2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like tendencies, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete visually with models like the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 redesign brought a more streamlined and cohesive look, with a luxurious and high-quality interior. The red and black interior of the tested model was both loud and palatial, featuring twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede. Despite some flimsy gear selectors and turn signal stalks, the GLE's interior exuded a sense of pampering and luxury.

The 2021 Audi Q5, on the other hand, was praised for its sharp and modern design. It carried the Audi design language well, with an expressive face featuring LED headlights and a large Singleframe grille. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold, large taillights. The plug-in hybrid version, with its S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, looked even better, featuring standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern appearance, packed with technology yet uncluttered. The materials used were of high quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was well-placed, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces. Overall, the Q5's interior was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance, offering a range of engine options and advanced suspension systems. The base GLE 350 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, available in rear-wheel drive or optional 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLE 450 upgraded to a 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, featuring a self-leveling air suspension. The AMG GLE 53 took this engine to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft with an electric supercharger, while the GLE 580 boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. The top-tier AMG GLE 63 S offered a staggering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's advanced suspension systems, including AIRMATIC and E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling, making it feel agile despite its size. However, fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with the AMG GLE 53 averaging 16 mpg and the GLE 580 rated at 16/21/18 mpg.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. The 14.1-kWh battery provided an electric-only range of up to 20 miles and could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with a Level 2 charger. The Q5 PHEV achieved an impressive 65 MPGe combined, with a gasoline-only rating of 27 mpg combined. The seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and full-time Quattro all-wheel drive ensured smooth and responsive driving. The Q5's handling was balanced, with minimal body roll and powerful braking, making it a fun and efficient crossover to drive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models featuring two rows of seats and an optional third row for seating up to seven. The second-row seats had power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments, and could slide and fold for easier access to the third row. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five seats, with a sloping roofline and slimmer windows that made the rear space feel smaller. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded, while the Coupe offered 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, with a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls, rocker switches, and driving mode shortcuts were easy to use, though the thumbpads on the steering wheel could be fussy.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, allowing two adults to sit comfortably and a third adult to squeeze in for shorter rides. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row also featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center-console armrest. The Q5's interior was well-designed and functional, with everything laid out smartly.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, capable of reading hand gestures. The system could be controlled via the touchpad or right thumbpad, and it became easier to use with familiarity. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions and GPS lap timing. The Seat Kinetics system made small adjustments to the seat as you drove, and the car could set the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel based on your height. Other features included perfume canisters, Energizing Comfort with spa music, heated armrests, and bolsters that inflated when you steered. The head-up display and instrument panel were customizable, and the ambient lighting offered 64 colors. The navigation system projected the front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. The GLE also included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a natural voice assistant.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came with Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, providing a built-in transponder compatible with most toll road services. The Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was also included.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, identical to the 2021 model, earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for top ratings in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. Pre-Safe Sound played a "pink noise" to reduce hearing damage in a crash, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side could inflate the side bolsters of the front seats in a side impact.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 gasoline model received top "good" ratings in every category except headlights, which received a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars but had not yet rated the PHEV. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.