Audi SQ8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS vs Porsche Macan (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 GLS if you want the most seats (7).
- Pick the Porsche Macan if you want the lowest starting price (₹91.09 Lakh).
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 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 →Porsche Macan in short
The Macan is a two-generation story in one showroom: the previous-generation petrol Macan continues at ₹91.09 lakh with a 265 PS 2.0L turbo — the cheapest way into a new Porsche in India — while the new-generation Macan is electric-only, from ₹1.22 crore for the base Macan Electric through the 4S at ₹1.63 crore to the Turbo at ₹1.78 crore. That petrol car is the entry point to the whole brand. Rivals span the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3 (petrol) to the BMW iX and Audi electric SUVs.
Full Macan prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
SQ8 vs GLS vs Macan — which should I buy?
Pick the Audi SQ8 if you want the most power (500 bhp). Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you want the most seats (7). Pick the Porsche Macan if you want the lowest starting price (₹91.09 Lakh). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among SQ8, GLS, Macan?
The Porsche Macan starts lowest at ₹91.09 Lakh, 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 GLS: not yet NCAP-tested; Porsche Macan: not yet NCAP-tested.