Compare the2024 Mercedes GLAVS 2024 BMW X1

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLA have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GLA’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X1 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GLA and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 10 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLA third among small premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The X1 isn’t in the top three.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLA is faster than the X1 xDrive28i:

On the EPA test cycle the GLA gets better mileage than the X1:

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes GLA, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

The GLA stops shorter than the X1:

For better traction, the GLA has larger tires than the X1 (235/55R18 vs. 225/55R18).

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 X1 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 X1 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLA’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the X1 (107.4 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better maneuverability, the GLA’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the X1’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Mercedes GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the BMW X1.

The GLA is 3.6 inches shorter than the X1 xDrive28i, making the GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLA has .6 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the X1.

The GLA has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X1, 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 X1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLA’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The X1’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The GLA’s standard Keyless-Go allow 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. Comfort Go standard on the X1 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 X1 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The X1’s 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.

The GLA’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 X1.

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 X1 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLA is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X1 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 $275 to $515 less than the X1 over a five-year period.

The GLA will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLA will retain 53.93% to 54% of its original price after five years, while the X1 only retains 53.35%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLA will be $58 to $2322 less than for the BMW X1.