I have gone back and forth so many times I am getting a headache. This is the stereotypical if I could take the strongest attributes of each contender, I could build the perfect beast.

I am currently driving an Acura RDX and while it has been reliable, to me the Acura badge is a premium badge at best it is no longer or one could argue never was a luxury line.

I have a 65K budget for my new SUV and I think I have it down to the GLC or the Audi SQ5. The mercedes fit and finish is second to none but the Audi is no slouch either. The SQ5 styling is getting tired and is going to be refreshed this coming year but will be built in Mexico...Red flag in my book and it is unclear if the S line will even be offered right away.

The GLC is hand down more advanced in the tech department the Audi you cant even find a USB port. Apple Carplay is not offered in either from what I can tell.

The interior the Mercedes is a clear winner. It screams high end with the HUGE exception being the I-pad slapped on the dash. The wife said it would be a show stopper for her. I can get past this as the cabin is really well done in the GLC. The Audi is very nice inside the cabin once you add the needed options like sport seats and so on.

Under the hood is were the confusion really comes into play. If it was a GLC vs. the standard line Audi Q5 this is not a horse race the GLC would be the clear winner. But put the big S in front of the Audi and get the SQ5 and the Audi is a fire breathing dragon that is just simply a blast to drive. I can't believe it is a and SUV it handles terrific and makes quick work of passing on the highway. In dynamic mode it is just in another league when it comes to driving pleasure. The GLC is very nice ride but the 2.0 leaves a bit to be desired! I could wait until the 2.1 diesel is offered later this year but I am not sure this would scratch the itch either.

Lastly, I plan to keep the next truck 10 years. The prospect of ownership costs of the SQ5 is a bit scary to say the least. I have had 3 Audi's 2 great ones that were a joy to own and another not so much. I thing the GLC would fair much better over the course of 10 years of ownership.

I have literally changed my mind 10 times. I know it comes down to what aspects of ownership are important to ME..I also know I am posting this decision question the the GLC forum so views may be a bit tilted in the MB camp but I would love to hear what folks think..

Thanks everyone!

 

If you can wait; If you desire more power;

Suggest you to wait for GLC with AMG engine. Not current AMG package on GLC. It's only AMG-looking, not real AMG power under the hood.
Pretty much like GLA. MB offer GLA250 and AMG GLA45

Maybe it will call GLC45 (or 63?) and have chance to see it later this year.

Q5 is really old now and facing brand new next generation this year. Won't consider that.

 

when a German Car company starts manufacturing their cars in Mexico, RUN, don't walk away from the deal. they are trying to put more money back into their pockets without giving us any price breaks.

"There is no substitute for Quality"

 

GLC with AMG = 15K?

 

Would not buy a Mexican Audi! Scary Proposition. The GLC 300 drives fantastic. I think you can also consider the 350e plug in hybrid or the AMG 43 when they are released.

 

No Mexican built german car for this cowboy...That is why I need to make a decision soon. I just wise there were more options for engine in the GLC..

 

i agree with the above poster - what you really want is the GLC 450 AMG. . .if you can wait it'll be the best of both worlds.

 

Diesel here in Oz works brilliantly, in sports+ mode it is quite quick off the lights. Yes it's only 2.1lt, but diesel has great low down torque and power band. Will you be towing anything ?
Economy here great as well. Look at the 10 year focus, you won't be lead footing it on every occasion. If you really wanted to consider a "chip" to boost performance once warranty is over. Some sellers from Germany guarantee no impact on car or warranty, but with so many on board computers I guess their data records will show some interesting performance figures in the black box.
Best bang for buck with GLC.
GOOD LUCK ����

 

When deciding for the GLC, my only contender was the BMW X3. I was comparing the GLC 250d vs the X3 30d M. On the mountain-road there is no contest. The X3 30d M (258 BHP) blows the GLC 250d (204 BHP) off the road. Why the GLC? My wife likes the GLC's design both exterior and interior. Technology wise the GLC is far more advanced. Big cost difference. On the highway the GLC much more confortable (I am getting the air suspension).

 

I will only be loading the GLC up with golf clubs or a bike rack so no heavy towing. It looks like my best bet is GLC with the coming AMG or the diesel model yet to be released here in the US...

 

My observation is that US drivers wanting a GLC BluTek will need to be very patient as it is going to be a very, very long wait.

 

I wouldn't wait for any diesel models in the USA. We can thank VW for completely destroying the market here. As you mention, the Q5 is getting a redesign for 2018 (including the slick virtual cockpit). The tech in the 2017 model is about the same as the tech in my 2012 A3 (in other words, stone age). I ended up going with the GLC (en route to Long Beach right now!) for several of the issues you mentioned. The interior is more luxurious and the tech is better. I'm more of a fuel efficiency guy than a horsepower guy, so that didn't play into my purchasing decision (I would've loved a high mileage diesel to replace my recalled TDI, but that's not going to happen).

 

I may be wrong but the 2.1 diesel is already old (but good) tech, so not sure but wouldn't they skip that and go straight to the new 2.0 (diesel) they put in the new E class?

Max

 

I think Mercedes is going to pull out of US for Diesels. I would not plan on seeing them here. I do not know if I would buy the upcoming Q5. Made in Mexico. ? Quality.

 

I think both current diesel models are woefully underpowered, really didn't like them. Now the 350d bluetec is a different beast and to me would be perfect for the GLC.

 

Are you kidding? Compared to what??

 

They just are. I found the same with the 2.0 Q5 the 3.0Q5 is more like it as is the diesel Macan. So by itself and the competition in my opinion.

 

SQ5 Hands down. We already have a GLC300 and it is a nice SUV just a little unfinished. It is not powerfull by any stretch and the start/stop is just a hassle since it can't remeber its last setting. The SQ5 does not have a USB port but the GLC does except it is low current and not much use to charge a Note5 from completely dead. The suspension on the GLC is also not as refined either especially on large sweepers with bumps. THat being said my wife loves it and that is fine by me as it suits her well. The SQ5 is a beast even compared to the GLC43, a pulley and stage 2 tune and it becomes unreal. Aside from usb the SQ5 comes with leather and a host of features that are just optional on the GLC. The GLC is cute though. Support forums for the SQ5 are a lot better than the GLC forum as well.

 

This is funny, I had the same issue three weeks ago. I was test driving both the Q5 and GLC models. Then I went all in and jumped to the SQ5. I felt stylistically It couldn't compete with the GLC. Performance wise though it killed the GLC300...


But then I test drove the GLC43 AMG with the night package. It preformed just as well as the SQ5. When I drove the SQ5 I felt that there was more power than control, the car didn't inspire confidence in me. It was as if the car wasn't very forgiving, if you made a mistake driving it, it would cost you.


Now driving the GLC43, now this car was ***** to the wall fun to drive and felt like it was there to help support me if there was a mistake. The Car salesman told me punch it when he told me to...he had put the car in sport+ mode while I was paying attention to the road. He then had me punch while going on a curvy onramp to the highway, in mere seconds I was at 90mph and the car was planted and holding the corner like a champ. I had attempted this on a similar on ramp when driving the SQ5, I personally didn't feel comfortable pushing the car even to 60, I felt that it would roll.


So needless to say I am now a proud owner of GLC43!

 

You're comparing a modified SQ5 to a non-modified GLC.....what do you expect?
Anyway...enjoy your ride.

 

I'm sorry were you referring to my comparison? Both the SQ5 and the GLC43 are the high end sports editions of Q5 and GLC. So I'm confused as to the "modified" portion of your response, could you please elaborate?


If that wasn't intended to me totally disregard my ignorance please.

 

The stock SQ5 on its own is a beast and compares very well to the GLC43. The SQ5 (aside from usb ports), comes with a lot more options right off the bat compared the GLC43 as well. That being said it is very easy to get even more power out of the SQ5 right off the bat compared to the GLC43. You can also get a SQ5 right now for the a little less than a moderately equipped GLC300! We did drive a GLC43 and I would not take it over the SQ5.

Now Ill make it even cloudier. The Q5 3.0 has the exact same engine as the SQ5 (internals and all) the only difference being the ecu tuning file. You can get a screaming deal on a Q5 3.0 tune it and have the exact same amount of power that the tuned SQ5 would have. I have the SQ5 and the wife has the GLC if that helps. I do the maintenance on both of them as well and from that aspect they are about equal.

 

Yes, but it will be a stock tranny, chassis, suspension, brakes, etc., supporting a much higher-output engine. Not a good long-term proposition, putting more stress on those other parts. The tranny may fail much earlier than it would have with stock output from the engine, not to mention warranty issues. As fun as it would be, not for me, thanks.

 

Same ZF 8spd. Shocks and springs are valved differently though. Q5 3.0 has a better caliper compared to the SQ5 as well (opposed piston vs floating) What is a warranty anyway