Audi Q5 FY vs Mercedes-Benz GLE W167

Audi Q5

FY · 2016 – 2024

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

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W167 · 2018 – 2026

The second-generation GLE on the MHA platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the FY for the refined, roomy Q5 with quattro and the strong 40 TDI diesel — ideally a well-kept example.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (diesel) or 40 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

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	245 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	370 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	6,3 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	237 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	550 L	630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,82 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,66 m	4,92 m
Ground clearance	20,0 cm	20,5 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m Winner	12,0 m
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	3.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base)
Drive	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 45/50/55 TFSI e PHEV	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	9-speed 9G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d
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 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 Q5

Refined, composed ride (quattro)
Efficient, torquey EA288 diesel
High-grade interior

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 Q5

Firm ride on S line / big wheels
Pricier than most rivals

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 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 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.