Audi and Mercedes-Benz put through reliability tests and the German giants are closer than ever
Published on Jun 23, 2026 at 12:05 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jun 23, 2026 at 8:20 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have been battling one another for ages.
The gap is sometimes wider, sometimes narrower, but it has always been a three-way fight.
However, to truly understand the dynamics, you sometimes have to isolate two of the contenders – in this case, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
The gap was narrow, but there was a clear winner.
Audi vs. Mercedes-Benz – which brand is more reliable?
Consumer Reports compared these two brands in five categories: Compact Luxury Sedans, Midsize Luxury Sedans, Compact Luxury SUVs, Midsize Luxury SUVs, and Luxury EVs.
Let’s start with the segments where Audi shone.
According to data collected by CR, the A6 easily outperforms the Mercedes E-Class in the Midsize Luxury Sedan category, as the current-generation E-Class has been plagued by in-cabin software bugs, lagging screen responses, and unexpected battery drain.
CR came to a similar conclusion for the Midsize Luxury SUV category, and for the same reason: the GLE has the same electronic and infotainment bugs as the E-Class.
Audi also won in the Compact Luxury SUV category, where the Q5 was able to beat the GLC in terms of customers satisfaction.
As for the Luxury EV segment, there was bad news for both brands.
According to CR, it was a tie, but only because both were equally bad.
Mercedes ended up winning only in only one category: Compact Luxury Sedans.
The Mercedes C-Class edges out the Audi A4/A5.
Interestingly, even though Audi won three out of five and one was a tie, CR still concluded that the overall winner was… Mercedes.
Why Mercedes walked away with the win
Even though Audi won 3 out of the 5 segments (and tied the electric segment), Mercedes-Benz took the overall crown because of the sheer size of its point margins.
When Audi won a segment, it did so by a very slim margin.
However, in the single segment where Mercedes won – the Compact Luxury Sedan category – the C-Class scored so significantly higher than the glitchy, newly-redesigned A5.
Ultimately, the real moral of the story is that both brands are underperforming and losing ground to BMW.
In recent years, BMW has experienced a massive surge in sales and an even greater leap in reliability rankings.
And, more importantly, it is one of the few European automakers that are capable of competing in the EV segment.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
