2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. Its large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights contributed to an imposing front end, while well-defined lines along the body added a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a revolution, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with features like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights enhancing its appeal. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance variant stood out with increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned for the 2020 model year with a facelift in 2024, maintained a unique identity within the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. It featured a more rounded profile reminiscent of previous generations, with squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights providing a wide stance. The GLE's styling, while not the most handsome, adhered closely to the brand's design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Mercedes. For 2025, the GLE offered new paint colors and Manufaktur interior options, enhancing personalization. The interior boasted upscale features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-color ambient lighting, creating a luxurious and special atmosphere.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as quick as expected, with noticeable turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5 and available on the Q5 Prestige, provided capable handling but lacked a sporty feel. Audi included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered six powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450 4Matic had a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 375 hp and 369 lb-ft, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft. The GLE 580 4Matic boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 510 hp and 538 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ offered even more power, with the latter achieving 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE impressed with its refinement, but even in AMG spec, it felt larger than it was, making maneuvering in tight spaces challenging.

The 2025 Audi Q5 retained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining second-row bench seat and provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Q5 offered more cargo space than some rivals but less than others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional amenities available on higher trims. The Q5 also had a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds, surpassing some competitors.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row and three-row configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE offered competitive headroom and slightly more second-row space than most rivals. It provided 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 74.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The GLE's center console offered reasonable storage space, and its maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds matched some competitors. The GLE's high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, but visibility was limited.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen available on the Prestige trim. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a built-in voice assistant. The Q5's MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, though the digital instrument cluster had limited functionality. Additional features included a head-up display, digital key connectivity, and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, creating a seamless display. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a center-console touchpad and voice recognition, were available. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional settings for drive modes and chassis adjustments. Some GLE models featured off-road displays and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capability.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring. 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 NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received mixed ratings. NHTSA ratings were not available at press time.