2021 Audi Q3 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
$53,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Audi Q3
2021 Audi Q3
$34,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
$53,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Audi Q3
$34,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$53,700

MSRP

$34,000

Listings

867

Listings

321

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.2 out of 10

Pros

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Premium interior materials

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Frustrating safety tech

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Sluggish performance

Pros

  • Impressive technology

  • Impressive stereo

  • Great ride quality

Cons

  • Interior materials feel cheap

  • Cramped back seat

  • Poor value for money

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Reviews Summary

Mercedes-Benz refers to the 2020 GLE-Class as a “second-generation model.” But savvy students of car culture will remember that the GLE-Class is actually a renamed M-Class, meaning this is actually a fourth-generation model that’s been in production since 1997. It has a legacy to uphold, and because of that, it’s just as quiet and comfortable as you’d expect. A longer wheelbase means more room inside, and the new MBUX infotainment system may be the best on the market. But this doesn’t mean the GLE-Class is walking away with all the laurels. Sharing a segment with the BMW X5—itself redesigned for 2019—means the GLE-Class is up against some tough competition. And with the usual luxury pricing structure in place, things can get expensive very easily.

2021 Audi Q3 Reviews Summary

The 2021 Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury SUV. Small crossovers and SUVs are seemingly taking over the automotive world, and even among this extremely crowded field, the Q3 is a standout. Despite having “SUV” in the name, the expectation with these vehicles is that they drive as comfortably and are as efficiently as a sedan. The Q3 delivers on this with a refined ride and standard driver assistance features, as well as helpful-in car tech.

The Q3 first entered the North American market for the 2013 model year. The redesigned second-generation model arrived for 2019 and is still on sale today. For the 2021 model year, the Q3 gains additional high tech safety features and loses its top-tier Prestige trim. You can now get the features from this trim as options packages.

No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 255 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 184 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

255 hp @ 5800 rpm

Horsepower

184 hp @ 4800 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

22

MPG Highway

27

MPG Highway

30
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
$53,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Audi Q3
2021 Audi Q3
$34,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
$53,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Audi Q3
$34,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$53,700
$34,000
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.8

4.4

Expert reviews

6.8 out of 10

Read full review

8.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Premium interior materials

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Frustrating safety tech

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Sluggish performance

Pros

  • Impressive technology

  • Impressive stereo

  • Great ride quality

Cons

  • Interior materials feel cheap

  • Cramped back seat

  • Poor value for money

Summary
Mercedes-Benz refers to the 2020 GLE-Class as a “second-generation model.” But savvy students of car culture will remember that the GLE-Class is actually a renamed M-Class, meaning this is actually a fourth-generation model that’s been in production since 1997. It has a legacy to uphold, and because of that, it’s just as quiet and comfortable as you’d expect. A longer wheelbase means more room inside, and the new MBUX infotainment system may be the best on the market. But this doesn’t mean the GLE-Class is walking away with all the laurels. Sharing a segment with the BMW X5—itself redesigned for 2019—means the GLE-Class is up against some tough competition. And with the usual luxury pricing structure in place, things can get expensive very easily.

The 2021 Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury SUV. Small crossovers and SUVs are seemingly taking over the automotive world, and even among this extremely crowded field, the Q3 is a standout. Despite having “SUV” in the name, the expectation with these vehicles is that they drive as comfortably and are as efficiently as a sedan. The Q3 delivers on this with a refined ride and standard driver assistance features, as well as helpful-in car tech.

The Q3 first entered the North American market for the 2013 model year. The redesigned second-generation model arrived for 2019 and is still on sale today. For the 2021 model year, the Q3 gains additional high tech safety features and loses its top-tier Prestige trim. You can now get the features from this trim as options packages.

Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 255 hp I4
2.0L 184 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
7
5
Horsepower
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
184 hp @ 4800 rpm
MPG City
20
22
MPG Highway
27
30
Look and feel

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

8/10

2021 Audi Q3

8/10
According to CarGurus experts, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and the 2021 Audi Q3 both receive an 8 out of 10 rating for their look and feel. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class presents a smoother and less sculpted appearance, with softened lines and a more transformative front end. Inside, it offers extra headroom, an extended wheelbase providing additional legroom, and an optional third row. However, some imperfections, such as an orange-peel effect in the paint, were noted. The GLE 350 starts at $53,700 and offers a range of optional features, including advanced safety and technology packages. On the other hand, the 2021 Audi Q3 features a stout, chunky styling with a modern and refined interior. It offers 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The Q3 comes in Premium and Premium Plus trims, with standard features including leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
Picture of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Picture of 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Performance

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

7/10

2021 Audi Q3

7/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and the 2021 Audi Q3 both 7 out of 10 for performance. The GLE 350 is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It offers a smooth and powerful driving experience, although some turbo lag and start-stop system issues were noted. On the other hand, the 2021 Audi Q3 comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, with an optional 228-hp engine available. The Q3 provides nimble handling and a comfortable ride, making it an engaging and enjoyable drive.
Form and function

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

8/10

2021 Audi Q3

9/10
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class receives an 8 out of 10 rating, while the 2021 Audi Q3 scores 9 out of 10 for form and function. The GLE-Class offers spacious second-row seating and between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. It features a striking interior layout dominated by dual 12.3-inch screens and offers advanced technology, including the MBUX infotainment system. However, some issues with seat positioning and stereo vibration were noted. On the other hand, the Q3 provides 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. It offers comfortable front seats, impressive headroom and legroom in the rear, and a passenger-friendly interior.
Technology

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

6/10

2021 Audi Q3

8/10
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is rated 6 out of 10 for technology, while the 2021 Audi Q3 scores 8 out of 10. The GLE-Class boasts the new MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens and advanced driver-assistance technology. However, some issues with voice control were noted. On the other hand, the Q3 comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with the option to upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. It also offers the Audi Virtual Cockpit, wireless device charging, and a premium audio system.
Safety

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

5/10

2021 Audi Q3

9/10
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class receives a 5 out of 10 rating for safety, while the 2021 Audi Q3 scores 9 out of 10. The GLE-Class offers an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems, including Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics. However, issues with the adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist systems were noted. On the other hand, the Q3 comes standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, with optional driver assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is 6.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Audi Q3 scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings–and keeping in mind these are not direct rivals, the 2021 Audi Q3 emerges as the more highly rated option, offering a compelling combination of safety, technology, and cost effectiveness in the subcompact luxury crossover segment.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is 6.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Audi Q3 scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings–and keeping in mind these are not direct rivals, the 2021 Audi Q3 emerges as the more highly rated option, offering a compelling combination of safety, technology, and cost effectiveness in the subcompact luxury crossover segment.

CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Audi Q32022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Lincoln Aviator2022 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Honda CR-V2022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Lexus GX2022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Toyota Sienna2022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Lexus RX Hybrid2022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 MINI Countryman2022 Acura MDX vs 2022 Audi Q32022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator2022 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Audi Q32022 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Lexus GX vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Audi Q32022 Audi Q3 vs 2022 Nissan Rogue2021 MINI Countryman vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Audi Q32021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Lexus GX2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Audi Q32021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan2021 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Honda Passport2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Lexus RX Hybrid2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2022 Audi Q32021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Toyota Sienna2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator2020 Buick Encore vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Lexus NX2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Volvo XC902020 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Lexus NX vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 MINI Countryman2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Nissan Rogue2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Buick Encore2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Honda CR-V2020 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE2020 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica2019 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2019 Audi Q32019 Audi Q3 vs 2019 Honda CR-V2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2019 Audi Q3 vs 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan2019 Buick Encore vs 2020 Audi Q32019 MINI Countryman vs 2020 Audi Q32019 Toyota Sienna vs 2019 Audi Q32019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Buick Encore2019 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2020 Audi Q32019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Toyota Sienna2019 Honda Odyssey vs 2019 Audi Q32019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2019 Audi Q32019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Nissan Rogue2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Honda Passport2019 Volvo XC40 vs 2019 Audi Q32019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Volvo XC902019 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Audi Q32019 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2020 Lexus RX Hybrid