Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

Audi Q3

Audi’s compact premium SUV.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes' compact SUV on the MFA2 platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for quattro, the 530-litre boot and the 1.5 TFSI’s cylinder-on-demand.

Best engine: The mid-range 1.5 TFSI petrol for the best everyday balance — or the 2.0 TDI for high mileage.

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
Width	1,86 m	1,83 m
Height	1,62 m	1,61 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Mercedes-Benz GLA
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177, B-Class W247 and CLA C118)
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 evo 2.0 TDI	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG): mechatronics are the best-known weak point
Direct-injection petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips
DPF 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

quattro available on the 2.0-litre engines
530-litre boot (1525 litres folded)
1.5 TFSI (35) has cylinder-on-demand

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

S line suspension rides firmly
quattro is 2.0-litre engines only — entry models are front-wheel drive

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

As a model line, the Q3 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 1.5 TFSI is the one to have, the 2.0 TDI is the high-mileage pick and the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.