2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibited subtle yet impactful aesthetic changes. Its sharper headlights and taillights, along with black fender flares over the wheel arches, gave it a refreshed look. The grille featured chrome inserts, and the optional AMG Line package added a sporty touch with a distinct grille. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 21-inch options for a more commanding presence. Inside, the cabin maintained the classic Mercedes-Benz luxury feel, with leather and soft-touch surfaces. However, the combination of open-pore walnut trim and Bahia Brown seating in our tester gave it a dated appearance, reminiscent of a 1970s wood-paneled room. Opting for lighter leather colors could remedy this design choice.

The 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a robust SUV aesthetic with a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving it an imposing front-end look. The body featured well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more evolutionary than revolutionary. The Q5 offered Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The Q5 Sportback variant provided a sleeker profile at the cost of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance model stood out with matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, offering a sportier appearance. Inside, the design was detailed but somewhat discordant, with top-notch materials and standard leather seating. The SQ5 featured a red interior with Alcantara trim, though it retained a piano-black plastic area prone to dirt.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the mid-line GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8, all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was the new 450e plug-in hybrid, which combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite its power, the 450e was about a half-second slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to its 23.3-kWh battery. The battery allowed for an impressive 48 miles of all-electric range, with our test showing 55 miles. The 450e defaulted to all-electric mode on startup, with options for Hybrid and Battery Hold modes. The transition to the gas engine was seamless, though the Sport mode didn't enhance driving dynamics significantly. The 450e featured an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four produced 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 offered 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's power output was competitive, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5's performance was comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, affecting acceleration. The Q5 featured steel-spring suspension with passive damping, while the SQ5 had air suspension with adaptive damping. Handling was capable but not sporty, with precise but lifeless steering. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus modes, though it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in interior luxuries, with standard heated front seats and optional ventilation and massage functions. Heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors enhanced comfort. The cabin remained quiet, even on noisy highways, and the Burmester stereo system provided excellent sound quality. However, the sun visors did not extend, which was a notable omission. The GLE offered 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. It could tow up to 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the first row folded, surpassing the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC but falling short of the Acura RDX and BMW X3. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with heated rear seats and ventilated front seats available on higher trims. The Q5 could tow up to 4,400 pounds, exceeding the towing capacity of some rivals.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system, though it lacked the larger touchscreen found in other Mercedes models. The 12.3-inch screen was complemented by a touchpad on the center console and voice control via "Hey, Mercedes." The augmented reality navigation system provided helpful overlays, and an off-road page offered detailed information. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, but connectivity issues were noted. Multiple USB-C ports provided ample charging options.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system were standard. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions. The digital instrument cluster had limited functionality, and the head-up display provided clear information. The Q5 also featured Dynamic Interaction Light, digital key connectivity, and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver aids, with standard blind-spot monitoring and an optional Driver Assistance Package Plus. This package included active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The GLE received a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for models with the Digital Light package.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star overall safety rating.