Audi Q3 vs Mercedes GLA Comparison
Audi Bozeman
Searching for a luxury SUV under $50,000? You’ll find plenty of options to choose from, but you’ll likely keep seeing SUVs from Audi and Mercedes pitted against each other. Both German automakers have their own entry points to SUV ownership. For the Audi, that’s the sub-compact Audi Q3. For Mercedes, it's the GLA. Both SUVs are a little smaller than their compact counterparts but offer a bit more affordability compared to the price points these brands are known for. They're best suited for daily commuting in comfort and style, yet still deliver a satisfying kick of horsepower when accelerating up to highway speeds. So, which SUV should you choose? In the sections below, we’ll compare the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA SUVs to each other, so you know which makes more sense for you. We’ll preview categories such as cargo space, engine types, fuel economy, and more. Before we get started, it’s only fair to mention that we’re an Audi dealership, so we have a bias to disclose. Of course, we’re partial to our own SUV, but that said, we’ll do our best to ensure both models get a fair look. If you’d like to learn more about luxury SUVs for sale in Bozeman, visit Audi Bozeman today!
Audi Q3 vs Mercedes GLA Powertrains and Fuel Economy
Let’s start with what’s under the hood for the Mercedes SUV. Every GLA comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 221 horsepower. It pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and is available with FWD or AWD. It is supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid platform. If you’re driving in Montana, we’re going to assume you choose the AWD GLA, which gets 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the open road. It runs from 0 to 60 in about 6.3 seconds. While Mercedes does offer a supped-up version of the GLA in the AMG, we’re going to contain this breakdown to the entry-level models for each OEM.
The Audi Q3 benefits from a tweaked powertrain in 2026. Like the Mercedes, it gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but the Audi gets 255 horsepower, helping it run from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds. It sends power through a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission and directs it to Audi’s quattro AWD system. The extra power reduces your fuel economy rating in comparison to the Mercedes, as the Q3 is expected to get about 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the open road. With standard AWD and 34 more horsepower, we think it’s fair to chalk this round up in favor of the Audi Q3, unless you’re accounting for the extra fuel economy of the Mercedes SUV.
Mercedes GLA and Audi Q3 Cabin and Features
Both of these vehicles are luxury SUVs, so you’ll find they share several base features, including heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and interior ambient LED lighting. The GLA notably lacks standard leather seats, opting for its MB-Tex seats instead. This aligns with Car and Driver’s criticism of the GLA, which noted it was light on standard features. Of course, you can add a range of features to either SUV, but whether you’re talking about leather seats or advanced parking assistance, the Audi Q3 generally offers more standard features than the Mercedes GLA. When comparing cabin spacing, the GLA offers 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear row and up to 50.5 cubic feet of total cargo volume. The new Q3 delivers 25 cubic feet behind the rear row, for a total of up to 50 cubic feet. Let’s see how the pricing between the two SUVs stacks up.
Comparing Audi and Mercedes Pricing
Both SUVs are offered in a single trim level, with the caveat that the Mercedes comes in FWD or AWD. For our purposes, we’ll stick to the AWD model, as that’s what most people need for navigating Montana winters.
If you prefer the FWD Mercedes, you can usually find it for about $2,000 cheaper than you’d find the AWD variant. Of course, both models are available with a range of packages that add features such as a head-up display, additional driver assistance, and blacked-out trim details. Overall, we’d consider the price difference between the two SUVs a wash, with the extra features and starting MSRPs roughly even.
Final Comparisons
Both of these luxury SUVs are built for the same market segment: commuters who need the flexibility an SUV offers, with the luxury touch these German brands are known for. We think the Audi Q3 stands above the Mercedes GLA, and we’re not alone. Review sites like Car and Driver and Edmunds both agree with us, though they're still closely rated. If you’d like to see why the new Audi Q3 takes the crown, visit our Montana Audi dealership in Bozeman today.