I've heard that the Q3 offers quite a bit more standard. The heated seats and panoramic sun roof stand out to me. I think that the mpg rating of the GLA will help to combat this, but it was a smart move on Audi's part. The GLA seems cheap but once you add stuff on is more expensive. Audi's response is with the Q3 it is cheap and it stays cheap because it comes standard with many of the features people love.
Mini Mash Up: Mercedes GLA vs BMW X1 vs Audi Q3
Mini Mashup indeed, the smallest CUV's ever produced by the Teutonic Trio and they're all competing for your paycheck. How do you choose? Lets start with standard equipment...
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GLA Standard Equipment:
Q3 Standard Equipment:
• 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine with six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
• Panoramic sunroof with power retractable sunshade
• Audi xenon plus front lighting with LED DRLs and taillights
• Heated, 12-way power front seats
• Leather seating surfaces
• Audi advanced key
• Standard 18-inch wheel
Its clear the GLA suffers slightly in this department. There are several discussions about this currently going on but it bears revision. Q3 and X1 to a degree enjoy a strategic advantage over the GLA currently. The Q3 uses the PQ35 platform, a derivative of their modular MQB platform. The advantage there is the platform is used throughout the Audi and VW lineup meaning its already been paid back in spades. The X1 enjoys a similar advantage, it shares its platform with the X3 which is a derivative of the e90 3 series platform which has also been used in the 1 series. The GLA however is riding on a new MFA platform jointly developed with Infiniti that underpins A class and CLA. I'm not sure when payback could/would be but for the time being standard equipment will suffer.
However where thre GLA does outshine its rivals is in the fuel efficiency metric. The Mercedes boasts a number as high as 37 mpg (30 US mpg), while the X1 makes it at 34 (28 US) and the Q3 trailing the pack at 27 mpg (22 US) . That is going to be a major factor come decision time, especially for the typically frugal RAV4/CRV crowd that Mercedes is hoping to attract with the GLA.
We could dive into horsepower numbers, acceleration and handling dynamics but i think that's rather superfluous. None of these diminutive compacts were made to be performance machines and most will be operated at low speeds in the starbucks parking lot. If you want to start chucking performance numbers in, by all means feel free
GLA Standard Equipment:
- Power Liftgate
- 18 inch wheels
- Chrome roof rails
- 5.8" color display
- Bluetooth
- M270 2.0T 4 cylinder engine
- 7 speed DCT gearbox
- Electric park brake
- Collision Prevention Assist
- Attention Assist
- Power Liftgate Lock/Unlock Via Multi-Function Remote and Interior Switch
- DSC-X Vehicle Stability Control System
- Traction Control Controlled by Engine Management
- Hill Start Control
- Brake Assistance
- Turbocharged 2.0-Liter I4 with STEPTRONIC Manually Interactive Automatic Transmission
- Bluetooth
- MP3/iPod integration
- Dual zone climate control
- 8 way Adjustable, Leatherette Seats
- Trailer Stability Asisst
- Heated Washer System
- Rain Sensing Vehicle Speed Sensitive Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
- 17 inch Alloys
Q3 Standard Equipment:
• 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine with six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
• Panoramic sunroof with power retractable sunshade
• Audi xenon plus front lighting with LED DRLs and taillights
• Heated, 12-way power front seats
• Leather seating surfaces
• Audi advanced key
• Standard 18-inch wheel
Its clear the GLA suffers slightly in this department. There are several discussions about this currently going on but it bears revision. Q3 and X1 to a degree enjoy a strategic advantage over the GLA currently. The Q3 uses the PQ35 platform, a derivative of their modular MQB platform. The advantage there is the platform is used throughout the Audi and VW lineup meaning its already been paid back in spades. The X1 enjoys a similar advantage, it shares its platform with the X3 which is a derivative of the e90 3 series platform which has also been used in the 1 series. The GLA however is riding on a new MFA platform jointly developed with Infiniti that underpins A class and CLA. I'm not sure when payback could/would be but for the time being standard equipment will suffer.
However where thre GLA does outshine its rivals is in the fuel efficiency metric. The Mercedes boasts a number as high as 37 mpg (30 US mpg), while the X1 makes it at 34 (28 US) and the Q3 trailing the pack at 27 mpg (22 US) . That is going to be a major factor come decision time, especially for the typically frugal RAV4/CRV crowd that Mercedes is hoping to attract with the GLA.
We could dive into horsepower numbers, acceleration and handling dynamics but i think that's rather superfluous. None of these diminutive compacts were made to be performance machines and most will be operated at low speeds in the starbucks parking lot. If you want to start chucking performance numbers in, by all means feel free
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here's a better look at the regular lower trim Q3 for a better comparison:
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