Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q3

Audi’s compact premium SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes' mid-size SUV on the MRA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for quattro, the 530-litre boot and the 1.5 TFSI’s cylinder-on-demand.

Best engine: The mid-range 1.5 TFSI petrol for the best everyday balance — or the 2.0 TDI for high mileage.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Pick the GLC for space, comfort and efficient engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The GLC 220 d (diesel) or GLC 250 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs M274 GLC 250 · Petrol

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Power	150 hp	211 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	350 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	7,3 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	222 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	121,6 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km Winner	152 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km Winner	6,5 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Boot	530 L	550 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L	1.600 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,87 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,66 m
Width	1,86 m	1,89 m
Height	1,62 m	1,64 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	MRA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the C-Class W205)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI	M274/M264 petrol · OM651/OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	9G-TRONIC automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG): mechatronics are the best-known weak point
Direct-injection petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips
DPF on diesels with mainly short trips

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Early OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/NOx watch-points
9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
COMAND/MBUX software glitches (mostly fixed via updates)

Pros

Audi Q3

quattro available on the 2.0-litre engines
530-litre boot (1525 litres folded)
1.5 TFSI (35) has cylinder-on-demand

Mercedes-Benz GLC

550 L boot growing to ~1,600 L — roomy for a mid-size SUV
Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (GLC 220 d: 194 hp / 400 Nm)
MRA rear-wheel-drive platform with optional 4MATIC
GLC 350 e PHEV: 320 hp system output and 560 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

Audi Q3

S line suspension rides firmly
quattro is 2.0-litre engines only — entry models are front-wheel drive

Mercedes-Benz GLC

OM651/OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
PHEV (GLC 350 e) shrinks boot space (395 L)
Complex electronics and air suspension need dealer maintenance

Driving experience

Audi Q3

As a model line, the Q3 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 1.5 TFSI is the one to have, the 2.0 TDI is the high-mileage pick and the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.