Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA45

What's the difference?

The Audi Q3 Sportback S line 40 TFSI quattro is a quiet achiever.

Not as flashy or performance driven as some of its rivals, it still manages to tick almost every box when it comes to comfort and features. Like most models in the class, space in the back seat is modest but for a top-spec non-performance model, the price is alright and it’s lovely to drive.

A performance SUV should be an oxymoron and is no doubt a niche product. Is it a high-riding hot hatch? Or a mega-potent small SUV?

Turns out the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a bit of both and delivers the thrills of a performance car without any of the packaging or comfort-related issues.

While it is getting a little expensive at over $100,000, its blend of space and pace is hard to beat.

The Q3 Sportback blends the practicality of an SUV with a sports-car presence due to its wide 2022mm stance and coupe-styled rear. With the black accents across the body, big 20-inch alloys and sharp Matrix LED headlights, the Q3 Sportback more than holds its own against the sporty prowess of its rivals.

The cabin establishes that it sits within the premium market with its leather mix upholstery and flashy-looking tech that headlines an angular dashboard. However, it's understated compared to its rivals, which all boast a stronger cabin presence.

Overall, it's not a ‘look at me car’ but the longer you look, the better it gets.

The most obvious tell that the GLA 45 S is something a little special is the Panamericana front grille, an ode to the 1952 Mercedes 300 SL, which is found on all of the German brand's hot models.

But if that wasn’t enough to give it away, the reworked bumper with larger intakes, red-painted brake calipers, lower ride height, black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels should help.

Coming round to the rear, if the AMG and GLA 45 S badges aren’t enough to give away this car’s sporting intent, the quad-exhaust tips and diffuser are sure to give any tailgaters pause.

Our car also came with the optional 'Aerodynamics Package', which adds front fender flicks and a massive roof-mounted rear wing for an even racier look.

If you think the GLA 45 S looks a bit like a jacked up hot hatch, you aren’t far off. Overall, we reckon Mercedes has done a great job at translating the aggressiveness of its A 45 hatch to the larger, higher-riding GLA.

Without the aero package optioned, you might even call it a bit of a sleeper, and it’s certainly more subdued in styling compared to its Audi RS Q3 rival.

In fact, the GLA 45 S might be too subtle for such a hot SUV, at least for our tastes.

Whereas the A 45 S and CLA 45 S get bulky fenders and a hunkered-down, aggressive stance, the GLA 45 S could just blend into the sea of SUVs seen out on the streets, especially without the aerodynamics package added.

Your mileage will vary though, and for some, the subtler looks will be a positive.

Anyone who has sat in a recent small Mercedes should feel right at home in the GLA 45 S, and that’s because it shares much of its interior design with the A-Class, CLA and GLB.

As mentioned before, the 10.25-inch centre screen takes care of multimedia duties, but there are also clicky and tactile buttons underneath for climate controls.

Key to the interior design though is an all-digital instrument display, which is laid out on the high-definition 10.25-inch screen.

With two screens facing you, you might think it’s a bit of information overload, but you can tweak each display to show the information you want.

The digital instrumentation might not be as intuitive as Audi’s 'Virtual Cockpit', but the layout and design of the interior is easy to use and offers owners plenty of customisation to get it right.

The Q3 Sportback offers plenty of head- and legroom up front, with access that is accommodating because of the wider door apertures.

Like its rivals, the back seat offers modest space for my 168cm height, but it might be a squeeze if you taller. The middle seat suffers the most with legroom due to the tall transmission tunnel – keep this seat for kids only.

However, all other seats offer well-rounded comfort with decent-padding, side bolsters and the front get extendable under-thigh and lumbar supports, as well as heat functions.

The rear row also gets directional air vents, reading lights, two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket. Longer trips will be comfortable for four occupants but five will elicit some grumbles.

Storage is good for the class with a glovebox that can fit a manual, a medium-sized middle console and a large phone tray. There are four cupholders and four drink-bottle holders throughout the car, and the rear row also get two map pockets.

The boot offers class leading space with its 530L capacity and only the BMW X2 beats it (by 30L). Storage options open up again with the 40/20/40 split of the rear row. The top model gets a powered tailgate with gesture control and temporary spare tyre.

Technology looks high-end and the touchscreen multimedia system is easy enough to use once you get your head around the menus. The built-in satellite navigation is top notch and the directions are pulled through to the digital instrument cluster.

The Q3 now gets wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The CarPlay maintained a steady connection this week. Charging options are great with a total of four USB--C ports, two 12-volt sockets and a wireless charging pad to choose from.

The new-generation GLA 45 S has grown in all dimensions compared with its predecessor, making it much roomier and more practical than before.

For reference, it measures 4438mm long, 1849mm wide, 1581mm tall and features a 2729mm wheelbase, but still sports a roomy cabin for four adults, especially in the front seats.

Storage options include decent door pockets that will accommodate large bottles, a deep centre storage bin, smartphone cradle that doubles as a wireless charger, and two cupholders.

Being a small SUV, the rear seats also afford plenty of room for occupants, with more than enough space for head, shoulders and legs – even with the front seat adjusted to my 183 cm (6'0") frame.

There are decent door pockets, air vents, and USB-C ports that should keep passengers happy on long trips, but the GLA 45 S doesn’t have a fold-down armrest or cupholders for the rear seats.

The boot, however, is where the GLA 45 S really starts to make a case for itself compared to the A 45 S.

The boot boasts 435 litres of volume, and can expand to a massive 1430L with the rear seats folded – making it about 15 per cent bigger than the A 45 S – while the higher load height should make loading and unloading groceries a bit easier. 

A downside of the GLA’s tech-focused interior, though, is that all the USB ports are now USB Type-C, meaning you’ll likely have to carry around an adapter to use your old cables.

Mercedes is generous enough to include one with the car, but given most device chargers are still USB Type-A, it is something to be aware of. 

Priced at $107,035, before on-road costs, the GLA 45 S not only sits atop the Mercedes-Benz GLA range, but is also the priciest small SUV available in Australia.

For context, the second-most expensive GLA – the GLA 35 – costs $82,935, while the previous-generation GLA 45 was priced at $91,735 – meaning a $15,300 leap for the new-gen version.

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S also easily blows away its Audi RS Q3 in the pricing department, but also for performance (more on that below).

For the price you are paying, you’d expect a long equipment list, and Mercedes doesn’t disappoint in this regard.

Highlights include an automatic tailgate, keyless entry, push-button start, wireless smartphone charger, illuminated door sills, electronically adjustable front seats with heating, LED headlights, and a panoramic glass sunroof. But at this price you are also paying for a kickass engine and prodigious performance.

As with many of Mercedes’ new models, the GLA 45 S makes use of the 'Mercedes-Benz User Experience' multimedia system, which is outputted across a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

Functions on this system include satellite navigation, digital radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Users have many input options, too, from a central touchpad with haptic feedback, the touchscreen, capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel, or with voice commands.

Being an AMG, the GLA 45 S also picks up a unique steering wheel with yellow contrast stitching, leather interior, snazzy sports seats, as well as unique instrumentation readouts such as engine oil temperature.

Our test car also came fitted with the optional 'Innovation Package', bundling a head-up display and an excellent augmented reality overlay that shows streets in real time on the multimedia screen.

Our test vehicle keeps it's tried and tested 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which produces 132kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Those outputs are slightly less than most of its nearest rivals and it sports a slower sprint time of 7.8 seconds.

The Q3 Sportback is a quattro, which means it has an all-wheel drive and it boasts a silky-smooth seven-speed auto transmission.

While it doesn't induce strong sports-car vibes on road, it’s not a car you'd ever have the audacity to call slow.

Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, outputting a staggering 310kW/500Nm.

This means the new car jumps up 30kW/25Nm compared to its predecessor, explaining (at least in part) the price jump.

The GLA 45 S is also the top-spec version globally. The 285kW/480Nm GLA 45 which is available overseas would be more directly comparable to the old car.

The engine is also the most potent production 2.0-litre on earth, and is shared with the A 45 S and CLA 45 S.

Paired to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to all four wheels via Mercedes’ '4Matic' system.

As a result, the GLA 45 S will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a frighteningly quick 4.3 seconds, and carry on to an electronically limited top speed of 265km/h.

This is 0.4s slower than its A 45 S sibling, in part due to its heftier 1807kg weight.

The official combined fuel cycle figure is 8.2L/100km, but the real-world usage is at 8.6L after doing a mix of open-road and urban driving. Considering the lack of restraint shown for really giving this model a real 'go' on the open-road, the fuel usage is respectable.

Based on the official combined fuel cycle and 60L fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of up to 732km, which is good for any longer road trips you might want to tackle.

Official fuel consumption figures for the GLA 45 S are pegged at 9.6 litres per 100km thanks in part to an engine start/stop system.

We managed 11.2L/100km after a few days of testing around Melbourne’s inner city and winding country back roads, but those with lighter feet will no doubt come closer to the official figures.

A performance SUV that can ferry kids and groceries, out accelerate  nearly everything else on the road, and sip around 10L/100km? That’s a win in our book.

The power delivery for the Q3 Sportback S line model is effortless. It doesn’t have the thrum or burbling of a turbo, but the power is well and truly there whenever you need it. So, while not as ‘powerful’ as some of its rivals, you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

The low and wide stance of the Q3 Sportback translates to nimble and direct handling – you can take corners at speed with almost no roll and the steering sits within the goldilocks zone for firmness.

A downside is the cabin noise, which is fairly loud with road and wind no matter the speed – but you don't have to raise your voice. You'd expect a bit of noise with the big wheels, but you always hope for more refinement at this grade level.

The Q3 isn’t difficult to park, but it does take a moment to get your bearings on how it fits a space, as it’s bigger than you might expect. The 360-degree camera is super clear, which takes out a lot of the guesswork.

The car feels like an extension of you as a driver which elevates the overall on-road experience despite not being a performance model. This would be well-suited for a driver who wants great on-road performance without feeling like someone who is in a mid-life crisis.

If the bespoke styling wasn’t enough of a giveaway, all it takes to realise you are behind the wheel of something special is to turn on the GLA 45 S.

The prodigious engine is fantastic in the A 45 S and CLA 45 S and is no different here.

With peak power coming in at a heady 6750rpm and maximum torque available from 5000-5250rpm, the GLA 45 S likes to rev and makes it feel a little like a naturally aspirated engine in character.

Don’t get us wrong, once the boost becomes available, you will feel that shove into the back, but it’s great that Mercedes has made the engine perform a little more predictably.

Paired to the engine is a smooth shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is one of the better versions I've experienced.

Many DCT bugbears, such as jerkiness at low speeds and clunkiness when putting into reverse, aren’t apparent here, and the transmission is up to the task when puttering around town or when driving spiritedly.

Speaking of which, the GLA 45 S’ different drive modes will easily change its character from tame to wild, with available options including ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’, ‘Individual’ and ‘Slippery.’

Each mode will tweak the engine response, transmission speed, suspension setting, traction control and exhaust, while each can also be mixed and matched in the ‘Individual’ drive mode.

However, a missing feature for the GLA 45 S that is found in its A 45 S and CLA 45 S siblings is a drift mode.

Sure, how many small SUV owners are going to take their car to a track to make use of it, but it still would have been nice to have the option.

With three levels of suspension setting, though, the GLA 45 S offers enough variability to be comfortable around town and soak up the bumps thanks to its long suspension travel, while also switchable for a more involved, driver-focused feel.

The GLA 45 S might never corner as hard or fast as its A45 S sibling, but being an SUV brings its own unique set of plus points.

At the time of writing, the new-generation GLA – including this GLA 45 S – has yet to be crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

However, standard safety equipment extends to autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor.

The GLA also has nine airbags spread throughout the cabin, as well as an active bonnet and driver attention alert.

The Q3 comes with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty, which is a normal term for the class.

You can pre-purchase a five-year servicing plan, which costs $3330 overall, or $666 per service which is competitive for the premium segment.

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 15,000km whichever occurs first.

Like all new Mercedes-Benz models, the GLA 45 S comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assist – the benchmark in the premium car space.

Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first, and the first five services are available to purchase for $4300.

This actually makes the new GLA 45 S cheaper to maintain over its first five years than the outgoing car, which costs $4950 over the same time period.