It’s no secret that Audi and Mercedes-Benz are dominant players in the luxury car market. Over the decades, these two manufacturers have honed their philosophies to a fine point, and those efforts have not gone unrewarded -- in fact, both have legions of ardent fans. But only facts, not fandom, can answer how Audi and Mercedes-Benz compare.
As an Audi dealer near Rocklin, we know the impressiveness of today’s Audi models firsthand. Whether we’re talking about the fiery performance of an RS6 Avant and RS Q8 or the all-electric excellence of the entire e-tron® lineup, every new Audi for sale in California is innovative, high-tech and upscale.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Audi is superior to Mercedes-Benz. Want proof? Check out our detailed analysis below -- or book an Audi test-drive at The Niello Company today.
Audi vs. Mercedes-Benz: EV Comparison
Electric cars are the latest battle ground among luxury automotive manufacturers, and both Audi and Mercedes-Benz now offer several different EVs for sale. Compare Mercedes-Benz and Audi EVs in detail, though, and you’ll see why the Audi e-tron® family outclasses the Mercedes EQ lineup.
Let’s start with the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Audi Q4 e-tron®. The entry-level Q4 e-tron® boasts a 5.8-second 0-60 mph time, 295 horsepower and an 82-kWh battery size. The EQB? It takes a glacial 8.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, largely due to its meager 188 horsepower and 70.5 kWh battery. In other words, the EQB is slower and less powerful than the Q4 e-tron®.
Audi Q4 e-tron®
- Horsepower: 295
- 0-60 mph, sec.: 5.8
- Battery Size, kWh: 82
Mercedes-Benz EQB
- Horsepower: 188
- 0-60 mph, sec.: 8.0
- Battery Size, kWh: 70.5
At the other end of the EV spectrum lie the Mercedes EQS Sedan and Audi e-tron® GT. The latter is the flagship Audi EV, as its specs make clear: the base e-tron® GT features 523 horsepower and an advanced DC charging architecture that enables it to charge from 5%-80% in just 22.5 minutes. It can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.
As for the EQS Sedan? Aside from its slower DC charging speeds, expect just 329 horsepower and a 5.9-second 0-60 mph time from the standard model. Those figures are particularly embarrassing for Mercedes-Benz, as it means their most premium electric sedan is, in standard trim, slower to 60 mph than the base e-tron® Q4.
Audi e-tron® GT
- Horsepower: 523
- 0-60 mph, sec.: 3.9
- DC Charge Time, min.: 22.5 (5-80% capacity)
Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
- Horsepower: 329
- 0-60 mph, sec.: 5.9
- DC Charge Time, min.: 31 (10-80% capacity)
Similar gulfs exist between other new Audi and Mercedes electric models as well. To us, this is nothing more than overwhelming proof as to why Mercedes-Benz takes a distance second place to Audi.
Audi vs. Mercedes-Benz: SUV Comparison
The dominance of Audi is equally apparent in their traditional lineup as well. And there’s no better way to demonstrate this than by comparing the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Let’s start with the new Audi Q5, for sale in California now. It offers luxurious amenities, impressive performance, even an available plug-in hybrid. Up to 362 horsepower and 23 miles of range is on tap from the Q5 PHEV, and all trims offer a bevy of safety and infotainment technologies, including features like a Bang & Olufsen® sound system with 3D sound and Audi virtual cockpit plus. Every Q5 near Rocklin also features standard Audi quattro®, the brand’s legendary all-wheel drive system.
Now consider the GLC. Does it offer all-electric driving capability to rival the Q5 PHEV? No. What about a Bang & Olufsen® stereo system? Again, no. And forget about getting an AWD system with the same renown as quattro®. The GLC simply falls far short of the Q5.
Audi Q5
- Horsepower: 362
- All-Electric Driving Capability: Available
- Available Audio System: Bang & Olufsen® sound system with 3D sound
Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Horsepower: 255
- All-Electric Driving Capability: N/A
- Available Audio System: Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System
Buy an Audi Near Me
This comparison clearly showcases what our Sacramento Audi dealership has known all along: from EVs and SUVs to AWD and audio systems, Audi leaves Mercedes-Benz in a perpetual state of playing catch-up. The famed German automaker just can’t match what Audi offers.
You can see this firsthand when you contact The Niello Company for a test-drive and review. We’ll help you discover what distinguishes Audi from its biggest competitor, so you can buy a new Q5 or e-tron® in confidence. Stop in today to get started.
