2018 Audi SQ5 vs Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Comparison Test

With the crossover market exploding these days, car companies are finding more and more ways to satisfy customer demands, from rakish rooflines to ridiculous power, and excellent practicality to obscene luxury.

Here we have a couple of crossovers that are neither the largest nor smallest, the fastest nor most luxurious, and they are all the better for it.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is the middle, mildly sporty trim of the brand’s small-ish crossover, between the base GLC 300 and the bonkers GLC 63 AMG, while the Audi SQ5 is currently the top performer of the Q5 lineup until rumors of an RSQ5 come true.

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[YQLbeast]

I put a stage 1+ tune on my SQ5, and it does 0-60 in 4.1, and runs the QM in 12.2 at 106.

It’s a superior engine that was just tuned down from the factory imo

[tal-ha]

how is this guy sitting so close to the steering wheel

[KC_Smooth]

Man I love the way the older Q5's look. The new face lifted ones look so bland.

[davidorgun]

Just bought the GLC43 AMG! It’s the best.

[severedsun]

I drove both of these before landing on the GLC 43 AMG. The Audi isn't as fast, and honestly, it felt boring to me. He isn't wrong about the Sport+ mode...it is pretty bonkers, and kind of harsh with the shifts. It works great in manual mode, but you need to be paying attention.
I am a big fan of my new GLC 43 ... ////AMG!

[McLarenInternational]

My wife's owned both, A GLC43 from October '16 'til last week, and now a 2018 SQ5. Whilst it would be unfair to say the GLC has been nothing but trouble it has had air suspension failure twice, and on >75% steering lock the front tyres scrub very badly. This is down to different components used in the front differential of our UK right hand drive cars compared with those in LHD markets. Added to the unreliability and scrubbing our MB dealer has been less than impressive on the customer service front, as too has Mercedes UK. Our Audi dealer has, on the other hand, been utterly brilliant. As for the fake leather seats in the GLC? Yup, very obviously plastic and horrible to touch. They're not that comfy either.

[freshklinki]

Don't listen to him. The faux Mercedes leather is among the best on the market. You don't see that it's fake and you dont feel it either. It even smells good...

[damianotoole]

SQ5 is the better all-rounder. Good summary about comfort and performance. Agreed that these cars are about great comfort and good performance.

[xkipwdz]

I have never seen a man sit that close to the wheel. Very strange.

[MrSoccerballer]

No mention of the "fake" exhaust tips on the Audi, definite winner is the GLC

[Selector]

They forgot to mention the interior build quality, which is poor for this generation of GLC and far superior for Audi. I drive 2020 GLC43 and the interior produces all types of sounds when it’s cold outside (I live in Canada). Rattles coming from at least 2-3 places which dealership can’t replicate. That’s partly because of a very stiff air suspension setup (even in comfort mode with 19’ winter wheels).
Oh yes, and crabbing issue is bad even on winter wheels.
Switching to Audi Allroad soon and can’t be happier.

[damianotoole]

I have driven both. The SQ5 is so much more comfortable. The MB was like driving a brick on wheels.

[jamesg]

Keep the comparisons coming Autoguide! Great stuff

[ErikSamuel]

I’ll go with the one that have exhaust tip!

[oririona]

I haven’t driven the Audi but I’ve got a GLC it wasn’t a wrong choice it’s fast for an SUV

[senorgato]

GLC43 for me.  The SQ5 is boring inside and out.  And in my experience with my former S5, all of the interior materials looks and feel great, but what you can't see is highly questionable.  I've never had a car, especially one over $60k that was plagued with so many squeaks and rattles from day one.  At one point, I thought the entire front dash was going to fall to the floor, and I had less than 40k miles on it.

[X_]

That jerky weird braking to a standstill isn’t a fault with that model my 2015 CLS 350 amg line 9gtronic felt EXACT same it’s quite weird. We have just switched to the sq5 and it’s excellent

[daarupappe]

GLC LOOKS BETTER AND SOUNDS BETTER, THE ONLY THING I LIKE ABOUT THE SQ5 IS INTERIOR. THE AUDI LOOKS SIMILAR TO Q3 AND Q7
THE GLC IS THE WINNER FOR ME IN WHICH YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY A 63S MODEL TOO

[catfirst]

This is how a comparison test should look like...congratulations.

[jaschana]

That benz is not just one of the best looking, but best performing SUV's in the market. Period.