Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which should you buy?
The full picture
The Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA cost much the same to get into, at ₹51.99L and ₹51.80L ex-showroom.
They run together up to ₹55.00L, where the GLA tops out. Past that only the Q3 has anything left to sell you, up to ₹55.99L.
Fuel is a real difference here: the Q3 comes in petrol, the GLA in petrol and diesel.
Same money, which car?
Take ₹55.00L to both showrooms and you come out with the Q3 Nova at ₹51.99L or the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line at ₹55.00L, the Q3 leaving ₹3.01L of that in your pocket.
Our take
₹3.01L more buys 360° camera and blind spot monitor
- Choose the Audi Q3 Nova if
- You would rather keep the ₹3.01L than pay for features you will not missOnly one here with9 airbags12.8" touchscreenwireless CarPlay / Android Auto
- Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line if
- Safety features matter more to you than keeping the moneyOnly one here with360° camerablind spot monitorbi-LED projector headlamps
Q3 vs GLA, on paper
| Spec | Audi Q3 | Mercedes-Benz GLA |
|---|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹51.99L to ₹55.99L | ₹51.80L to ₹55.00L |
| Variants | 2 | 3 |
| Body type | Compact Luxury SUV | Compact Luxury SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Fuels | Petrol | Petrol, Diesel |
| Boot | 488 litres | 425 litres |
| Length | 4,531 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 1,859 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,682 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Fuel tank | - | 43 litres |
| Turning radius | - | 5.7 m |
The working behind our take
₹3.01L more buys 360° camera and blind spot monitor. Here is everything that fed that call.
- Extra featuresGLA 220d 4MATIC AMG LineSOS callrain-sensing wipers60:40 split rear seat
- Trade-offGLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Lineairbags (9 against 7)touchscreen (12.8" against 10.25")wireless CarPlay / Android Auto
The full story
Worth the extra ₹3.01L: the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line adds 360° camera, blind spot monitor and headlamps (Bi-LED projector against LED projector) for it. The useful extras on top: connected car tech and terrain modes.
- Also on the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line: SOS call, rain-sensing wipers and 60:40 split rear seat, and some minor trim beyond that
- Going to the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line, you give up airbags (9 against 7), touchscreen (12.8" against 10.25") and wireless CarPlay / Android Auto, which the Q3 Nova keeps
Whichever you pick, the variant is where the money goes
Q3 vs GLA: the questions people ask
- Is the Audi Q3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA cheaper?
- Neither, to speak of. The Q3 starts at ₹51.99L and the GLA at ₹51.80L ex-showroom, which is close enough that the variant you pick matters more than the badge.
- Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which gives you more for the same money?
- At ₹55.00L it is the Q3 Nova against the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line. Worth the extra ₹3.01L: the GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line adds 360° camera, blind spot monitor and headlamps (Bi-LED projector against LED projector) for it. The useful extras on top: connected car tech and terrain modes.
- Which is more practical, the Audi Q3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA?
- On the figures the makers publish, the Q3 swallows 488 litres of luggage against 425. Everything else about living with them, from boot shape to how the back seat actually feels, is a test drive question rather than a spec sheet one.
Prices are ex-showroom and change without notice. Specifications are compiled from public sources; always confirm with a dealer before buying.