Compare the2025 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2025 Mercedes G-Class

Both the SQ5 Sportback and G-Class have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The G-Class’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the SQ5 Sportback uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The G-Class uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The SQ5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the G-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the G-Class running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The G-Class requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The SQ5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G-Class’ 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ5 Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the G-Class.

For superior ride and handling, the Audi SQ5 Sportback has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The SQ5 Sportback has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (38.7 feet vs. 44.3 feet). The SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (38.7 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The Audi SQ5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 2600 pounds less than the Mercedes G-Class.

The SQ5 Sportback is 12 inches shorter in height than the G-Class, making the SQ5 Sportback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the SQ5 Sportback’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The G-Class doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The design of the Audi SQ5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the SQ5 Sportback has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the SQ5 Sportback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The SQ5 Sportback’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the SQ5 Sportback’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The G-Class doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the SQ5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The G-Class doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The SQ5 Sportback’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The G-Class doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the SQ5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G-Class doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback outsold the Mercedes G-Class by over seven to one during 2023.