Compare the2024 Mercedes GLAVS 2024 Audi Q3

The GLA’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GLA’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLA and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 37 more horsepower (221 vs. 184) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLA is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	GLA	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.8 MPH	85.4 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the GLA gets better mileage than the Q3:

			MPG
GLA
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
Q3
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLA’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLA offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Q3 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The GLA stops shorter than the Q3:

	GLA	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLA offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLA’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLA’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Q3 (107.4 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLA is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The GLA 250 4MATIC handles at .80 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLA 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q3 (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GLA’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Mercedes GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The GLA is 3 inches shorter than the Q3, making the GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Mercedes GLA amounts to more than styling. The GLA has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q3 (.38 to .39) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLA get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the GLA uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The GLA has 1 inch more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

The GLA has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The GLA has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q3, the GLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLA’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLA offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLA has standard Keyless-Go that allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLA to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Q3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The GLA’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the GLA is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the GLA’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLA has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q3.

The GLA offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLA’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The GLA is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the GLA owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLA will cost $105 less than the Q3 over a five-year period.