Every 2026 Audi Q5 comes with quattro® all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Audi pairs the system with a seven-speed S tronic® transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI® four-cylinder engine. The Mercedes-Benz GLC takes a different approach. The GLC 300 is available with rear-wheel drive, while shoppers seeking all-wheel-drive capability can select the GLC 300 4MATIC®. For shoppers comparing AWD-equipped luxury SUVs, that distinction simplifies the Audi side of the decision: quattro is already part of the Q5's standard configuration.

The Q5 Holds the Horsepower and Acceleration Advantage

The Audi Q5 produces 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Audi rates the Q5 at 5.8 seconds from 0–60 mph. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC® produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and has a manufacturer-rated 0–60 mph time of 6.0 seconds. Both deliver the same manufacturer-rated torque figure, but the Q5 adds 13 horsepower and reaches 60 mph two-tenths of a second sooner according to their respective OEM specifications.

Audi's Digital Stage Puts More Screen Space at the Center

The 2026 Q5 cabin is built around what Audi calls its digital stage. An 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit integrates with a 14.5-inch MMI® touch display, creating a broad, driver-oriented interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are also supported. An available Technology package extends the setup with a 10.9-inch MMI® passenger display and head-up display. The GLC 300 uses the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.9-inch central touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard as well. For drivers who prefer a larger central touchscreen, the Q5's 14.5-inch MMI display is a notable difference.

Distinct Luxury Design Philosophies

The Audi Q5 combines a wide Singleframe grille with sculpted headlights, a muscular body, and a sleek roofline. At the rear, an LED light strip reinforces the Q5's contemporary Audi design language. LED headlights are standard, while customizable daytime running light signatures and OLED taillights are available. The Mercedes-Benz GLC follows a softer, flowing design approach. Its exterior incorporates LED lighting, while 19-inch AMG® wheels and a Panorama roof are among the features highlighted for the current GLC lineup.

The result is a clear visual contrast: the Q5 leans into crisp lines and a wide, technical stance, while the GLC uses more rounded surfaces and traditional Mercedes-Benz styling cues.

Experience the 2026 Audi Q5 at Audi Fort Lauderdale. Explore available Q5 models, compare features and configurations, and schedule a test drive to see how standard quattro® all-wheel drive and Audi's latest digital technology fit your drive through South Florida.