Verdict
At RM269,900, the Audi Q3 costs RM11,012 more than the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA. The Mercedes is the sharper value case on paper: 161 hp, 8.7-second 0-100 km/h and 5.6 L/100 km beat the Audi’s 147 hp, 8.9 seconds and 7.2 L/100 km. It also brings autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and a 360-degree camera. But the Q3 gives a materially bigger 530-litre boot and 60-litre tank, plus a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty against four years for the GLA.
Pick the Audi Q3 if a 530-litre boot, 60-litre fuel tank and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than outright performance and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want 161 hp, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy, autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and a 360-degree camera for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q3 RM269,900; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Performance: Audi Q3 147 hp and 8.9 sec 0-100 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp and 8.7 sec.
- Rated economy: Audi Q3 7.2 L/100 km; Mercedes-Benz GLA 5.6 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Audi Q3 530 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres.
- Fuel tank: Audi Q3 60 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 43 litres.
- Warranty: Audi Q3 five years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz GLA four years unlimited mileage.
Q3
- 530-litre boot, 95 litres larger than the GLA
- 60-litre fuel tank versus 43 litres
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- RM11,012 pricier
- 7.2 L/100 km rated economy versus 5.6 L/100 km
- No autonomous braking or collision warning, unlike the GLA
GLA
- 161 hp and 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and 360-degree camera
- Five USB-C ports and front-seat memory function
- 435-litre boot is 95 litres smaller
- 43-litre fuel tank is 17 litres smaller
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,900 | RM258,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100 | RM100 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,395 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 161 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed S-tronic | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,484 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,849 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,545 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 530 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi virtual cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q3 & GLA for sale
Q3 vs GLA FAQ
Is the Audi Q3 or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the stronger pick for lower purchase cost, 161 hp, 5.6 L/100 km economy and active safety. Choose the Audi Q3 for its 530-litre boot, 60-litre tank and longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q3 costs RM11,012 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Which has more luggage space, the Audi Q3 or Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The Audi Q3 has the larger boot at 530 litres, compared with 435 litres in the Mercedes-Benz GLA. That is a 95-litre advantage for the Audi.