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Mercedes S Class vs Audi Q5 comparison

Compare performance (585 HP vs 367 HP), boot space and price (104,000 £ vs 46,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes S Class or Audi Q5?

Mercedes S Class vs Audi Q5: Key differences

Mercedes S Class

  • visibly more power
  • somewhat more efficient
  • somewhat more electric range
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h

Audi Q5

4.4 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • slightly lighter

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

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

S Class

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

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 somewhat 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 somewhat more range – reaching up to 118 km, about 18 km more than the Audi Q5.

Q5

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes S Class offers visibly more power – delivering 585 HP compared to 367 HP. That’s roughly 218 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 clearly more torque with 750 Nm compared to 580 Nm. That’s about 170 Nm more.

S Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

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

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes S Class carries somewhat 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 stands well ahead of its rival 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 - 585 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.2 - 10.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 102 - 118 km
details

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Mercedes S Class
Audi Q5

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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.

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Reviews Audi Q5

4.4 (5 Reviews)
rate
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

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Mercedes S Class
Audi Q5

Costs and Consumption
Price
104,000 - 139,100 £
Price
46,400 - 79,600 £
Consumption L/100km
2.2 - 10.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 8.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
102 - 118 km
Electric Range
92 - 100 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
50 - 241 g/km
co2
56 - 189 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
2,165 - 2,515 kg
Curb weight
1,910 - 2,245 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
433 - 520 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,921 mm
Width
1,900 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
555 - 660 kg
Payload
490 - 565 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
336 - 585 HP
Power HP
204 - 367 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 5.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.5 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
560 - 750 Nm
Torque
340 - 580 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Power kW
247 - 430 kW
Power kW
150 - 270 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
1,968 - 2,995 cm3

General
Model Year
2,026
Model Year
2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Audi
Is the Mercedes S Class offered with different drivetrains?

The Mercedes S Class is offered with All-Wheel Drive or Rear-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.