2025 Audi SQ7 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Comparison Overview
Trying to decide between the performance punch of the 2025 Audi SQ7 and the stately presence of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class? This comparison boils down to power versus practicality. The SQ7 immediately asserts its dominance with 500 hp and a massive 568 lb-ft of torque, dramatically outclassing the GLS-Class's 375 hp, making it the quicker machine. However, this performance comes at a cost: the SQ7 returns a combined 17 MPG, lagging 4 MPG behind the GLS-Class's solid 21 MPG combined rating. The GLS-Class also offers superior utility, boasting a larger 17.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Audi's 14.2 cu ft, and it is physically larger, measuring 205.0 inches long versus the SQ7's 199.6 inches. While the SQ7 starts slightly higher at $90,800 versus the GLS's $89,200, buyers must weigh significant horsepower advantage against better fuel economy and storage.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class wins for commuters due to its better combined fuel economy of 21 MPG compared to the Audi's 17 MPG.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Families will appreciate the extra room offered by the GLS-Class, which provides 17.4 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the SQ7's 14.2 cu ft.
2025 Audi SQ7
The 2025 Audi SQ7 is the clear choice for enthusiasts, offering a substantial advantage with 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
While priced closely, the GLS-Class offers significantly better fuel economy and more cargo volume for its slightly lower MSRP of $89,200.
Choose the Audi SQ7 if...
- You prioritize maximum acceleration and appreciate having 500 horsepower available.
- You prefer the driving dynamics associated with the Audi's 568 lb-ft of torque.
- You are comfortable paying for premium fuel while accepting 15/21 MPG city/highway.
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if...
- Your priority is maximizing cargo room, utilizing the GLS-Class's 17.4 cu ft.
- You want to minimize trips to the pump, capitalizing on the 4 MPG combined fuel efficiency advantage (21 MPG vs. 17 MPG).
- You need the added physical presence and interior volume that comes with the 205.0-inch length and 71.8-inch height.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Audi SQ7 | Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.6" | 205.0" |
| Width | 77.6" | 79.9" |
| Height | 68.5" | 71.8" |
| Wheelbase | 118.0" | 123.4" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | โ | โ |
| Lane Departure Warning | โ | โ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | โ | โ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | โ | โ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | โ | โ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | โ | โ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | โ | โ |
| Front Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Rear Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | โ | โ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | โ | โ |
| Electronic Stability Control | โ | โ |
| Traction Control System | โ | โ |
| LATCH System | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | โ | โ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | โ | โ |
| Brake Assist | โ | โ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | โ | โ |
| Automatic Headlights | โ | โ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | โ | โ |
| LED Headlights | โ | โ |
| Daytime Running Lights | โ | โ |
| Front Fog Lights | โ | โ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Integrated Headrests | โ | โ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | โ | โ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | โ | โ |
| Engine Immobilizer | โ | โ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | โ | โ |
| Driver Attention Alert | โ | โ |
| Brake Drying | โ | โ |
| Brake Preparation System | โ | โ |
| Adaptive Headlights | โ | โ |
| Cornering Lights | โ | โ |
| Front Power Adjustable Headrests | โ | โ |
Engine
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 4.0 L | 3.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V8 | inline 6 |
| Base Engine Type | mild hybrid | mild hybrid |
| Horsepower | 500 hp | 375 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 568 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 32 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | โ | โ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | โ | โ |
Fuel
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (required) | premium unleaded (required) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 15/21 MPG | 19/24 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 17 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 337.5/472.5 mi. | 452.2/571.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 22.5 gal. | 23.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | โ | โ |
| Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Electric Power Steering | โ | โ |
| Front View Camera | โ | โ |
| Side View Camera | โ | โ |
| Rear View Camera | โ | โ |
| Front Parking Sensors | โ | โ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | โ | โ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | โ | โ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | โ | โ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | โ | โ |
| Front Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Rear Cupholders | โ | โ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | โ | โ |
| Front Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Rear Door Pockets | โ | โ |
| Front Seatback Storage | โ | โ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Four Zone Climate Control | โ | โ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | โ | โ |
| Interior Air Filtration | โ | โ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | โ | โ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | โ | โ |
| Automatic Parking Assist | โ | โ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | โ | โ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | โ | โ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.1 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | โ | โ |
| Premium Brand Speakers | Bang & Olufsen | โ |
| Stereo Power | 755W | 590W |
| Speaker System | 19 | 13 |
| Surround Audio | Discrete | Discrete |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| USB Port | โ | โ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio | โ | โ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 6 months |
| Premium Speaker Brand | โ | Burmester |
| Subwoofer Count | โ | 2 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | โ | โ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | โ | โ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass Extended | 1st Row Power Glass Extended |
| Keyless Entry | โ | โ |
| Heated Mirrors | โ | โ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | โ | โ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 40.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.5 in. | 59.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Leather | โ | โ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 10-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Memory Settings | 2 | 3 |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 10-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Front Hip Room | โ | 60.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | โ | โ |
| Driver Seat Thigh Extension | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Thigh Extension | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Memory Settings | โ | 3 |
| Driver Seat Ventilation | โ | โ |
| Passenger Seat Ventilation | โ | โ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.8 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.8 in. | 41.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | โ | โ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | โ | โ |
| Folding Center Armrest | โ | โ |
| Power Folding Third Row Seat | โ | โ |
| Rear Hip Room | โ | 60.0 in. |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | โ |
| Wheel Size | 21 in | 21 x 11.0 in. |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | โ | 315/40R21 |
| Wheel Material | โ | Alloy |
| Spare Tire Type | โ | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | โ | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | โ | โ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | โ | โ |
Warranty
| Feature | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | โ | 6 yr./ 62000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi SQ7 and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
How big is the power difference between the 2025 Audi SQ7 and the GLS-Class?
The difference is substantial; the Audi SQ7 boasts 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class delivers 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, meaning the Audi has 125 more horsepower.
Is the added performance in the SQ7 worth the fuel penalty?
The SQ7 demands premium unleaded while netting only 17 MPG combined, compared to the GLS-Class's 21 MPG combined rating, so budget-conscious drivers should weigh the 4 MPG difference carefully.
Which crossover offers more usable space for family gear?
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class wins on cargo utility, offering 17.4 cubic feet of storage space, which is noticeably more than the Audi SQ7's 14.2 cubic feet.
Are both vehicles front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
Both the 2025 Audi SQ7 and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class come equipped with All-Wheel Drive capability.
What is the price difference between these two premium crossovers?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has a slight starting MSRP advantage at $89,200, coming in under the Audi SQ7's $90,800 price point.
Do they use different types of transmissions?
Yes, the Audi SQ7 uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic.
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