 (GA), Audi’s compact crossover.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q2

Pick the Q2 for a compact, agile premium SUV with efficient engines.

Best engine: The 30/35 TFSI (petrol).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Pick the GLE for space, comfort and powerful engines in a large premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLE 300 d / GLE 350 d (diesel) or GLE 450 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

	Audi Q2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	150 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,5 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	211 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	111,1 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	128 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,6 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	405 L	630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.050 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,60 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,19 m	4,92 m
Ground clearance	14,7 cm	20,5 cm
Turning circle	11,1 m Winner	12,0 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.600 kg	3.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q2	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	MQB A1 (transverse)	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 1.0/1.4/1.5 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (DSG)	9-speed 9G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q2

DQ200 DSG service
Infotainment (early cars)
Water pump needs checking

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
MBUX/electronics glitches (mostly fixed via updates)

Pros

Audi Q2

Compact and city-friendly
Good all-round visibility
Efficient TFSI engines

Mercedes-Benz GLE

630 L boot growing to ~2,055 L — roomy for a large SUV
GLE 450: 367 hp I6 with EQ Boost (48V) and 500 Nm
OM656 2.9 I6 diesel (GLE 350 d: 272 hp / 600 Nm)
GLE 400 e PHEV: 381 hp and 650 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

Audi Q2

Firm ride
Small boot and dated early infotainment

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM654/OM656 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
PHEV shrinks boot space (~490 L)
Complex air suspension and electronics need dealer maintenance

Driving experience

Audi Q2

Comfortable, quiet and more premium than its size suggests. The Q2 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting, rides firmly but acceptably, and feels planted and easy to place. Front-drive versions are efficient; quattro adds strong traction on the 2.0-litre cars. The 1.5 TFSI is smooth and willing, the 2.0 TDI is the economical distance choice, and the 2.0 TFSI adds genuine pace. The S tronic is quick. It is a polished, techy small crossover that trades a little boot and rear space for a more premium feel than the T-Cross.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Serene, isolating and quietly opulent. Steering is light and relaxed, the ride hushed and composed, and the GLE smothers rough roads and motorway miles alike. 4MATIC adds unflappable all-weather security without asking anything of the driver. AIRMATIC air suspension, where fitted, glides over poor surfaces with real polish. The M256 inline-six is silky with its 48-volt assist, the OM654/OM656 diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the GLE 400 e plug-in glides on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts almost imperceptibly. Overall a calm, tech-rich luxury SUV built to isolate, not involve.