Audi Q5 FY vs Mercedes-Benz GLC X253

Audi Q5

FY · 2016 – 2024

The second-generation Q5 (FY), on MLB Evo.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

X253 · 2015 – 2022

The first-generation GLC on the MRA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the FY for the 3.0 TDI’s 620 Nm and quattro — ideally a post-facelift car with MIB3 touchscreen.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (diesel) or 40 TFSI (petrol).

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

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs M274 GLC 250 · Petrol

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Power	245 hp Winner	211 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	350 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,3 s Winner	7,3 s
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	222 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t Winner	121,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	152 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	6,5 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Boot	550 L	550 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	1.600 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,87 m Winner
Length	4,66 m	4,66 m
Ground clearance	20,0 cm	12,3 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m	11,8 m
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MRA (rear-wheel-drive base)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 45/50/55 TFSI e PHEV	M274/M264 petrol · OM651/OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	9-speed 9G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q5

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early cars
AdBlue/SCR issues on 2.0 TDI diesels
Early MMI infotainment quirks

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 Q5

55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid does ~50 km electric
3.0 TDI (50) has 286 hp and 620 Nm
Air suspension optional

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 Q5

55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid cuts boot space from 550 down to 465 litres
Pre-facelift MIB2 infotainment has no touchscreen

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 Q5

Refined, effortless and supremely polished. Steering is light and accurate rather than talkative, the ride is supple and isolating, and the Q5 settles into a calm, confident lope. quattro ultra shuffles torque seamlessly for all-weather security, though it favours safe, neutral grip over playful engagement. Adaptive suspension keeps it composed and hushed on rough roads. The 40/45 TFSI petrols are smooth and willing, the 2.0 TDI pulls strongly and sips fuel, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in glides on electric power. The 7-speed S tronic is quick and smooth; the V6 8-speed tiptronic even more so. Overall a quiet, tech-rich SUV that puts long-distance comfort and easy confidence ahead of outright driver involvement.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Comfortable, quiet and more car-like than its height suggests. The GLC steers accurately with light, consistent weighting, rides well on the standard suspension, and stays hushed at motorway speeds. 4MATIC is standard on most versions and adds sure-footed traction without altering the relaxed character. The M274/M264 petrols are smooth and willing, the OM654 diesel is the economical distance choice, and the 300 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts unobtrusively. It is a well-rounded, easy-to-live-with compact SUV that does everything competently.