2018 Audi Q3 vs. 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA: Head to Head

Q3 vs. GLA: Which Small Luxury SUV Is Right for You?

Small crossovers and SUVs are among the hottest-selling cars on the market. Subcompact luxury crossovers are the more upscale corner of that trend, and the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA are two vehicles that are routinely cross-shopped.

Though they compete in the same segment, the GLA and Q3 take different approaches to the small SUV formula. The GLA is a high-riding wagon, while the Q3 features a more traditional SUV layout, just scaled down.

But which is the better car? Depending on your needs, one car may be better suited for you, but in the end, one vehicle has a higher overall score in U.S. News & World Report rankings. Will the better overall car be the right fit for you? Read on to learn more about these two popular upscale crossovers.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Price

Winner: Tie

Both vehicles are very close on price, with just about a $500 difference in favor of the Q3. The Audi Q3 has a base MSRP of $32,900, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA starts at $33,400. But the Q3 has a shorter list of standard features, evening the odds.

Moving higher in the lineup, if you count out the AMG GLA45 model, the pricing of the Q3 and GLA remain neck-and-neck, sitting around $35,000 for well-equipped models. Pricing on these two is a tossup.

• Read the 2018 Audi Q3 Full Review
• See 2018 Audi Q3 Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Reliability

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

As they are both new 2018 models, there is no reliability data for either vehicle at this time. Nor have there been any safety recalls at this time. However, the 2017 and 2018 models are mechanically similar, and the 2017 GLA bests the 2017 Q3 with a reliability rating of four out of five, versus three out of five for the Q3.

Both vehicles are backed by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Seat Comfort

Winner: 2018 Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 comes standard with leather seating for five, including available 12-way power-adjustable front seats. They are comfortable for long drives and supportive around corners. You can also get optional heated seats and sport front seats.

The GLA offers leatherette, rather than leather, as the standard upholstery. You can get leather seating, sport seats, heated front seats, and a 14-way power front driver’s seat. However, the GLA has limited rear legroom, which might make it an uncomfortable place for adults on a long trip.

• Read the 2018 Audi Q3 Full Review
• See 2018 Audi Q3 Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Cargo Space

Winner: 2018 Audi Q3

You won’t be using either vehicle to take a large family on a road trip, but both will be good for getting around town, and to soccer practices and golf outings. The Q3 has the edge, with 48.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, compared to the GLA’s 43.6 cubic feet.

Interestingly, with the rear seats up, the GLA has the edge, with 17.2 cubic feet compared to the Q3’s 16.7. Both models offer a power liftgate with proximity key activation. 

• Read the 2018 Audi Q3 Full Review
• See 2018 Audi Q3 Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Interior Quality

Winner: Tie

If you are entering one of these vehicles from a volume brand, you’ll appreciate the high build quality and fit-and-finish. But in the context of their own brand’s lineup, they do not offer the level of quality that would meet more discerning expectations.

The downside with both vehicles is they feature more plastic surfaces than other vehicles in the Audi or Mercedes-Benz lineup. This is typical of any subcompact vehicle, like the Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz CLA.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Interior Features

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The GLA comes standard with an 8-inch display, a backup camera, HD Radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth. The COMAND infotainment system has a learning curve for users but is intuitive once you have all your presets locked in.

The Q3 does not come standard with Audi’s standout MMI infotainment system. The system that comes optional on the Premium Plus (and standard on the Prestige) is not up to the same standard of user experience as the MMI in the larger Audi Q5. The Q3 does come standard with a rearview camera, a 10-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a USB port. 

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Acceleration

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The GLA250’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It takes a moment for the turbo to spool up, but once it does, acceleration is strong. The available AMG GLA45 provides even more brisk acceleration.

Meanwhile, the Q3’s 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine always feels sluggish, especially on the highway. Generally, the power in the Q3 is underwhelming at best, and the engine feels dated.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Fuel Economy

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The GLA250, without 4Matic all-wheel drive, has EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. That bests the Q3’s across-the-board fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

If you opt for the 4Matic model, fuel economy falls to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway – still better than the Q3. Even the GLA45 AMG is better than the Q3, with fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Ride Quality and Handling

Winner: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

The GLA is nimble around corners, exhibiting more car-like handling characteristics. Like a car, it can be harsher over bumps than a true SUV.

The Q3 has good brakes and steering feel but lacks the spirited cornering abilities of the GLA. The GLA also raises the performance bar with the AMG model, which is more like a hot-hatchback than a crossover.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Safety

Winner: Inconclusive

Neither vehicle has been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yet, so we can’t call a winner here.

Both vehicles come with a backup camera, but the Q3 lacks the frontal crash prevention technology that comes standard on the GLA.

The GLA comes equipped with Active Brake Assist that will alert the driver if there is an oncoming object and will pre-charge the brakes. If no action is taken, the system will automatically brake at speeds up to 65 mph. This comes standard on the GLA, while the Q3 doesn’t even offer it as optional equipment.

• Read the 2018 Audi Q3 Full Review
• See 2018 Audi Q3 Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

The Winner Is …

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA

Scaling down the best attributes of a luxury SUV isn’t always easy. The GLA provides sporty handling, powerful infotainment, and the incredibly fun AMG variant. It also offers standard safety features that aren’t even offered on the Q3, and you’ll only pay a few hundred more for it.

The Q3 still has a lot going for it, including comfortable ride quality and an upscale cabin. But the Q3’s downside is exposed when you try to accelerate. It feels underpowered, especially on the highway. Match that with the short standard safety features list and it’s easy to see why the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA wins out among these two popular subcompact SUVs.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

To learn more about the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, check out their reviews. Then, see how they stack up to the competition by exploring our subcompact SUV rankings. And when it comes time to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase.