2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. 2021 Audi Q5: A match made in heaven
March 19 2021,
The compact luxury SUV segment is highly contested in the industry, and as you can guess, there are a lot of quality players. That's the case with the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Audi Q5, two of the most popular models among consumers.
Let's take a look at what each one has to offer, which will give you an idea of where to head if you're looking for the perfect compromise.
Design
Vehicle design is a matter of taste, but for those who like change and difference, the GLC offers a slightly more aggressive approach than the Q5. While the latter is classic and offers a design that will age well, the GLC presents itself with a more modern style, but above all with two distinct approaches: a conventional version and another coupe-style version. And as for the long term, there's nothing to worry about, because the GLC's design, which dates back to 2016, hasn't aged a bit in five years.
The similarities
The two models offer similarities, especially under the hood, where each base version is powered by a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Q5 offers 248 horsepower, the GLC 255. Both are rated at 273 lb-ft of torque. The difference? 0.1 seconds less to reach 100 km/h for the GLC (6.2 seconds). Most importantly, the Mercedes-Benz SUV benefits from a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the Q5's unit offers only seven.
A V8
Each model offers different powertrains, which is a plus for buyers looking for options. The big difference is that Mercedes-Benz offers a V8-powered version, the AMG 63 S. Equipped with a 4.0-litre turbocharged engine, it boasts 503 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. With the Q5, the ultimate performance comes with the SQ5 variant and its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, good for 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque (5.3 seconds to 0-100).
As you can see, power, style and variety are found at Mercedes-Benz with the GLC.
