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Audi Q5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

2026 Audi Q5 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q5

2026 Audi Q5

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS0 – 4Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class wins 4 of 4 categories
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Special Purpose Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is more fuel-efficient: 28 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $450 a year less in fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q5 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 34).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q5 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a special purpose vehicle offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,759 lb (250 4matic 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q5 and the 2024 GLB-Class have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Q5.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
28 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
25 city
$3,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,950

Performance & space

268 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
185.8 in
Length
182.3 in
74.8 in
Width
72 in
64.2 in
Height
65.4 in
4,343 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,759 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
–
0
Recalls (2026)
0
34
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

14,151
Wikipedia views, 30 days
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Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2018
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q5 if…

  • You want more room (4 in longer)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (28 vs 24 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 34 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q5

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi Q5 specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →