Verdict
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM421,990, undercutting the RM498,888 Mercedes-Benz GLE by RM76,898, yet it has the larger 515-litre boot and 268 hp. Its 2,528-mm wheelbase and 20-inch wheels mark it as the more compact choice. The GLE is 4,924 mm long with a 2,995-mm wheelbase, air suspension and a 31-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery rated for 114 km of EV range. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge at 11 kW, the GLE’s electric running capability and room justify its extra spend; otherwise the Audi’s price, luggage capacity and stronger petrol output make a persuasive case.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want to save RM76,898, carry 515 litres of luggage and prefer 268 hp with adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can use its 31-kWh battery and 114 km EV range, and want the 2,995-mm wheelbase, air suspension and richer rear-seat climate provision.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Powertrain: Audi Q5 Sportback has a 1,984 cc 268 hp petrol engine; Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 1,999 cc 248 hp petrol plug-in hybrid with a 154 hp motor.
- EV system: Audi Q5 Sportback has no motor or battery; Mercedes-Benz GLE has one 440 Nm motor, a 31-kWh battery and 114 km EV range.
- Length and wheelbase: Audi Q5 Sportback is 4,717 mm long with a 2,528-mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz GLE is 4,924 mm long with a 2,995-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 Sportback has 515 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE has 490 litres.
- Suspension and wheels: Audi Q5 Sportback uses S Sport suspension and 20-inch wheels; Mercedes-Benz GLE gets Airmatic adaptive damping and 21-inch wheels.
Q5 Sportback
- RM76,898 less expensive.
- 515-litre boot, 25 litres larger.
- 268 hp, adaptive cruise control and head-up display.
- No plug-in-hybrid motor, 31-kWh battery or 114 km EV range.
- Shorter 2,528-mm wheelbase versus 2,995 mm.
- Lacks the GLE’s panoramic sliding roof and rear window shades.
GLE
- 31-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery with 114 km EV range.
- 2,995-mm wheelbase and Airmatic adaptive damping.
- Front-seat massage, panoramic sliding roof and rear dual-zone air-con.
- RM76,898 more expensive.
- 490-litre boot is 25 litres smaller.
- 248 hp petrol engine trails the Audi’s 268 hp.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 268 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q5 Sportback & GLE for sale
Q5 Sportback vs GLE FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The GLE is better for buyers who can charge regularly and want 114 km EV range, air suspension and a much longer 2,995-mm wheelbase. The Q5 Sportback is the sharper financial choice, costing less while providing more boot space and 20 hp more petrol power.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM76,898 more than the Audi Q5 Sportback.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Audi Q5 Sportback has the bigger boot at 515 litres, compared with 490 litres in the Mercedes-Benz GLE. That is a 25-litre advantage for the Audi.
