Audi Q5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

Audi Q5

Audi’s mid-size premium SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes' compact SUV on the MFA2 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the Q5 for quattro, the 550-litre boot and the 40 TDI’s 400 Nm.

Best engine: The mid-range 2.0 TDI diesel for the best balance of economy and torque — or the 2.0 TFSI petrol.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Pick the GLA for a raised driving position, space and efficient engines in a compact premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLA 200 (petrol) or GLA 200 d / GLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs M282 GLA 200 · Petrol

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Power	245 hp Winner	163 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,3 s Winner	8,7 s
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	210 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t Winner	110,1 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	140 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	5,9 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Boot	550 L Winner	435 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L Winner	1.430 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,73 m
Length	4,66 m	4,41 m
Width	1,89 m	1,83 m
Height	1,66 m	1,61 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4/A5)	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177, B-Class W247 and CLA C118)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)
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 Q5

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point
EA288 diesels: AdBlue/SCR needs attention with mainly short trips
Direct-injection petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips

Mercedes-Benz GLA

M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)

Pros

Audi Q5

quattro standard
550-litre boot (1550 litres folded)
40 TDI has 400 Nm

Mercedes-Benz GLA

435 L boot growing to ~1,430 L — roomy for a subcompact SUV
Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (GLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm, ~4.8 L/100 km)
MFA2 platform with MBUX and optional 4MATIC
GLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

Audi Q5

S tronic/tiptronic only — no manual gearbox
S line suspension rides firmly on large wheels

Mercedes-Benz GLA

OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
Dual-clutch gearbox needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
Early M282 (1.3): elevated oil consumption reported

Driving experience

Audi Q5

As a model line, the Q5 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Quattro gives reassuring, planted traction in all conditions. The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 2.0 TFSI is smooth, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.