Audi Q3 F3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA H247

Audi Q3

F3 · 2018 – 2025

The second-generation Q3 (F3), on the MQB A2 platform.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

H247 · 2020 – 2026

The second-generation GLA on the MFA2 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the F3 for the roomy, tech-rich Q3 with the Virtual Cockpit and the smooth 1.5 TFSI — ideally a full-history example.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Pick the GLA for a raised driving position, space and efficient engines in a compact premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLA 200 (petrol) or GLA 200 d / GLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs M282 GLA 200 · Petrol

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Power	150 hp	163 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	8,7 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	210 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	110,1 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km	140 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km Winner	5,9 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Boot	530 L Winner	435 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L Winner	1.430 L
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,73 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,41 m
Ground clearance	17,0 cm	14,3 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m	11,4 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg Winner	1.800 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse)	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 45 TFSI e PHEV	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (DSG)	7-speed 7G-DCT
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d-TEMP
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

Infotainment software bugs on early cars
DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG): mechatronics and clutch judder on early cars
DPF/AdBlue on diesels with mainly short trips

Mercedes-Benz GLA

M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)

Pros

Audi Q3

Roomy interior & big boot
Modern tech (Virtual Cockpit)
Modular EA engines

Mercedes-Benz GLA

435 L boot growing to ~1,430 L — roomy for a subcompact SUV
Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (GLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm, ~4.8 L/100 km)
MFA2 platform with MBUX and optional 4MATIC
GLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly

Cons

Audi Q3

Firm ride on S line
Some hard plastics

Mercedes-Benz GLA

OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
Dual-clutch gearbox needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
Early M282 (1.3): elevated oil consumption reported

Driving experience

Audi Q3

Comfortable, quiet and easy to place. The Q3 rides well over poor surfaces, stays settled at motorway speed, and steers accurately with light, consistent weighting. 2.0-litre cars use quattro, which adds strong traction in wet conditions and inspires confidence. The 1.5 TFSI is adequate but nothing more; the 45 TFSI is genuinely quick; the 2.0 TDI is the best all-rounder — torquey, economical and smooth at a cruise. The S tronic is sharp around town. Body control is good for a high-riding SUV, though the Q3 is set up for comfort rather than driver involvement.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Comfortable, easy and closer to a hatchback than an SUV to drive. The GLA rides smoothly, stays quiet at speed, and steers lightly and precisely with little feedback. The 2.0-litre M260 petrol is smooth and pulls strongly from low revs; the OM654 diesel is the one for high mileage, nearly inaudible on the motorway; the 250 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The dual-clutch gearbox is quick once moving, though it can hesitate from a standstill. There is little here for keen drivers — the GLA puts comfort, quietness and the tech-heavy cabin ahead of any sporting pretension.