Compare the2025 Mercedes GLE CoupeVS 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. KQAEI-O5DIC 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/06/25

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE Coupe have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GLE Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mercedes GLE Coupe has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its available Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, the Mercedes GLE Coupe is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q5 Sportback, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-23 MPH	-2 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	-24 MPH	-2 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-22 MPH	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	1.8 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	-8 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	.9 sec	No Warning

Both the GLE Coupe and the Q5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLE Coupe weighs 937 pounds more than the Audi Q5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE Coupe is safer than the Audi Q5 Sportback:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	284
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	215 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	44 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	34%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	134 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the GLE Coupe is much safer than the Q5 Sportback:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE Coupe is safer than the Audi Q5 Sportback:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	60
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	185
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	677 lbs.	817 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	35 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLE Coupe is safer than the Q5 Sportback:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	50	96
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	232	346
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	223 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.54 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1116 lbs.	1249 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mercedes GLE Coupe (with optional crash prevention) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Q5 Sportback is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLE Coupe’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 57 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

Engine

The GLE Coupe’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (375 vs. 261) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLE Coupe has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Sportback (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLE Coupe higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 Sportback (4). This means the GLE Coupe produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5 Sportback.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5 Sportback:

	GLE Coupe	Q5 Sportback
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE Coupe has larger standard tires than the Q5 Sportback (275/50R20 vs. 235/55R19). The GLE Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 Sportback (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The GLE Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 Sportback’s standard 55 series tires. The GLE Coupe’s optional 325/35R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE Coupe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q5 Sportback. The GLE Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE Coupe offers an available or off-road. The Q5 Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE Coupe has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE Coupe’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE Coupe’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE Coupe’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the Q5 Sportback (115.6 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE Coupe is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Q5 Sportback.

Passenger Space

The GLE Coupe has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5 Sportback.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE Coupe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat up (31.6 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The GLE Coupe has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (64.1 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

Towing

The GLE Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5 Sportback’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLE Coupe uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5 Sportback, the GLE Coupe has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE Coupe’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5 Sportback.

The GLE Coupe’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLE Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The Q5 Sportback’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLE Coupe’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE Coupe has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Mercedes GLE Coupe has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Q5 Sportback.

The GLE Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5 Sportback.

Compared to traditional radio, the Mercedes GLE Coupe’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q5 Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The GLE Coupe offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLE Coupe’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Recommendations

The Mercedes GLE outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 11% during 2024.

See Available Inventory