Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

Audi Q3

Audi’s compact premium SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for maximum interior space, a bigger boot and modern technology.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel).

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 Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	150 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	530 L	630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,92 m
Width	1,86 m	1,95 m
Height	1,62 m	1,80 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 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 6d-TEMP (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

Infotainment software (early cars)
S tronic maintenance (DQ200 models)
Cooling system needs checking
DPF on diesels

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 Q3

Roomy interior & big boot
Modern tech (Virtual Cockpit)
Modular EA 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 Q3

Early infotainment quirks
Pricier than the VW Tiguan on the same platform

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 Q3

Comfortable, quiet and easy to place. The Q3 rides well over poor surfaces, stays settled at motorway speed, and steers accurately with light, consistent weighting. 2.0-litre cars use quattro, which adds strong traction in wet conditions and inspires confidence. The 1.5 TFSI is adequate but nothing more; the 45 TFSI is genuinely quick; the 2.0 TDI is the best all-rounder — torquey, economical and smooth at a cruise. The S tronic is sharp around town. Body control is good for a high-riding SUV, though the Q3 is set up for comfort rather than driver involvement.

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.