BMW X2 vs Audi Q3 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which one is the best value for money?
Premium crossovers are big business in the current automotive world and if history has taught us anything, it is that once car makers spot a trend, we can expect every possible niche within that trend to be filled with new products. This is the reason why the BMW X2, Audi Q3 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz GLA exist, to fill a perceived gap in the market, appealing to those who want the lofty driving position afforded by SUVs, but are after something with added kerbside appeal.
Premium crossovers are big business in the current automotive world and if history has taught us anything, it is that once car makers spot a trend, we can expect every possible niche within that trend to be filled with new products. This is the reason why the BMW X2, Audi Q3 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz GLA exist, to fill a perceived gap in the market, appealing to those who want the lofty driving position afforded by SUVs, but are after something with added kerbside appeal.
Today we are comparing this trio to see which model offers the best value for money. For the purposes of this comparison, we will be comparing the AMG Line, S line and M Sport specifications, all with the smallest turbocharged petrol engine offered in each respective range.
Related: BMW X2 vs Volvo XC40 vs Mini Cooper Countryman: Which one has the lowest running costs?
The competitors
|
|
BMW X2 sDrive18i M Sport |
Audi Q3 Sportback 35TFSI S line |
Mercedes-Benz GLA200 AMG Line |
|
Engine size |
3-cyl, 1.5-litre petrol |
4-cyl, 1.5-litre petrol |
4-cyl, 1.3-litre petrol |
|
Power/Torque |
103 kW/220 Nm |
110 kW/250 Nm |
120 kW/250 Nm |
|
Kerb Weight |
1 490 kg |
1 530 kg |
1 491 kg |
|
0-100km/h |
9.6 sec |
9.3 sec |
8.7 sec |
|
Airbag count |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Load Volume |
470-litres |
410-litres |
495-litres |
|
Price |
R 677 924 |
R 693 000 |
R692 215 |
|
Claimed consumption |
6.3 L/100 km |
7.3 L/100 km |
6.0 L/100 km |
|
Maintenance plan |
5 yr/100 000 km |
5 yr/ 100 000km |
5 yr/100 000 km |
|
Price |
R 677 924 |
R 693 000 |
R 692 215 |
Comparing the trio
Practicality
When it comes to premium compact crossovers, practicality is an important consideration as these will likely be used for a variety of lifestyle-based activities. When it comes to boot volume, the newest car in the comparison, the Mercedes, appears to have the edge, offering a whopping 85-litres more than the Audi and just 15-litres more than the BMW.
All three contenders offer seating for five and are available with optional tow bars. All three offer ISOFIX child seat anchor points on the outer side of its rear seats, however, the Audi offers and additional mounting point on its front passenger seat. The Audi may have lost some of its rear occupant practicality thanks to its sloping roofline while the BMW and Mercedes have a more traditional roofline.
Power and performance
All three of the models used for this comparison feature the smallest capacity turbocharged petrol engines available in their respective ranges. The BMW features the lowest cylinder count, at three, but is the largest capacity of the trio, displacing 1.5-litres. Both the Mercedes-Benz and the Audi feature four-cylinder turbocharged engines. The 1.4-litre unit in the Audi has been around for many years while the 1.3-litre unit, co-developed with Renault, is a thoroughly modern motor.
The X2 has the slowest claimed 0-100km/h time and the lowest power output and weighs the same as the GLA, which is the most powerful and indeed, the quickest car of the trio, on paper at least. The Audi its almost perfectly in the middle in terms of power and performance. In terms of fuel consumption, the GLA is again, superior on paper, beating the X2 by just 0.3L/100km and the Q3 by 1.3L/100km.
Specification
Being premium German products, there is a respectable amount of standard kit in all three cars, however, there are also optional extras that can inflate each vehicle’s respective price tag rather quickly. Both the GLA and the Q3 come with climate control as standard while in the X2 it’s an optional extra. The BMW and Mercedes-Benz come with 19-inch alloy wheels while the Audi must make do with 18-inch items.
All three models feature a multi-function steering wheel to control media functions and cruise control, which is also standard on the trio. Our three competitors are also fitted with up-to-date infotainment systems, however, from previous experience, only the Mercedes and Audi offer both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality while the BMW only offers the former, but does fight back by offering navigation as standard.
The GLA offers keyless start as standard too, while the X2 and Q3 feature regular turn-style keys. The Mercedes-Benz and Audi both offer partial artificial leather seats while the BMW comes with partial cloth and suede-cloth seats as standard. Both the BMW and Audi offer LED headlights as standard too, while these are an option on the Mercedes-Benz. The Q3 also benefits from ambient interior lighting, LED taillights and rear Park Distance Control as part of its standard specification
Safety
Both the BMW and the Audi scored the maximum 5-Stars in their respective EuroNCAP crash safety tests. The GLA is yet to be tested, however, it shares many components with the A-Class hatchback, including its safety systems, so it is fair to assume that it will achieve a similar 5-Star result.
The Audi narrowly edges the X2, scoring with 95% for adult occupant safety versus the BMW’s 90%, 86% for child occupant safety and 87% for the BMW, 76% for pedestrian safety versus the BMW’s 74%. The Audi also scored 85% for its safety assist systems while the BMW scored 77%.
Warranty & maintenance plan
All three of these contenders are sold with 5-year-/100 000km maintenance plans as standard.
Verdict
These three products are incredibly close in terms of what they offer as premium crossover packages. There can only be one winner though and it would appear that as a package, the Mercedes-Benz GLA offers more space, efficiency and performance for your hard-earned Rands.
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