Audi has unveiled the third-generation Audi Q5 which is available at launch with three mild hybrid powertrains. The pricing of the new Audi Q5 shocks, with the SUV from Ingolstadt being much cheaper than the rival from Stuttgart.
Over the past three years, Mercedes has substantially increased the prices of its models compared to rivals Audi and BMW and this has been reflected in falling sales. Such is the case with the Mercedes GLC, which is much more expensive than its rival Audi Q5, unveiled in a new generation.
Audi Q5 is 4,000-5,000 euro cheaper
The new-generation Audi Q5 is available from the start with three engines, equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system and combined with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions:
Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI 2.0-liter turbocharged 2.0 TFSI with 204 PS and 340 Nm, front-wheel drive 52,300 euro
Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI 2.0 TFSI 2-liter turbocharged engine with 204 PS and 340 Nm, all-wheel drive 54,650 euro
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 2.0 TDI with 2-liter turbodiesel engine with 204 PS and 400 Nm, all-wheel drive 57,100 euro
Audi SQ5 with 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 engine with 367 PS and 550 Nm, all-wheel drive, 82,900 euro
All three versions have a 48V mild hybrid system with an integrated starter generator with 24 PS and 230 Nm, powered by a lithium-iron-phosphate battery with a capacity of 1.7 kWh. Thanks to its higher capacity, although it is a mild-hybrid, the starter-generator not only supports the engine when starting and accelerating, but also enables fully electric driving when parking, and can recover up to 25 kW when braking.
By comparison, similar versions of the Mercedes GLC have the following features:
Mercedes GLC 200 4Matic with a 2-liter turbocharged engine with 204 PS and 320 Nm, all-wheel drive 59,809 euro
Mercedes GLC 220 d 4Matic with 2-liter turbodiesel engine with 197 PS and 440 Nm, all-wheel drive 62,415 euro
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 GLC 43 4Matic with a 2-liter turbocharged engine with 421 PS and 500 Nm, all-wheel drive 86,870 euro
All versions have a 48V mild hybrid system with an integrated starter generator. On the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic, the starter generator develops 14 PS and 160 Nm, while on the GLC 220 d 4Matic and the GLC 200 4Matic, the generator has 23 PS and 200 Nm. But the battery is smaller and the GLC never goes electric. All Mercedes GLC versions come standard with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Only the Mercedes GLC has optional all-wheel steering
Audi hasn’t yet published the official configurator so we can’t yet make a direct comparison in terms of equipment, but at first glance, both the gasoline and diesel versions with all-wheel drive are 5,300 euro cheaper than the Mercedes GLC 200 4Matic and GLC 220 d 4Matic respectively.
The difference between the sporty SQ5 and the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic is smaller, at just 4,000 euros.
The Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC have sophisticated suspension with a multilink five-link rear axle. At the front, Mercedes uses a four-link multilink front axle, and Audi uses a new five-link multilink front axle. Both models have standard suspension with steel springs and a sport suspension is available as an option. On both models, the standard suspension features passive damping: FSD – Frequency Selective Damping on the Audi, which gives the front axle more agility and greater firmness compared to the old generation, and Agility Control on the Mercedes. Optional is an adaptive air suspension that Audi says has a wider range of adjustment between Sport and Comfort modes. Mercedes also offers the optional adaptive air suspension for 3,320 euros, but this package also includes all-wheel steering, which isn’t offered on the Audi.
Top multimedia systems
Because the PPC platform on which the new Audi Q5 is built and the PPE used in the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV are related, they use the same E3 1.2 electronic architecture. As with the Q6 e-tron, the dashboard is dominated by the curved screen that incorporates the 11.9-inch display for the virtual instrument cluster and the 14.5-inch display for the MMI multimedia system. The front passenger also gets its 10.9-inch display. The operating system is therefore similar to the Q6 e-tron.
The Mercedes GLC has a 12.3-inch display for the digital instrument cluster instruments and an 11.9-inch portrait display for the multimedia system. A head-up display is optional on both models.
Audi hasn’t published the Q5’s dimensions but says the new Q5 offers a sliding bench seat not available on the Mercedes GLC. The maximum trunk volume with the seat folded down is 1,473 liters, less than the Mercedes’ 1,640 liters, or nearly 200 liters more.
A Q5 Sportback version to compete with the Mercedes GLC Coupe will follow, and PHEV versions with an electric range of around 100 km are planned for the future. The Mercedes GLC has three PHEV versions in the range, including a diesel, that features a large 23.4 kWh net (31.2 kWh gross) battery offering electric ranges of more than 100 km: the GLC 300 e 4Matic, GLC 400 e 4Matic, and GLC 300 de 4Matic.
