The 2022 Mercedes GLA is the most desirable subcompact SUV/crossover that tends to gather lots of interest both from existing and new Mercedes Benz customers. The Audi Q5 on the other hand is a compact SUV that both costs more and offers more, but is the price difference enough to justify that?
For starters, the 2022 Mercedes GLA does not exactly lack space to begin with and it is a newer car because it came out with a full restyle in 2020. The 2022 Audi Q5 is actually a refresh model and this generation of the Q5 first debuted back in 2017.
The Q5 is a larger, more comfortable car that can easily fit more people and more luggage while also being higher off the ground and packed with higher quality materials. The GLA is an urban SUV that is not nearly as spacious nor comfortable as the Q5.
Substance-wise, the Q5 is a better car because it is a step up over the Audi Q3 which is the true Mercedes GLA competitor. Value-wise, the Q5 is still a bit more enjoyable than the GLA even though it costs $10.000. The Q5 has been out for a while which means that you are much more likely going to encounter discounts.
2022 Mercedes Benz GLA – The “entry-level” Mercedes SUV
With a starting price of $36,400, the GLA250 is the most popular GLA model by a mile. It comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that pushes out 221hp and offers an average fuel consumption of 28MPG combined. If you are willing to pay $2,000 more, Mercedes is willing to strap an AWD system on the GLA which should make it more capable.
Luxury-wise, the GLA offers a lot of style and a decent amount of substance which means that everything looks amazing, but it does not always feel amazing. The main focal point of the interior is the two widescreen infotainment system setup that is going to wow everyone.
Space-wise, the GLA is nothing to write home about as it offers the worst cargo capacity out of its class while the seating space is mediocre at best. The driving experience is brisk and the GLA handles well for a tall car while also being superiorly comfortable for its class.
All in all, the GLA is a great city luxury small SUV that can also hold its own on the highway. There is only one engine option to chose from, besides the AMG variants of course which are too expensive to be recommended.
2022 Audi Q5 – The “mid-level” Audi SUV
The 2022 Audi Q5 starts at $44,100 for a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder that pushes out 261hp. However, the Q5 offers a few additional engine choices which also include a 362hp hybrid and a range-topping 3.0L V6 engine with 350hp. All-wheel drive comes as standard which narrows down the price gap between the GLA and the Audi for about $2,000.
Luxury-wise, the compact Audi Q5 looks and feels more substantial than the GLA and that is rather obvious the moment you climb inside the cabin. The interior is not as flashy as the one in the GLA, but the build quality and overall material choices are a definite step above the GLA.
Space-wise, the Q5 beats the GLA easily as it offers both more seating space and more cargo space. The Q5 is both longer and taller than the GLA which means that it feels bigger and more commanding to drive. The Q5 is also more capable off-road because it offers more ground clearance.
The Q5 comes better equipped from the factory and is also a better family car thanks to more space to fit a baby seat and because the doors open wider.
The Mercedes GLA is a great car, but the Q5 is simply better. The only aspect the GLA does better than the Q5 is the design, especially on the inside, but this is acquired taste and it’s not the same for everyone. On the other hand, the Q5 is bigger, more desirable, higher-up the range, more comfortable, and more spacious.
It also offers s more commanding driving position with better all-around visibility. If you are able to find a decently optioned-out Q5 for a bit of a discount, the Q5 is a better car, no-brainer. However, if you are sensible with your budget and you don’t need the extra space, size, comfort, and quality, go for the GLA.
FAQ Section
Is the Audi Q5 a more reliable car than Mercedes GLA?
Both the Q5 and the GLA seem to be decently reliable, but none of these are near the top of their segments. This is because both Audi and Mercedes want to make feature-packed cars that are more focused on innovation, luxury, and style rather than on reliability and longevity.
This does not mean that these cars lack quality, it means that they are so complex that it’s difficult for them to always operate smoothly.
Is the Audi Q5 safer than the Mercedes GLA?
Both of these hold a stellar 5-star safety rating which means that they utilize lots of software wizardry to help them keep you safe in everyday situations. It is worth mentioning that you need to spend extra money on both the Audi and the Mercedes if you want all the safety bells and whistles.
All in all, safety is a priority for both brands which means that all of their modern cars are indeed safe.
Does the Audi Q5 hold a better value than the Mercedes GLA?
The Audi Q5 does hold its value better because it belongs in a higher price bracket and the people who tend to buy the Q5 are more likely to keep it for longer. Many sources online state that the Q5 is not depreciating as fast as the GLA which means that even though the Q5 does cost more, yet also holds value better.
The entire argument here is about the price anyway because the Q5 is way better than the GLA. The Audi Q3 is more closely matched with the GLA and that is rather obvious the moment you take a look at the price.
