Verdict
These are markedly different propositions despite the close pricing: the Audi Q7 costs RM18,384 more, but brings seven seats, a 770-litre boot and a 2,994-mm wheelbase for buyers regularly carrying family or luggage. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is the quicker, more compact choice, reaching 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds against 5.6 seconds while producing 402 hp to the Q7’s 333 hp. Its RM380 annual road tax also undercuts the Audi’s RM1,632 bill by RM1,252. Pick by use case, not badge: space versus pace.
Pick the Audi Q7 if you need seven seats, 770 litres of boot space and its adaptive air suspension with all-wheel steering.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class if you want 402 hp, a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q7 RM462,272; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class RM443,888.
- Performance: Audi Q7 333 hp and 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class 402 hp and 4.6 seconds.
- Practicality: Audi Q7 has 7 seats and a 770-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class has 5 seats and a 455-litre boot.
- Dimensions: Audi Q7 is 5,052 mm long with a 2,994-mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is 4,751 mm long with a 2,865-mm wheelbase.
- Running cost: Audi Q7 road tax is RM1,632 per year; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class road tax is RM380 per year.
- Warranty: Audi Q7 gets 2 years with unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class gets 4 years with unlimited mileage.
Q7
- Seven seats and a 770-litre boot.
- Adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering.
- 85-litre fuel tank and 22-inch wheels.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 5.6 seconds versus 4.6 seconds.
- RM1,252 higher annual road tax.
- Two-year warranty versus four years.
AMG C-Class
- 402 hp and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM380 annual road tax.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and panoramic glass roof.
- Only five seats and a 455-litre boot.
- No air suspension or all-wheel steering.
- Smaller 50-litre fuel tank versus 85 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 462,272 | RM 443,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing, 48V Electric Motor Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 333 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Torque | 500 Nm | 500 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed tiptronic | AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,052 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,968 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,740 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,994 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 770 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/35R22 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/35R22 | 265/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for three middle row passenger seats and two last row seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | Digital Light LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Rear | 4x Front USB-C, 1x Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Panoramic Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with MIB 3, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Soft-close Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,632 | RM 380✓ |
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 Q7 & AMG C-Class for sale
Q7 vs AMG C-Class FAQ
Is the Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class better?
The Audi Q7 is better for seven-seat family carrying and luggage, with 770 litres of boot space. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is better for performance and recurring costs, thanks to 402 hp, a 4.6-second sprint and RM380 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q7 costs RM18,384 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class. That extra outlay brings a larger SUV body, seven seats, 770 litres of boot space, air suspension and all-wheel steering.
Which is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class is cheaper to tax at RM380 per year, against RM1,632 for the Audi Q7. The annual difference is RM1,252 in the Mercedes-Benz’s favour.