Audi SQ8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Mercedes-Benz GLS (2026)
The classic luxury suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Audi SQ8 if you want the most power (500 bhp).
- Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the lowest starting price (₹1.00 Crore).
- Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want the most seats (7).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Audi SQ8 in short
The SQ8 arrived in India in March 2026 as a fully-imported performance flagship: a 507 PS 4.0L twin-turbo V8 in the Q8's coupe-SUV body, monospec at ₹1.777 crore. It slots between the standard Q8 (₹1.131 crore) and the wilder RS Q8 (₹2.338 crore), and lands within ₹20,000 of the BMW X6 M60i — the most directly matched pair of rivals in Indian luxury pricing.
Full SQ8 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 →Mercedes-Benz GLS in short
The GLS is Mercedes' full-size seven-seat SUV — the 'S-Class of SUVs' — priced from ₹1.375 crore for the petrol GLS 450 and ₹1.397 crore for the GLS 450d diesel, both 3.0L six-cylinders with 4MATIC. It is locally assembled in India, which keeps it sharply priced against the CBU BMW X7. We currently list only the two officially confirmed base prices; the trim ladder above them is under verification after aggregator listings disagreed.
Full GLS prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
SQ8 vs GLE vs GLS — which should I buy?
Pick the Audi SQ8 if you want the most power (500 bhp). Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you want the lowest starting price (₹1.00 Crore). Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want the most seats (7). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among SQ8, GLE, GLS?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE starts lowest at ₹1.00 Crore, against ₹1.38 Crore for the GLS and ₹1.78 Crore for the SQ8 (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Audi SQ8: not yet NCAP-tested; Mercedes-Benz GLE: not yet NCAP-tested; Mercedes-Benz GLS: not yet NCAP-tested.