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Mercedes GLC vs Audi Q5 comparison

Compare performance (680 HP vs 367 HP), boot space and price (50,300 £ vs 46,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLC or Audi Q5?

Mercedes GLC vs Audi Q5: Key differences

Mercedes GLC

4.4 (11 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially more electric range
  • noticeably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit more trunk space

Audi Q5

4.4 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly cheaper

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

GLC

Audi Q5 vs Mercedes GLC: Premium SUV Face-Off

The Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC meet here in a direct premium midsize SUV comparison. If you’re cross-shopping smart family movers with luxury polish, this is the heavyweight bout: Audi Q5 VS Mercedes GLC. Both promise comfort, space, and brand prestige, but they take very different routes to get there. We’ll decode the character, the everyday reality, and the buyer fit so you can see which one suits your life, not just your driveway.

Q5

Understated Precision vs Lounge-Luxe

The Audi Q5 plays the strong, silent type: crisp lines, restrained chrome, and that measured, engineered calm. Inside, the Q5 feels purposeful and tidy, prioritizing ergonomics over spectacle. The Mercedes GLC turns up the theater with bolder surfacing, a glittering grille, and an interior that feels like a boutique lounge. In short: Q5 speaks in a low, confident voice; GLC enjoys a bit of red-carpet flair.

GLC

School Runs, City Streets, and Motorway Miles

In daily use, the Audi Q5 feels easy to place and reassuringly precise, making tight streets and quick maneuvers straightforward. The seats are supportive, the visibility is friendly, and road noise is well tamed, which commuters will love. The Mercedes GLC counters with a more pampering ride and a cabin that cocoons you, especially on long motorway slogs. Families will appreciate the GLC’s slightly roomier feel and plush ambiance, while the Q5 leans a touch sportier without turning the school run into a rally stage.

Q5

Head vs Heart: Why You’d Choose Each

Pick the Audi Q5 if your inner engineer values consistency and cool-headed control; it’s the SUV that just gets on with it, day after day. The interfaces are intuitive, the build feels bank-vault solid, and it doesn’t shout about itself. Choose the Mercedes GLC if you want the full lounge experience, with a cabin that wows passengers and a ride that prefers to waft. It’s the one that makes every trip feel a bit special, even if it’s just a supermarket dash.

GLC

Who the Audi Q5 Really Suits

The Audi Q5 fits buyers who prize clarity, logic, and everyday usability: think spreadsheet-smart commuters and family planners. If you want controls that make sense at a glance, a cabin that feels precisely assembled, and a driving character that stays composed in any weather, the Q5 delivers. It’s the calm companion that shrugs off busy schedules and rough roads without fuss. If that sounds like you, the Mercedes GLC may feel a touch indulgent for your taste.

Q5

Who the Mercedes GLC Really Suits

The Mercedes GLC is for comfort seekers and image-conscious drivers who enjoy a bit of ceremony with their commute. If you love a plush ride, big-screen tech, and that glossy Mercedes ambiance, this is your kind of premium SUV. Long-distance travelers will appreciate the soothing cabin and relaxed gait, and passengers will notice the sense of occasion. If you’re tempted by the Audi Q5 for its discipline, the GLC answers with charm—and now, let’s dive deeper into how their personalities play out in detail.

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

GLC

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Audi Q5 is only slightly cheaper – starting at 46,400 £ , while the Mercedes GLC costs 50,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3,956 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLC uses 1.6 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Audi Q5 with 2.5 L/100km. The difference is about 0.9 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes GLC offers substantially more range – reaching up to 714 km, about 614 km more than the Audi Q5.

Q5

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 GLC offers substantially more power – delivering 680 HP compared to 367 HP. That’s roughly 313 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLC is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the Audi Q5 takes 4.5 s. That’s about 1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLC delivers substantially more torque with 1,020 Nm compared to 580 Nm. That’s about 440 Nm more.

GLC

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.

Both models weigh roughly the same – around 1,910 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes GLC offers a bit more boot space – 620 L compared to 520 L. That’s a difference of about 100 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLC carries marginally more – 600 kg compared to 565 kg. That’s a difference of about 35 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLC is clearly superior overall 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 £50,300
GLC

Mercedes GLC

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV, Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 186 - 680 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.6 - 9.7 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.9 - 16.6 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 12 - 714 km
Mercedes GLC
Audi Q5

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mercedes GLC

The Mercedes GLC blends plush cabin comfort and composed road manners into an SUV that feels more grown-up than it looks. It won’t shout for attention, but will quietly please buyers who want refinement, usable space and a touch of luxury without the drama.

details

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 feels like the sensible luxury choice — polished cabin materials, a calm ride and enough tech to keep commuters and weekend adventurers equally pleased. It won't shout for attention but will quietly check the boxes for buyers who want refinement, space and everyday usability with a dash of Audi charisma.

details
Mercedes GLC
Audi Q5

Costs and Consumption

Price
50,300 - 126,600 £
Price
46,400 - 79,600 £
Consumption L/100km
1.6 - 9.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 8.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.9 - 16.6 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
12 - 714 km
Electric Range
92 - 100 km
Battery Capacity
94 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 221 g/km
co2
56 - 189 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
62 - 65 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,910 - 2,535 kg
Curb weight
1,910 - 2,245 kg
Trunk capacity
390 - 620 L
Trunk capacity
433 - 520 L
Length
4,716 - 4,845 mm
Length
-
Width
1,890 - 1,913 mm
Width
1,900 mm
Height
1,603 - 1,644 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
1,490 - 1,740 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
475 - 600 kg
Payload
490 - 565 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
186 - 680 HP
Power HP
204 - 367 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.5 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
210 - 275 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
320 - 1,020 Nm
Torque
340 - 580 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
137 - 500 kW
Power kW
150 - 270 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 2,989 cm3
Engine capacity
1,968 - 2,995 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G, D, B, E, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Audi
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.