SUV WARS! Which WINS In A Head-to-Head? Audi Q7 vs. Mercedes GLS...

SUV WARS! Which WINS In A Head-to-Head? Audi Q7 vs. Mercedes GLS...
For the past 24 months we've been really documenting all of the important, new sport-utility vehicles and trucks making their way to market. And, since we know our audience is keen on imports, we've provided an extra bit of focus there.

There's no question that many buyers cross shop thee Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Both have been historically quite good but there's some changes as of late.

The Q7 is fresh from having an mid-lifecycle update and the GLS is an all-new product.

Our friends at Auto Express recently put them both together for a head-to-head to see which one takes the crown. Below, I've provided you with the verdict, however, if you want to read the FULL piece, click "Read Article," after the jump.

So, WHICH SUV you'd like to put in your driveway? The Q7? The GLS?



Verdict

First place: Audi Q7

The latest Q7 is the best yet, and combines several key factors to achieve this road test win. Most importantly, it’s more comfortable than the GLS because it has a more composed ride. It’s also better to drive than its competitor, and quite a bit cheaper to run, especially if you’re buying on finance. It’s nearly as well equipped, despite being cheaper, and delivers just as much performance and luxury.

Second place: Mercedes GLS

The GLS is one of the most luxurious SUVs around, so it’s no shame to come second here. It can’t quite match its rival’s ride quality, because it’s not able to control body roll enough for total comfort, but it’s extremely practical, has every bit of kit you could want and its new engine is smooth, powerful and relatively efficient. It’s expensive, though, and not as good to drive as the Q7 either.


Read Article

Section_31_JTKSection_31_JTK - 1/20/2020 1:06:09 AM
-1 Boost
The Q7 3rd row seats are vestigial. It's not really a true 3 row suv.


malba2367malba2367 - 1/20/2020 7:17:45 AM
+2 Boost
The Mercedes wins for its intended purpose (family hauler). The Audi Q7 does handle much better but not really the point here.


mre30mre30 - 1/20/2020 8:32:52 AM
-1 Boost
The Brits has always had a positive "Audi-Bias".

Kind of similar to how 10 years ago, all US automotive journalists had a 'pro-BMW' bias.

Meaningless article


cidflekkencidflekken - 1/20/2020 1:46:44 PM
+4 Boost
In a different sense, the Brits have always seemed to have an anti-Mercedes sentiment.


DeutschlandDeutschland - 1/20/2020 10:47:41 AM
+1 Boost
I don't really even get the comparison. It seems to me they are comparing a mid-size suv with a full size suv.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/20/2020 10:53:04 AM
+1 Boost
Hands down the Mercedes. The Audi is a big slice of terrible compared to the GLS and X7. In many ways an Atlas is a better design than the truly sub-standard Audi Touareg and the Atlas is a turd.


cidflekkencidflekken - 1/20/2020 11:26:44 AM
+3 Boost
Mercedes needs to add its optional AIRmatic suspension to all of its SUVs. I'd still take the GLS over the frumpy Q7 anyday.


GermanNutGermanNut - 1/20/2020 6:34:52 PM
+2 Boost
The Mercedes-Benz GLS doesn't really compete with the Audi Q7. The GLS is a large full-size SUV while the Q7 is a mid-size SUV. It's pathetic that Audi doesn't even offer a full-size, true three-row SUV to compete against the GLS and BMW X7 considering there were over 40,000 GLS and X7 sales last year combined.

Audi's lack of an offering in the full-size SUV segment is a massive failure of strategic planning.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/20/2020 7:25:18 PM
+1 Boost
The Q7 should be at the Q5 price point.

The Q8 should have been a large, upright, 3 row crossover.


GermanNutGermanNut - 1/20/2020 8:43:12 PM
+2 Boost
I agree with you 100% Matt. It's hard to believe Audi doesn't even have a GLS or X7 competitor it could launch within the next 12 months. Audi sold 14,235 units of its coupe-like Q8 in the U.S. last year while BMW and Mercedes-Benz each sold over 21,000 units of the X7 and GLS respectively.

It shows Audi's product strategy for the U.S. (and globally) is failing against its competitors.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/20/2020 9:48:19 PM
0 Boost
@GermanNut Audi = VW and VWAG = piss poor product strategy for the USA.

Audi should be consolidating its sedans A345 (merge the 3, 4, and 5) into one product and A678 merge the rest. It's time to forget having an S class competitor.

They need a Model S competitor and with the Germans coming to marker 100 miles LESS on range, that isn't in the cards.


TruthyTruthy - 1/21/2020 12:43:17 PM
+1 Boost
No surprise at the end of the article they said the Discovery is their favorite vehicle in this test. Really? A Discovery versus a GLS.


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