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Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

2026 Audi Q3 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q3

2026 Audi Q3

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS1 – 4Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class wins 4 of 5 categories
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Special Purpose Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is more fuel-efficient: 29 vs 25 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $150 a year less in fuel for the Audi Q3 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q3 is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 19).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q3 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 178 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,942 lb.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is a special purpose vehicle offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 174 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,869 lb (Amg 35 4matic 4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2023 Q3 and the 2024 GLA-Class have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2022 Q3.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

25 MPG
Best combined MPG
29 MPG
22 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$2,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,850

Performance & space

255 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
178.3 in
Length
173.6 in
73.2 in
Width
72 in
63 in
Height
62.6 in
3,942 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,671 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
–
1
Recalls (2026)
0
19
Recalls, all years since 2005
0
6
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

9,670
Wikipedia views, 30 days
–

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2024
2022
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q3 if…

  • You want more room (5 in longer)

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (29 vs 25 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 19 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q3

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi Q3 specs →Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →