Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs Audi E-Tron
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

$29,999 - $67,868

2021 price

View pricing & specs

Audi E-Tron

—

2022 price

View pricing & specs

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA250

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Volkswagen Transporter

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

2022 Audi E-Tron

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Electric motor type

Multi-Motor – Mixed Types

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.5L/100km (combined)

Electric range

320 km

Energy consumption

27.0 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

95.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Lovely design inside and out
Terrifically planted and safe
Evocative, flexible performance

Mean looks
Understated power
Mind-bending handling

Dislikes

Full suite of safety costs extra
Some quality lapses inside
Ride still unsettled even on optional adaptive dampers

Feels its weight around town
Lacking some EV innovations
Energy efficiency

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Summary

ONE of the great motoring successes of the past decade has been the Mercedes-Benz GLA, catapulting the brand to unparalleled prominence in the premium small SUV field and kicking off the posh little coupe-hatch crossover craze.

Cynics might say that it is essentially a jumped-up A-Class hatchback, much like the Subaru XV is basically an Impreza in stilettos. But while the small German crossover is built on the same MFA2 platform as its smaller transverse-engined Benz brethren, no body panels are shared, granting it a distinct look and personality. Unlike the little Suby…

The H247-series GLA launched in Australia in 2020 is second-generation, featuring a longer wheelbase and appreciably more space, but a shorter overall length than the popular original from 2013. It's also substantially taller.

Here we take a long, hard look at the bestselling GLA 250 4Matic.

View full pricing & specs

2022 Audi E-Tron Summary

The e-tron S was inevitable.

The marriage of the latest automotive trends – sporty electrified SUVs with specific performance bits, the e-tron S is as much rooted in Audi’s future as it is in the present.

Having been one of the earliest fully electric German cars in the space, and now with a few years of age on it. Can the e-tron S shine as one of the best? Read on to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2022 Audi E-Tron

Verdict

With Mercedes-Benz’s vast number of SUVs, there is room for an urban luxury crossover niche, and the GLA delivers in spades.

Indeed, in 250 4Matic guise, it is that rare thing – a high-riding hatch with dynamics to shame most dedicated pocket-rockets. It really is a hoot if you find the right road, regardless of weather conditions. The Benz has towering talent.

However, even without desirable options like adaptive dampers and a full suite of driver-assist safety technology, the GLA is expensive, does not quite carry off the price tag from an interior quality point of view, and struggles to maintain the degree of comfort and refinement expected from a Mercedes – with or without the $3K necessary to score adaptive dampers.

Still, especially because of the way the GLA looks, goes, stops and steers, if you can afford it, you’ll be rewarded. There’s never been a more rounded GLA.

Verdict

The e-tron S looks mean, feels premium, and blends serious power with surprising grace under pressure. I still can’t shake the feeling I had with the standard e-tron, though, that this car is an Audi sports SUV first and an electric car second, and its weight holds it back from being as fun to drive as I think some rivals are.

If you love Audi and you want to go electric without stepping into something too unfamiliar it’s a great option. If you want an electric car which takes full advantage of what the next generation of technology can offer, keep an eye out, there’s plenty of fresh metal on the way.

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs Audi E-Tron What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs Audi E-Tron
What's the difference?