Audi Q6 e-tron GF vs Mercedes-Benz GLE W166

Audi Q6 e-tron

GF · 2024 – 2026

The first-generation Q6 e-tron (GF), on the PPE 800V platform.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q6 e-tron

Pick the GF for the modern Q6 e-tron with 800-volt fast charging, long range and the digital cockpit — ideally the quattro with the larger battery.

Best engine: The quattro (388 hp) with the larger battery.

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 250 d (diesel) or GLE 350 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

quattro · Electric vs M276 GLE 350 · Petrol

	Audi Q6 e-tron	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	388 hp Winner	306 hp
Torque	855 Nm Winner	370 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,9 s Winner	7,5 s
Top speed	210 km/h	235 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	165,1 hp/t Winner	142,3 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	0 g/km Winner	185 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	—	7,9 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q6 e-tron	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	526 L	690 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.529 L	2.010 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,90 m	2,92 m Winner
Length	4,77 m	4,82 m
Ground clearance	17,6 cm	21,0 cm
Turning circle	12,1 m	11,8 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	3.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q6 e-tron	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	PPE (800-volt)	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	Electric motors · RWD / quattro (PPE 800V)	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	Single-speed automatic	7-speed 7G-TRONIC
Fuel	Electric	Petrol
Euro standard	N/A (electric)	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q6 e-tron

Software/electronics gremlins on early 2024 cars
Long-term battery & drivetrain data still limited
PPE 800V system: high-voltage check recommended

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/NOx issues possible
OM642 V6 diesel: oil cooler / intake manifold issues
7G-TRONIC: judder or delayed engagement if fluid is neglected
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

Pros

Audi Q6 e-tron

800-volt fast charging
Competitive range (larger battery)
Modern digital cockpit

Mercedes-Benz GLE

690 L boot growing to ~2,010 L — roomy for a large SUV
OM651 2.1 diesel (GLE 250 d: 204 hp / 500 Nm) for pulling power
V6/V8 options (GLE 350 / GLE 500) for smooth performance

Cons

Audi Q6 e-tron

Limited long-term reliability data
Early software quirks

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651/OM642 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/DPF need checking
7G-TRONIC needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

Driving experience

Audi Q6 e-tron

Quiet, quick and far more efficient than the old e-tron. The Q6 rides comfortably, steers accurately with decent weighting, and feels more agile and lighter on its feet than the GE, helped by the newer PPE platform. Rear-drive is the base; dual-motor quattro adds pace and all-wheel traction. The 800-volt architecture charges far faster on suitable chargers, and the larger battery delivers competitive real-world range. It is a more modern, more rounded electric SUV than the e-tron, with the same hushed refinement and without the efficiency penalty of the early car.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Big, comfortable and more truck-like than the GLC. The W166 rides with a soft, absorbent gait, especially on AIRMATIC, steers lightly with little feedback, and feels genuinely large and commanding from behind the wheel. 4MATIC is standard and gives confident traction, though this is a comfort-first car rather than an agile one. The M276 V6 petrol is smooth and strong, the OM642 diesel is the towing and distance workhorse, and the 500 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The 7G/9G automatic is smooth. It is a spacious, comfortable large SUV built for comfort, space and towing, not for keen driving.