Quick read
Scope: standard-body, mainstream 2026 Australian small SUVs only—Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Includes the GLA and X1 plug-in hybrids; excludes special editions, AMG/M/SQ performance models, BMW X2, Audi Q3 Sportback and separately named EVs such as iX1. Brand segment labels differ, so classifications below use body size and powertrain rather than badge alone.
GLA
| Mercedes-Benz GLA · 3 powertrain variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | GLA 200 | GLA 250 4MATIC | GLA 250 e |
| List price (AUD) | $63,600 | $81,527 | $78,000 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,412 × 1,834 × 1,616 mm WB 2,729 mm | 4,443 × 1,849 × 1,584 mm WB 2,729 mm | 4,421 × 1,834 × 1,609 mm WB 2,729 mm |
| Boot | 425–1,420 L | 425–1,420 L | 445–1,385 L |
| Rear legroom | 976 mm† | 976 mm† | 976 mm† |
| Engine / power · torque | 1.3 L turbo-petrol I4 120 kW / 270 Nm | 2.0 L turbo-petrol I4, 48 V assist 165 kW / 350 Nm | 1.3 L turbo-petrol I4 + e-motor 160 kW / 450 Nm system |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed DCT · FWD | 8-speed DCT · AWD | 8-speed DCT · FWD |
| Fuel / electric range | 7.4 L/100 km (ADR) | 7.9 L/100 km (ADR) | 1.2 L/100 km* Cycle not stated · 65 km WLTP · 11.5 kWh battery |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.9 s | 6.4 s | 7.9 s |
Sources: Mercedes-Benz Australia · GLADrive · Australian GLA variant pricesDrive · GLA 200Drive · GLA 250carsales · GLA 250 e cargo and dimensionsGoAuto · GLA 250 e powertrain
X1
| BMW X1 · 2 powertrain variants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | sDrive20i | xDrive25e PHEV |
| List price (AUD) | $66,700 | $79,500 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,500 × 1,845 × 1,642 mm WB 2,692 mm | |
| Boot | 540–1,600 L | 490–1,495 L |
| Rear legroom | 941 mm‡ Rear bench position and measurement source affect the quoted figure. | |
| Engine / power · torque | 1.5 L turbo-petrol I3, 48 V MHEV 125 kW / 280 Nm | 1.5 L turbo-petrol I3 + e-motor 180 kW / 477 Nm system |
| Battery / transmission · drive | — · 7-speed DCT · FWD | 14.2 kWh reported pack capacity · 7-speed DCT · xDrive AWD |
| Fuel / electric range | 6.5 L/100 km (ADR) | 2.3–3.3 L/100 km (WLTP weighted) 78–86 km WLTP electric range |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.3 s | 6.8 s |
Sources: BMW Australia · X1 technical dataDrive · X1 sDrive20iGoAuto · MY26 X1 range and xDrive25eCarExpert · rear legroom
Q3 SUV
| Audi Q3 SUV · 3 powertrain variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | TFSI 110 kW | TFSI 150 kW quattro S line | TFSI 195 kW quattro |
| List price (AUD) | $61,600 | $70,200 | $81,900 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,531 × 1,859 × 1,564 mm WB 2,681 mm | ||
| Boot | 488–1,386 L | ||
| Rear legroom | No comparable Australian manufacturer figure published.A local review reports a 180 cm tall passenger fits behind their preferred front-seat position. | ||
| Engine / power · torque | 1.5 L turbo-petrol I4, 48 V MHEV 110 kW / 250 Nm | 2.0 L turbo-petrol I4 150 kW / 320 Nm | 2.0 L turbo-petrol I4 195 kW / 400 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed S tronic DCT · FWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · quattro AWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · quattro AWD |
| Combined fuel use | 5.8 L/100 km | 7.3 L/100 km | 8.2 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 9.1 s | 7.1 s | 5.7 s |
Sources: Audi Australia · Q3Audi Australia · Q3 SUV MY26 specification guideCarExpert · 2026 Q3 review
Inter-brand comparisons
Cars are columns and specifications are rows. Matrices are grouped by body class and powertrain so the nearest alternatives sit together.
Badges are per classification. PHEV consumption figures use different test cycles and are not ranked against petrol-only figures.
Small SUV · entry front-drive petrol
| Specification | Mercedes GLA 200 | BMW X1 sDrive20i | Audi Q3 TFSI 110 kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | — | Largest bootFastest | Lowest priceLongestLowest fuel use |
| List price (AUD) | $63,600 | $66,700 | $61,600 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,412 × 1,834 × 1,616 mm WB 2,729 mm | 4,500 × 1,845 × 1,642 mm WB 2,692 mm | 4,531 × 1,859 × 1,564 mm WB 2,681 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 1.3 L turbo I4 120 kW / 270 Nm | 1.5 L turbo I3 MHEV 125 kW / 280 Nm | 1.5 L turbo I4 MHEV 110 kW / 250 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 7-speed DCT · FWD | 7-speed DCT · FWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · FWD |
| Seats-up boot | 425 L | 540 L | 488 L |
| Rear legroom | 976 mm† | 941 mm‡ | Not published |
| Combined fuel use | 7.4 L/100 km | 6.5 L/100 km | 5.8 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.9 s | 8.3 s | 9.1 s |
Small SUV · plug-in hybrid
| Specification | Mercedes GLA 250 e | BMW X1 xDrive25e |
|---|---|---|
| Key badges | Lowest price | Longest bodyLargest bootFastestLongest EV range |
| List price (AUD) | $78,000 | $79,500 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,421 × 1,834 × 1,609 mm WB 2,729 mm | 4,500 × 1,845 × 1,642 mm WB 2,692 mm |
| Engine / system output | 1.3 L turbo I4 + e-motor 160 kW / 450 Nm system | 1.5 L turbo I3 + e-motor 180 kW / 477 Nm system |
| Battery · transmission · drive | 11.5 kWh · 8-speed DCT · FWD | 14.2 kWh reported pack capacity · 7-speed DCT · xDrive AWD |
| Seats-up boot | 445 L | 490 L |
| Rear legroom | 976 mm† | 941 mm‡ |
| Combined fuel / electric range | 1.2 L/100 km* Cycle not stated · 65 km WLTP electric range | 2.3–3.3 L/100 km (WLTP weighted) 78–86 km WLTP electric range |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.9 s | 6.8 s |
Small SUV · all-wheel-drive petrol
| Specification | Mercedes GLA 250 4MATIC | Audi Q3 TFSI 150 kW quattro | Audi Q3 TFSI 195 kW quattro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key badges | — | Lowest priceLowest fuel use | Longest (tie)Largest boot (tie)Fastest |
| List price (AUD) | $81,527 | $70,200 | $81,900 |
| Dimensions · wheelbase | 4,443 × 1,849 × 1,584 mm WB 2,729 mm | 4,531 × 1,859 × 1,564 mm WB 2,681 mm | 4,531 × 1,859 × 1,564 mm WB 2,681 mm |
| Engine · power / torque | 2.0 L turbo I4 MHEV 165 kW / 350 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 150 kW / 320 Nm | 2.0 L turbo I4 195 kW / 400 Nm |
| Transmission · drive | 8-speed DCT · 4MATIC AWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · quattro AWD | 7-speed S tronic DCT · quattro AWD |
| Seats-up boot | 425 L | 488 L | 488 L |
| Rear legroom | 976 mm† | Not published | Not published |
| Combined fuel use | 7.9 L/100 km | 7.3 L/100 km | 8.2 L/100 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.4 s | 7.1 s | 5.7 s |
Sources & how to compare
- Prices are list prices before on-road costs; editions and option packages are not separate powertrain variants.
- Fuel-use badges compare non-plug-in combined petrol figures only. PHEV consumption depends on charge state; the BMW figure is WLTP weighted, while the GLA 250 e's published 1.2 L/100 km figure has no cycle identified in the cited source. PHEVs are not ranked against petrol-only models.
- †GLA rear legroom comes from 2026 Mercedes-Benz North American cabin dimensions; ‡BMW rear legroom is from CarExpert’s specification data. These are indicative, not a common Australian measurement standard. Audi’s Australian material does not give a comparable mm figure.
- Dimensions are length × body width (excluding mirrors) × height; wheelbase is shown separately. Published GLA/Q3 dimensions vary slightly between databases and measurement conventions; confirm with the manufacturer.
- No Q3 PHEV or separate BMW iX1 is included in the model/variant scope. Confirm current availability and specifications with the manufacturer before purchase.