Audi Q5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q5

Audi’s mid-size premium SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes' mid-size SUV on the MRA 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 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
Width	1,89 m	1,89 m
Height	1,66 m	1,64 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4/A5)	MRA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the C-Class W205)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	M274/M264 petrol · OM651/OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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.