2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs. 2021 Audi Q5: When two titans clash
March 19 2021,
Compact-sized SUVs are highly sought after in the market, both by generic brands and luxury manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz and Audi offer two of the best models in the category with the GLC and Q5, respectively. These vehicles are sought after for their practical size, but also for their excellent value and the incredible driving pleasure they offer.
Which is better between the two? That may depend on taste, of course, but if you look around, there's a little something about the GLC that makes it more appealing. Here's why.
Body choices
To begin with, the Q5 is only available in one body configuration, the traditional compact SUV shape. It looks good, but like any Audi product, it comes with conservative lines.
The opposite is true with the GLC, which offers a more contemporary silhouette, even though it's already five years old. In addition, there are two fundamentally different styles of GLC available, the regular model and the coupe version. The latter, frankly, is a head-turner.
Under the hood
While both vehicles are served with virtually identical engines in base configuration (2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder), there's a major difference when you take a look at what's between the front wheels as you move up the line. While the craziest engine at Audi comes in the form of a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, as for the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, it uses a twin-turbocharged V8 delivering 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
For performance enthusiasts, there's only one choice. What's more, the GLC's automatic transmission has nine gears, compared to the German rival's seven.
On board
Finally, inside, the Q5's classic styling is overshadowed by the GLC's completely radical presentation. While quality is present in both SUVs, one look at the dashboard makes us realize that one model has already entered the modern world while the other is still thinking about it.
One might even add that the GLC's presentation really gives us the impression of being in the presence of a high-end product, which is not really the case with the Q5.
For all these reasons, the GLC is the obvious choice when playing the Q5 comparison game. Discovering the model in person will only confirm this.
