2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2026 Audi RS Q8

$148,250 · SUV

$138,300 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The age-old question when buying a high-end luxury SUV is: Do you prioritize rugged, iconic capability or raw, on-road performance? The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class starts at a steep $148,250, delivering 443 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque while maintaining a respectable 18 MPG combined. In contrast, the 2026 Audi RS Q8 asks for $9,950 less, hitting $138,300, but offers a massive power boost with 631 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. While the G-Class is significantly taller at 77.7 inches for better ground clearance, the longer RS Q8 (197.7 inches) sacrifices some height for a lower center of gravity. Both require premium fuel, but the G-Class manages slightly better city mileage at 17 MPG versus the RS Q8's 14 MPG in urban driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Class wins for daily commuting due to its slightly superior city fuel economy (17 MPG) and smaller overall footprint when navigating tight urban areas.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Class is the better family choice because its taller height (77.7 inches) suggests easier ingress/egress and potentially a more commanding view of the road.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Audi RS Q8

The 2026 Audi RS Q8 is the clear choice for performance enthusiasts, boasting an immense 631 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Audi RS Q8

The RS Q8 offers significantly more performance (188 more horsepower) for $9,950 less than the G-Class, making it the better performance value.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz G-Class if...

You need the most iconic, boxy SUV aesthetic Mercedes-Benz offers.
Your driving frequently involves tougher conditions where 4WD and superior height (77.7 inches) are advantageous.
You prioritize marginally better city fuel economy (17 MPG vs 14 MPG in the Audi).

Choose the Audi RS Q8 if...

Absolute maximum power, including 631 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, is your top priority.
You want a lower-riding, likely sportier crossover feel, standing at only 67.5 inches tall.
You want to save nearly $10,000 upfront while still getting a high-performance machine.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz G-Class	Audi RS Q8
Length	190.0"	197.7"
Width	76.0"	79.0"
Height	77.7"	67.5"
Wheelbase	113.8"	117.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Front Integrated Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Base Engine Displacement	3.0 L	4.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	V8
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	443 hp @ 6100 rpm	631 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	413 lb-ft @ 1950 rpm	627 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm
Number of Valves	24	32
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	four wheel drive	all wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	17/19 MPG	14/20 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	18 MPG	16 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	448.8/501.6 mi.	315.0/450.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	26.4 gal.	22.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Automatic Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	—	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	10.1 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Stereo System	Burmester	—
Premium Speaker Brand	Burmester	—
Stereo Power	760W	730W
Speaker System	18	17
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	6 months	3 months
Premium Brand Speakers	—	Bang & Olufsen
Subwoofer Count	—	1

Power Feature

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Front Head Room	41.9 in.	37.1 in.
Front Leg Room	38.7 in.	41.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.8 in.	59.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Premium Leather	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Rear Head Room	40.5 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.5 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.4 in.	58.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	275/55R19	295/40R22
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	—
Wheel Diameter	—	22 in

Suspension

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Audi
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	6 yr./ 62000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class and 2026 Audi RS Q8.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Audi RS Q8 compared to the G-Class?

The Audi RS Q8 is dramatically more powerful, generating 631 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, which is a difference of 188 horsepower over the G-Class's 443 hp.

Which vehicle is better for long-term fuel costs?

Although both demand premium fuel, the G-Class has a slight advantage with a combined 18 MPG rating compared to the RS Q8's 16 MPG combined efficiency.

Is the G-Class much smaller than the RS Q8?

No, the G-Class is significantly taller at 77.7 inches versus the Audi's 67.5 inches, but the Audi is slightly longer overall, measuring 197.7 inches compared to the G-Class's 190.0 inches.

Do these vehicles have similar cargo hauling capabilities?

Their cargo areas are quite close; the G-Class offers 34.8 cubic feet, slightly edging out the RS Q8's 33 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

What is the main factor justifying the G-Class's higher MSRP?

The $148,250 MSRP for the G-Class reflects its iconic status, standard 4WD system, and more robust, vertically-oriented SUV architecture, despite costing $9,950 more than the RS Q8.

Which vehicle is easier to fit into standard home garages?

The G-Class is narrower at 76.0 inches wide, potentially making it easier to maneuver and park in tighter spaces compared to the wider RS Q8 at 79.0 inches.