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Audi Q5 vs Mercedes S-Class comparison

Compare performance (367 HP vs 635 HP), boot space and price (46,400 £ vs 104,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi Q5 or Mercedes S-Class?

Audi Q5 vs Mercedes S-Class: Key differences

Audi Q5

4.1 (8 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • moderately lighter
details

Mercedes S-Class

  • substantially more power
  • moderately more efficient
  • a bit more electric range
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
  • only slightly more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Q5

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Audi Q5 is substantially cheaper – starting at 46,400 £ , while the Mercedes S-Class costs 104,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 57,648 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes S-Class uses 2.2 L/100km and is moderately more efficient than the Audi Q5 with 2.5 L/100km. The difference is about 0.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes S-Class offers a bit more range – reaching up to 118 km, about 18 km more than the Audi Q5.

S-Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes S-Class offers substantially more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 367 HP. That’s roughly 268 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes S-Class is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the Audi Q5 takes 4.5 s. That’s about 0.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes S-Class delivers noticeably more torque with 850 Nm compared to 580 Nm. That’s about 270 Nm more.

Q5

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi Q5 is moderately lighter – 1,910 kg compared to 2,165 kg. The difference is around 255 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes S-Class offers only slightly more boot space – 530 L compared to 520 L. That’s a difference of about 10 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes S-Class carries a bit more – 660 kg compared to 565 kg. That’s a difference of about 95 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes S-Class is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £104,000
S-Class

Mercedes S-Class

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 336 - 635 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.2 - 11 L/100km
  • Electric Range 98 - 118 km
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Frequently compared as well

Audi Q5
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The Audi Q5 is a well-rounded mid-size SUV that blends comfort, practicality and conventional petrol/diesel (or mild-hybrid) powertrains; the Audi Q6 e-tron is Audi’s fully electric premium SUV focused on range, advanced tech and a quieter, more refined drive. Choosing between them comes down to …
Audi A5 Avant
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Mercedes S-Class

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a refined compact luxury SUV that blends a plush, well-appointed interior with confident, composed handling suited to everyday driving. It’s a strong choice if you want a comfortable, technology-rich cabin and a practical, upscale package that feels polished on both city streets and longer trips.

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Reviews Audi Q5

4.1 (8 Reviews)
rate
Alex
1 Jul 2026, 20:30:58

Overpriced

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Marek
7 Jun 2026, 08:47:12

Great to drive, the driver-assistance systems work perfectly. Nimble and dynamic. I drive the Sportback version with the 265 hp engine — I recommend it, it has nice acceleration, the gears shift very smoothly, there’s no lag (and I’m talking about the Dynamic setting). It adapts perfectly to the driver’s driving preferences.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Robert
16 Apr 2026, 20:24:39

Comfortable and composed on the road — an excellent car for daily use. I drive the Q5 TDI with standard suspension and 20‑inch wheels.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Aurelio
16 Mar 2026, 20:10:09

BYD — to Romania, in my area I have to recharge 5 times.
Audi Q5 — to the same place I refuel only 2 times.
At the end of the merry-go-round, if diesel doesn’t rise again, I can say I travel with peace of mind in the Audi — both on price and comfort 😆😆😆. If I switch on the air conditioning in the BYD, I’m totally screwed; for 1,350 km I’d need solar panels just to keep costs down.
But if I only drive around the city and do short runs, all praise to BYD.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Klaus
9 Dec 2025, 16:03:21

The Audi Q5 reliably gets me to my destination every day. It isn't cheap, but it's a real looker!!!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes S-Class wraps peerless comfort, whisper-quiet luxury and subtle tech wizardry into a chauffeur-ready package that still knows how to engage the driver. It’s the car for buyers who want to arrive relaxed, be taken seriously and occasionally enjoy a grin when the road reminds them this limousine can dance.

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Reviews Mercedes S-Class

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In the world of premium SUVs, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q5 stand out with their unique offerings. While the Q5 excels with its proven versatility and dynamic performance, the Q4 e-tron makes a compelling case with its electric efficiency and cutting-edge technology. Ultimately, the choice between …
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Mercedes S-Class

Costs and Consumption
Price
46,400 - 79,600 £
Price
104,000 - 201,400 £
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 8.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.2 - 11 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
92 - 100 km
Electric Range
98 - 118 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
56 - 189 g/km
co2
50 - 252 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Sedan
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,910 - 2,245 kg
Curb weight
2,165 - 2,650 kg
Trunk capacity
433 - 520 L
Trunk capacity
345 - 530 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,900 mm
Width
1,921 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
490 - 565 kg
Payload
420 - 660 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
204 - 367 HP
Power HP
336 - 635 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 5.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
340 - 580 Nm
Torque
560 - 850 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Power kW
150 - 270 kW
Power kW
247 - 467 kW
Engine capacity
1,968 - 2,995 cm3
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B, F
Brand
Audi
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drivetrain options does the Audi Q5 have?

The Audi Q5 is offered with All-Wheel Drive or Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.