[Otto]

2015 Audi Q3 Specs
MSRP: $32,500
Engine: 2.0L I-4
HP: 200
Torque: 207 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 7.8 seconds
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway / 23 mpg combined
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.9 gallons
Length: 172.6 inches
Width: 62 inches

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class
MSRP: $31,300
Engine: 2.0L I-4
HP: 208
Torque: 258 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 6.4 seconds
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city / 35 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.8 gallons
Length: 173.9 inches
Width: 61 inches

The 2015 Audi Q3 and the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA match up wuite well against one another. To begin with the engines and performance figures, both vehicles run on base 2.L I-4s. Horsepower figures are almost identical, but the GLA wins out when it comes to torque giving it a bit of an edge when it comes to acceleration. On fuel economy the GLA also takes a good lead when compared to the Q3 with a full 6 mpg of extra efficiency in combined fuel economy. The GLA may be more fun to drive in the end, and more efficient. The GLA also has a manual option that the Q3 does not.

Both vehicles are a bit short on cargo space, but that is to be expected from vehicles of this size. The Audi Q3 may come at a slightly steeper price than the Mercedes-Benz GLA, but that is partly because the Audi Q3 comes with an impressive array of standard features, like HID headlamps, LED taillamps, heated power leather seats, and a panoramic sunroof. In comparison, the GLA makes customers pay for many options, which can add up awfully quickly.

When it comes to styling, both cars look great, it is just a matter of personal preference. The Audi has slightly more conservative looks, while the GLA has a few more curves. Again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder on this count.

What do you guys think of the Q3 compared to the GLA?

 

[rnlabas]

From others that have driven them, I'd be careful on presuming the GLA is more fun to drive - in fact quite the contrary seems to be more true. Also, while specs look great to compare, it IS the drive and touch and feel that counts the most - and in those regards, most folks here have already voted with their purchase.

For me it's NEVER been a comparison - I have yet to drive a Mercedes that gives me the feeling of driving more than merely riding behind a nice steering wheel. But hey, LOTS of folks like that ride. Bully for them and good for me too...

 

[Quatto]

Said it before and i'll say it again, when it comes to this segment it will always be Macan or GLA (but Macan usually tops the GLA) then Q3, still, the Q3 is a great vehicle.

 

[Otto]

Said it before and i'll say it again, when it comes to this segment it will always be Macan or GLA (but Macan usually tops the GLA) then Q3, still, the Q3 is a great vehicle.

Isn't the Macan quite a bit more expensive than the Q3 or the GLA though?

 

[rnlabas]

Isn't the Macan quite a bit more expensive than the Q3 or the GLA though?

...and on the SAME platform as the Q5 too, which starts out bigger and more expensive - not apples to apples for THIS segment.

 

[rnlabas]

Said it before and i'll say it again, when it comes to this segment it will always be Macan or GLA (but Macan usually tops the GLA) then Q3, still, the Q3 is a great vehicle.

Tomāto tomahto ...but I'll stick with my choice fine, thanks!

 

[AMILL]

Ooh the Macan...what a thing of beauty....I would never consciously be able to spend that much on a car as much as I LOVE cars....If the GLA was the ONLY new car around I'd drive anything else before I'd spend any money on that car... I was not impressed in the least bit with the car after I drove it... Piece of crap in my opinion....

 

[Tanqueray]

I was considering GLA 250... but I heard the cabin noise is disgustingly loud (even for a Mercedes) and it was no longer the same value car anymore after adding a few options that Q3 already had...

 

[Quatto]

Tomāto tomahto ...but I'll stick with my choice fine, thanks!

Same.

As much as I recognize the pros and cons of what this entire segment has to offer (which is important), the Q3 still wins me over

 

[AMILL]

And what did you all think about the hideous way they plunked the screen on the dash on the GLA? Did they really think people weren't going to notice it. I'm not crazy about the MMI screen on the Q3 but at least it's somewhat integrated into the dash, not an afterthought.

 

[Otto]

Yea the lack of standard features is what bothers me most about the GLA. It really defeats the value proposition that Mercedes is aiming at.

 

[Quatto]

I actually think they do it purposely to keep price low and their profit high with the only motivation to include more standard features being to keep them ahead in the game, why put in more than you have to?

 

[Otto]

It is a "luxury" vehicle and should come with more things standard than it does. Seeing a bare bones GLA I think would not be that impressive. They have to make sure that they keep up with a certain standard of quality.

 

[Arabay]

You know the X1 actually drives fantastic for this segement. IIRC it still has its roots in the old E46 chassis.

As for Q3 vs GLA:

Unlike its rivals at BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi does not penalize owners of its less expensive models with downmarket interiors. So even though the Q3 Quattro costs less than the GLA 250 4MATIC, the interior makes its owner feel like they paid more.

http://driving.ca/audi/q3/reviews/comparison/suv-comparison-2015-audi-q3-vs-mercedes-benz-gla-250

 

[Quatto]

Never knew the X1 had that history always though it would be sort of a sloppy thing to drive around, that there wouldn't be much to it.

 

[AMILL]

I drove an X1 when I was looking to replace my X3. I was not impressed. It was a bumpier ride than my X3 and the inside was very cheap looking. I was a bit disappointed because my X3's size was too big for my next car so I thought I'd look at the X1. A lot of the reviews felt the same way about the interior