Audi Q8 vs BMW X7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE (2026)
The classic luxury suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Audi Q8 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the BMW X7 if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the lowest starting price (₹1.00 Crore), the most power (443 bhp), the biggest boot (630 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Audi Q8 in short
The Q8 is Audi's flagship coupe-SUV in India, sold since its August 2024 facelift as a single 55 TFSI quattro variant at ₹1.131 crore. It pairs the Q7's V6 petrol underpinnings with a sportier five-seat coupe body and a still-practical 605-litre boot. Rivals are the BMW X5's top trims and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé — the Q8 is the style pick that stays this side of the performance-SUV price jump.
Full Q8 prices & variants →BMW X7 in short
The X7 is BMW's full-size three-row flagship SUV, priced ₹1.307–1.371 crore in India across three variants — the seven-seat xDrive40d Design Pure Excellence, the xDrive40i M Sport petrol, and the six-seat xDrive40d M Sport with captain's chairs. All run 3.0L six-cylinder engines with xDrive. It squares up against the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which counters with local assembly and a lower price.
Full X7 prices & variants →Mercedes-Benz GLE in short
The GLE is Mercedes' large luxury SUV for India, running from ₹1.00 crore for the 300d AMG Line to ₹1.52 crore for the 449 PS AMG GLE 53 Coupé. In between sit six-cylinder petrol (450) and diesel (450d) variants plus Night Edition trims, all with 4MATIC and a 630-litre boot. India-spec cars are five-seaters. It competes with the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 — the Q7 counters with seven seats, the GLE with its engine breadth.
Full GLE prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q8 vs X7 vs GLE — which should I buy?
Pick the Audi Q8 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Pick the BMW X7 if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the lowest starting price (₹1.00 Crore), the most power (443 bhp), the biggest boot (630 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Q8, X7, GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE starts lowest at ₹1.00 Crore, against ₹1.13 Crore for the Q8 and ₹1.31 Crore for the X7 (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Audi Q8: not yet NCAP-tested; BMW X7: not yet NCAP-tested; Mercedes-Benz GLE: not yet NCAP-tested.