2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the GLC — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.7% vs 36.7%) and more available power (483 hp vs 362 hp). The Q5 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: GLC 3.5 pts · Q5 0 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 GLC | 2027 Q5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $53,300 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 41.7% | 36.7% | GLC |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | — | 24 mpg | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 483 hp | 362 hp | GLC |
| Max towing (1) | 5,291 lb | 4,400 lb | GLC |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 27.6 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 8% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 6 | No data |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 0 | GLC |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Family. Families: it's a wash — GLC 5 vs Q5 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the GLC — 41.7% vs 36.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the GLC — 5,291 lb vs 4,400 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Q5 buyers paid a median 8% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10% off. Used, the median asking price is $35,544 for the GLC and $25,460 for the Q5 (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- GLC: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q5 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 GLC | 2027 Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $53,300 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $67,300 |
| Horsepower | 255–483 hp | 268–362 hp |
| Max torque | 590 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | — | 24 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,291 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 27.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) GLC lists for a median $24,965 — 41.7% of today's median new price of $59,848. A 5-year-old (2021) Q5 lists for a median $22,166 — 36.7% of today's median new price of $60,431.
Shop both
- See 11,161 new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLCs for sale →Median listed price $61,445 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2027 Audi Q5s for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Mercedes-Benz GLC
More on the Audi Q5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the GLC better than the Q5?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the GLC — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (41.7% vs 36.7%) and more available power (483 hp vs 362 hp). The Q5 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the GLC or the Q5?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the GLC or the Q5?
The GLC: a 5-year-old example lists for 41.7% of the new price, versus 36.7% for the Q5, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the GLC or the Q5?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the GLC or the Q5?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mercedes-benz-glc-vs-audi-q5, updated November 8, 2026.