Verdict
The Audi Q3 costs RM269,900, undercutting the RM290,888 Mercedes-Benz GLB by RM20,988, and is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h at 8.9 seconds despite giving away 14 hp and 20 Nm. The GLB is the family-hauler choice: its 2,829-mm wheelbase is 149 mm longer and it has seven seats, versus five in the Q3. But its quoted 130-litre boot is far smaller than the Audi’s 530 litres. The Mercedes also brings autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring; the Q3 counters with a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty against two years.
Pick the Audi Q3 if you want the lower RM269,900 entry price, a 530-litre boot and a quicker 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, a 2,829-mm wheelbase and its added autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q3 RM269,900; Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888.
- Seating: Audi Q3 five seats; Mercedes-Benz GLB seven seats.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q3 8.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLB 9.3 seconds.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q3 2,680 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLB 2,829 mm.
- Boot space: Audi Q3 530 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLB 130 litres.
- Warranty: Audi Q3 five years/unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz GLB two years/unlimited mileage.
Q3
- RM20,988 less expensive.
- Quicker 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 530-litre boot and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Five seats versus the GLB’s seven.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or collision warning.
- Shorter 2,680-mm wheelbase than the GLB’s 2,829 mm.
GLB
- Seven-seat cabin with sliding second row and folding third row.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
- More power and torque: 161 hp and 270 Nm.
- Costs RM20,988 more.
- Slower 9.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 130-litre quoted boot space versus 530 litres in the Q3.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,900✓ | RM290,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100 | RM100 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,395 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 270 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed S-tronic | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds✓ | 9.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h | 207 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,484 mm | 4,634 mm |
| Width | 1,849 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,663 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,829 mm |
| Weight | 1,545 kg | 1,555 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 530 litres✓ | 130 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Mexico (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi virtual cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q3 & GLB for sale
Q3 vs GLB FAQ
Is the Audi Q3 or Mercedes-Benz GLB better?
The GLB is better for carrying up to seven people and adds autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Q3 is the better choice for a lower price, a 530-litre boot and quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM290,888 and the Audi Q3 costs RM269,900, so the GLB carries a RM20,988 premium.
Which has more usable family space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has seven seats and a 2,829-mm wheelbase, 149 mm longer than the Q3’s. The Audi Q3 has the larger quoted boot at 530 litres, compared with 130 litres for the GLB.