Compare the2025 Audi Q3VS 2024 Mercedes GLC Coupe

Both the Q3 and GLC Coupe have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 GLC Coupe’s 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.

The Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Q3’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the Q3 and the GLC Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GLC Coupe’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GLC Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLC Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Q3’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC Coupe’s optional 45 series front tires.

For greater off-road capability the Q3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC Coupe (5.5 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the Q3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Audi Q3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC Coupe.

The Q3 is 11 inches shorter than the GLC Coupe, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 19.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the GLC Coupe’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q3 has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance.