Audi SQ2 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
What's the difference?

Audi SQ2

—

2021 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

$65,400 - $106,228

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLA250

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Toyota Landcruiser 70 Series

Summary

2021 Audi SQ2

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

By Laura Berry

By Tim Nicholson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.0L/100km (combined)

6.1L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good value
SQ2 has great performance
Angular looks

Exterior design
Impressive, useful in-car tech
More refined than predecessor

Dislikes

Cabin feels old
Could have more standard safety tech
Rear legroom limited

Standard glass roof
Expensive servicing costs
No spare wheel

2021 Audi SQ2 Summary

Audi’s littlest and most affordable SUV, the Q2, has been updated with new looks and tech, but something else has snuck in with it. Or should I say roared in? It’s the SQ2, with a whopping 300 horsepower and a snarling bark.

So, this review has something for everybody. It’s for those who want to know what’s new for the Q2 in this latest update - those thinking of buying a cool-looking little SUV from Audi - and for those who want to wake their neighbours up and frighten their friends.

Ready? Let’s go.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Summary

There’s nothing quite like the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It’s a smallish mid-size SUV with a third seating row (strictly for small children… ), it has a distinctive boxy shape, and for the second generation, you can have a mild-hybrid or fully-electric powertrain. It is the definition of versatile.

The previous GLB was petrol only and Mercedes also offered the similar looking EQB as part of its EQ electric sub-brand. The separate EV model strategy wasn’t working so the German carmaker followed rival BMW’s plan of simply offering electric versions of popular models. Hence the two powertrain options for the new GLB.

This time around Benz has sharpened up pricing, added a bunch of new tech, and developed a new vehicle architecture, while retaining what buyers loved about the original.

Is the new-gen GLB a success?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2021 Audi SQ2 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Verdict

The Q2 is good value and great to drive – especially the SQ2. The exterior looks new, but the cabin feels older than the larger Q3, and most other Audi models.

More standard advanced safety tech would make the Q2 even more appealing, as would a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. While we’re at it, a hybrid variant would make enormous sense.

So, a great car, but Audi could offer more to make it an even better proposition for buyers.

Verdict

The new GLB is a worthy successor to the original. It has retained everything that made it such a unique proposition but improves where it counts - interior space and comfort, in-car and safety tech, standard features, powertrain, ride quality and, importantly, value-for-money.

The EV is the pick of the powertrains and while I didn’t get to drive it, the GLB250+ is the best value.

Servicing is expensive and the standard glass roof is a bugbear but if you can cope with those things, the boxy GLB is a terrific smallish family SUV.

Audi SQ2 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi SQ2 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
What's the difference?