Mercedes GLA vs rivals - specification comparison

    We compare the vital stats of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA with the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Volvo V40 on paper.

    Published On Sep 12, 2014 09:50:00 AM

    83,946 Views

    Mercedes-Benz is about to expand its product portfolio in India. The carmaker will launch the GLA-class on September 30th 2014. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will be available with a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Both engines will get a seven-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive only.

    The Mercedes-Benz GLA will be a late entrant to the entry luxury compact crossover segment where the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Volvo V40 Cross Country are already present. So, how does the new GLA look against its rivals? To find out, we have compared the specifications of all four entry luxury compact crossovers on paper.

    The heart of the matter

    The Mercedes-Benz GLA will be available in both petrol and diesel guise. The petrol-powered GLA 200 gets a 1991cc, four-cylinder turbocharged engine which is good for 181bhp and 30.59kg of torque. The diesel-powered GLA will get the same 2143cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that also does duty on the C-class and the E-class. But on the GLA 200 CDI, the engine will make 134bhp and 30.5kgm of torque.

    The Audi Q3 is available only with a diesel motor. The diesel Q3 is driven by a 1968cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged motor that is available in two states of tune. There’s a base trim which gets the 138bhp and 32.6kgm version that comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The middle and top trims get the 174bhp and 38.7kgm version which comes coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Also, the 138bhp version gets front-wheel drive while the 174bhp version gets Audi’s permanent all-wheel drive Quattro system as standard.

    Just like the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 too is available only with a diesel engine. It is powered by a 1995cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged motor which produces 181.03bhp and 38.7kgm. It is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel drive system as standard.

    Even the Volvo V40 Cross Country is available only with a diesel engine. It gets a 1984cc, five-cylinder, turbocharged diesel mill which generates 150bhp and 35.7kgm of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive system as standard.  

    Footprint fare

    The Mercedes-Benz GLA gets a wheelbase of 2699mm. In comparison, the Audi Q3 has a wheelbase of 2603mm (shorter by 96mm) while the Volvo V40 has a wheelbase of 2646mm (shorter by 53mm). In this bunch of compact luxury SUVs, the BMW X1 has the longest wheelbase at 2760mm (61mm more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA).

    The Mercedes-Benz GLA measures 4417mm in length, 1804mm in width and 1494mm in height. It is longer than the Audi Q3 and the Volvo V40 by 32mm and 47mm, respectively. Once again, the BMW X1 comes out on top as it's 37mm longer than the GLA.

    However with respect to width, the BMW X1 is the narrowest is this bunch. Although it is narrower than the GLA by a marginal 6mm, the GLA itself is 27mm and 53mm narrower than the Audi Q3 and the Volvo V40, respectively.

    In terms of height, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is taller than only the Volvo V40, by 21mm. The BMW X1 is taller than the GLA by 51mm while the Audi Q3 is a 114mm taller.

     

    How does it stack up?

    Currently, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the only one in this bunch that is available in petrol and diesel variants. In comparison, the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and the Volvo V40 are available only with diesel engines. So, for someone on the lookout for a petrol-powered entry luxury compact crosover, there’s only one option. 

    With respect to the diesel variants, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has the biggest engine but the least power output. Even the torque figures are lower than segment competition. But these figures on paper, are no indication to how the cars stack up in real-world situation. To know how the GLA truly behaves on the tarmac, look to our detailed drive report. 

    Mercedes-Benz GLA vs rivals - Diesel variants comparison
    EngineGLA 200 CDIAudi Q3 MTAudi Q3BMW X1Volvo V40
    Cubic Capacity2143cc1968cc1968cc1995cc1984cc
    Power134bhp138bhp174bhp181bhp150bhp
    Torque30.5kgm32.6kgm38.7kgm38.7kgm35.7kgm

    Mercedes-Benz GLA vs rivals - Dimensions Comparison
    DimensionsGLAQ3X1V40
    Wheelbase2699mm2603mm2760mm2646mm
    Length4417mm4385mm4454mm4370mm
    Width1804mm1831mm1798mm1857mm
    Height1494mm1608mm1545mm1473mm

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