Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| Q8 | GLS-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Audi | Mercedes-Benz |
| Starting price | $76,900 | $90,250 |
| Monthly payment | $894 | $1,050 |
| Fuel type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Fuel economy | 19.0 mpg | 16.5 mpg |
| CO₂ emissions | 459 g/mi | 428 g/mi–586 g/mi |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
The 2019-2020 Audi Q8 55 TFSI mild-hybrid models can experience a 48V belt-driven starter-generator (BSG) fault that causes sudden loss of motive power, engine stalling, or an 'Electrical System: Fault' warning. This can lead to limp-home mode, an inability to restart, and in some cases the engine cutting out while driving. Owners may notice the start/stop system malfunctioning before the full failure occurs. This issue has also been reported in 2020-2021 model years through service campaigns.
The only verified safety defect is a loose 48-volt ground cable located under the front passenger seat, part of a March 2024 recall covering 2019–2024 GLE and GLS models. For the GLS-Class, this affects the X167 generation built from 2020 through 2024 at the Vance, Alabama plant. If the cable was not properly tightened during assembly, the 48-volt system can generate excessive heat and create a risk of electrical failure or fire. Check the VIN for open recall status and have an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer inspect and tighten the cable at no charge.
Audi Q8 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
Q8 starts at $76,900; GLS-Class starts at $90,250. The difference is $13,350, making Q8 about 15% cheaper before financing.
Estimated monthly payment: Q8 — $894; GLS-Class — $1,050. The difference is $156 per month, with Q8 lower.
Both models use Hybrid. Fuel economy is Q8 — 19.0 mpg; GLS-Class — 16.5 mpg. Q8 uses less energy in everyday driving.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
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