Audi Q7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
Verdict
The Audi Q7 is RM36,616 cheaper and gives the more traditional big-SUV advantage: seven seats, 770 litres of boot space and a 333 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre engine that does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs more, seats five and has a smaller 490-litre boot, but its plug-in hybrid hardware brings a 31.0 kWh battery, 114 km EV range, a longer four-year warranty and much lower RM440 annual road tax. For Malaysia, this is space and pace versus electric running.
Pick the Audi Q7 if you need seven seats, a larger boot and stronger performance for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can live with five seats and want plug-in hybrid EV range, lower road tax and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q7 RM462,272; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888
- Seats: Audi Q7 7; Mercedes-Benz GLE 5
- Output: Audi Q7 333 hp/500 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp/400 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q7 5.6 s; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 s
- Boot space: Audi Q7 770 L; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 L
- Warranty and road tax: Audi Q7 2 years/RM1,632; Mercedes-Benz GLE 4 years/RM440
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 462,272✓ | RM 498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | 2,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 333 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.6 s✓ | 6.1 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 31.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 114 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,052 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,968 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,740 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,994 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Boot space | 770 L✓ | 490 L |
| Fuel tank | 85 L | 85 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 4✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 1,632 | RM 440✓ |
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.
Q7
- Seven-seat cabin
- Bigger 770-litre boot
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h
- Higher RM1,632 annual road tax
- Shorter 2-year warranty
- No quoted EV range
GLE
- 114 km quoted EV range
- Longer 4-year warranty
- Lower RM440 annual road tax
- Five seats only
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h
Q7 vs GLE FAQ
Is the Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Audi Q7 is better for space and performance, with seven seats, 770 litres and 333 hp. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is better for plug-in hybrid use, with 114 km EV range, lower road tax and a four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM36,616 more than the Audi Q7, at RM498,888 versus RM462,272.
Which one is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is cheaper to tax, with annual road tax of RM440. The Audi Q7’s annual road tax is RM1,632.