Compare

Audi Q7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

2026 Audi Q7 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q7

2026 Audi Q7

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 3Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class wins 3 of 5 categories
🚗

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Audi Q7 is more fuel-efficient: 22 vs 21 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $150 a year less in fuel for the Audi Q7 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 31).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q7 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,938 lb.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 206 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,074 lb (Amg 63 4matic 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q7 and the 2024 GLS-Class have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Q7.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
21 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,900

Performance & space

335 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
199.2 in
Length
205.1 in
77.6 in
Width
79.9 in
68.5 in
Height
71.7 in
4,938 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,468 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
–
1
Recalls (2026)
0
31
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
2
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

17,245
Wikipedia views, 30 days
–

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2017
Year to avoid
–

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q7 if…

  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 31 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q7

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • 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 GLS-Class

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

Full 2026 Audi Q7 specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →