Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Level: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 9 Nov 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLC
6 of 27 standard · no option data · 21 no dataFrom
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 150kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 600L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$140,600RRP
- cannot be matched: Sunroof and Panoramic Roof not offered
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi Q8 e-tron 50 e-tron SUV
$140,600
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia
No published drive-away price on our record.
Mercedes-Benz GLC GLC200 4MATIC
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $393 a week in repayments ($89,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC starts $50,700 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Finance
≈$393/wk(≈$1,701/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLC at $89,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLCDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Audi Q8 e-tron at 5 stars (2019) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Audi Q8 e-tron and 92% for the Mercedes-Benz GLC, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron, against 0 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems. Airbag count is 8 in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 10 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron and 0 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi Q8 e-tron
- REC-006599 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the mounting bolts connecting the brake pedal rod and the brake servo may not have been tightened to the sufficient torque and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
Mercedes-Benz GLC
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006414 · published 29 Aug 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering coupling bolts may not meet specifications and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006318 · published 28 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the high-voltage starter generator may experience an intermittent overload, which could deactivate functions of the system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- 26 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
95kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 170kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q8 e-tron features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The Audi Q8 e-tron stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, power tailgate and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Mercedes-Benz GLC counters with panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi Q8 e-tron gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q8 e-tron uses a Electric producing 250kW and 664Nm of torque, sent through a two-stage planetary gearbox with single gear to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi Q8 e-tron is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 199mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 4,716mm (2,888mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q8 e-tron generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLC a 31L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLC leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mercedes-Benz GLC's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.9 m against 12.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q8 e-tron) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLC).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q8 e-tron: more power (250kW against 150kW).
The Mercedes-Benz GLC: the lower starting price ($89,900 against $140,600), the bigger boot with the seats up (600L against 569L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg).
The Verdict
Level: here's what splits them
The Audi Q8 e-tron (71) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (62) are too close to call on the figures we hold. What splits them: performance (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 22 points), value (Mercedes-Benz GLC ahead by 7 points). Boot space with the seats up: 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron, 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Ways to buy
For the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Finance
≈$393/wk(≈$1,701/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLC at $89,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLCDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the cheapest at $89,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q8 e-tron by $50,700.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q8 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019) and Mercedes-Benz GLC holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the largest boot at 600L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q8 e-tron makes the most power at 250kW. The Audi Q8 e-tron is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & Mercedes-Benz GLC
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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