The GLA has a much smaller back seat and trunk. It's actually faster to 60 and has slightly wider tires. The GLA also uses a dual clutch transmission, so you have to like how that feels at low speed. The GLA is also re-branded as an Infiniti, I'm not sure if it's possible to get a better price through that brand or not.

As a package, the X1 is much better in my view.

Obviously, there's the AMG GLA which is a different story...

 

For AWD models, the xDrive 2.8 X1 manages 0-60 in 6.3 seconds vs. 7.1 seconds for the 2.0 liter GLA, so I'm not sure which model you were looking at. The AMG version is a whole different story, yes! My wife's interested in something deliberately small but with around 30 mpg highway fuel economy since she does a fair amount of 120-mile commutes (that's in one direction). She currently drives a Juke, which is pretty tiny (deliberately so) but she wants something peppy and w/o a CVT. I heard the suspension on the Mercs is typically a bit more mushy, which she may actually prefer vs. a stiffer setup. She thinks my X3 is too big for her, hence my suggestion of the X1, but she likes the looks of the GLA. Comfortable seats is also a big factor; she finds the X3 seats to be a bit stiff and I have to agree there - they are not the most comfortable in the world, though the '14 model seats feel better than in the '13 I had. I guess a test drive is the only way to truly judge.

 

I think the GLA can actually do a 6.1 second 0-60 with its launch control. Also, 7.1 second Mercedes quotes is somewhat misleading when it comes to normal driving performance (non drag race performance).

The 5-60, 30-50 and 50-70 mph times are basically the same between the GLA and the X1.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-mercedes-benz-gla250-4matic-instrumented-test-review

http://media.caranddriver.com/files...-instrumented-test-review-car-and-drivermercedesbenzgla2504maticcomparo2016.pdf
http://media.caranddriver.com/files/2016-bmw-x1-xdrive28i2016-bmw-x1-xdrive28i-instrumented-test.pdf

As for the seats, she's going to have to spend some time in both. The X1 seats are not for everybody.

 

OK. I'll grant you that -- but my wife is very, very unlikely to go through a launch control sequence! LOL Similar performance is good.

I am personally more concerned about the warranty and the extending of warranty part, in particular if we were to go with a CPO model. The explanations of the warranties are very confusing and in the case of the Merc, it could transition over three different warranty types. :yikes:

Thanks much, BTW, for your feedback and the links!

 

C&D did a comparison test that included X1, GLA, QX30, Q3 and NX. As mentioned, the GLA was a tick quicker 0-60. In C&D's words,"the X1 ran away with the test" overall. Just one source, but food for thought. CR ranks the X1 lower in the segment (maybe #4 or so) with the Q3 at the top.

 

I examined both cars prior to purchasing the X1.
I currently have a MB C300 4Matic sedan. I've had many BMW's over the years.

The biggest turnoff for me with the GLA was the poor outward visibility. In that car, you sit down in it. Door sills are high. Dash seems high relative to the seating position and the top of the windshield / roofline is lower. I definitely did not like the feeling when sitting in it, and the comparatively poor outward visibility. This to me translates into a loss of confidence when driving the car - much more of a disconnected feeling. Again, a very big turnoff for me.

Interior space and capacity in the GLA is significantly less than the X1. If you are purchasing the vehicle for its utility value, the X1 is a better option in my opinion.

Subjective opinion - I thought the interior of the GLA was not a very inspired design and cheap looking and feeling.

Negatives with the X1 (based on my experience with it as an owner thus far): The seat comfort. I have the optional Sport seats. Everyone is different - but for me, the seats are taking some getting used to. I think I am adapting to them however. Road noise with the 19" wheel option. Some of this is tied to the standard run flats. I will switch them out for non-run flats in the late fall. (Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+).

Strengths of the X1 - include handling, engine / trans performance (very well engineered) and work great together. Even though the X1 is at the low end of the BMW model hierarchy, this is every bit a BMW. They have not dumbed this vehicle down. Seating position and outward visibility. Everything that the GLA is (to the negative), the X1 is the polar opposite. GREAT visibility - lending itself to providing the driver with a strong sense of confidence. I simply enjoy driving this vehicle because I can better sense what is happening with it, and how I am connected to the road in it. My feeling is that it is also safer because of this.

Durability of the materials overall in the MB in my experience are superior to the BMW. How the various materials age and wear over time is what I'm referring to. The MB is simply built to a different standard. Not sure if the GLA will hold up to that same standard as it is at the low end of the MB model hierarchy.

Best of luck in making your selection.

 

I spent about 15 seconds in the Mercedes showroom. Opened the trunk in GLA - nope, way too small. Looked at the price tag of the GLC - nope. The X1 won because of the balance in price, size, and performance.

 

More or less the same here.
Went to see a GLA just after seeing an X1. Spent a bit longer than you (perhaps 30 seconds ) looking at it before walking out. It just felt so cramped and claustrophobic compared to the X1.

 

If new were an option, I'd also seriously consider the brand new Jaguar E-Pace. There is some serious competition there...

 

To the original poster, my wife was looking for a small SUV and looked at the GLA and X1 as well. Main pros for the GLA were the option for blindspot warning (not available for X1) and better seats (as others have mentioned, unless you opt for the sport seats in the X1, the Mini-type seats aren't for everyone). The GLA felt fine driving and handling-wise, but yes, cabin definitely felt small, especially in the back. The GLA isn't bad, but if you like it, check out the Infiniti QX30, as you get more for your money there for basically the same car.

In our case, we patiently searched and watched the CPO X1 market, but being that it's seemingly the most affordable BMW SUV and the F48 is relatively new, we weren't able to find what we wanted at a reasonable savings. For whatever reason, we decided to test drive the X3 and X4, which as you know are at or near the end of their life cycle for the F25/F26. While slightly bigger, and a little worse in fuel economy compared to the X1, we ended up going with an X3. There seem to be some pretty decent deals out there, and you can find options you can't get in the X1 (blindspot, better seats in my opinion, LED lights if you're into that). You may be surprised at how little price difference there is between a CPO X1 vs. X3, and you may end up getting "more car" for comparable money. Good luck!

 

Thanks much, @BTL, I appreciate your feedback!

I currently drive an X3 myself and my wife feels it's too big (she drives a Juke now, don't forget, so it seems to be large by comparison!). She had a RAV4 before they got bulbous (as big as the X3 now). Comfortable seats is important from the driving perspective, especially for long hauls, and after sitting in an X1, I felt the seats were at least as stiff or stiffer than in the X3 -- the smallness would probably suit her better, but perhaps not the hardness.

The X1 comes with a lot of options that are perhaps more affordable. You're right that X1 CPOs are hard to come by. We need AWD and heated seats - and even those are difficult to find as a combo (partly because most folks in the greater Phoenix, AZ area don't need either AWD nor heated seats).

Given that the 2018 GLA has already been released, it may be easier to bargain on a used one of those, in particular if she likes the seating. She does prefer the GLA styling over the X1, but not by a huge margin. It may boil down to the little things like the seats, availability and figuring out the extended warranty quagmire. I got my X3 in early 2016 as a CPO and it's good 'til Feb. 2020 and 100k miles (have a tad over 60k now). Sad to not see that extent offered in warranty any more. The GLA warranty extension is even more perplexing. However, another factor to consider is that Flagstaff now has a MB dealership, which may also be a bonus compared to my having to travel to Phoenix to get the X3 serviced.

Many thanks again! :thumbup:

 

We rented a Merc GLA on a recent trip to Europe and it was supper cramped....had a family member showing us around and we could barely fit our luggage behind the seat...I became ill and needed to ride laying down...rear seat hardly allowed me to do that. The X1 is fraxtions of an inch smaller inside than a X3..bigger in some measurements and is very nimble and in Sport mode very responsive...like we wanted!

 

Thanks, @spitpilot. The 2017 GLA measures 174 L x 71 W x 60 H. The Juke we have now measures 162 L x 70 W x 62 H, so is a full foot shorter. She thinks it's a great size, as it is used for commuting and not hauling a lot of anything, one front-seat passenger at the most, so that size isn't a problem. With hauling 3+ people around, I can completely see this would be tough. The '17 X1 comes in at 175 L x 72 W x 64 H, so like you said, it's the cabin design that wins there. The X3 is 184 L x 74 W x 66 H, so 9" longer and a full 22" longer than the Juke. Big difference there, vs. 13" for the X1 and 12" for the GLA. I'm sure the X1 and X3 have got more headroom. The X1 wins in cargo space with 27.1 ft³, 58.7 ft³ with seat area vs. the GLA with 17.2 ft³, 43.6 ft³ with seat area and the Juke comes in with just 10.5 ft³, 35.9 ft³ with seat area, making the X1 cavernous by comparison. While the GLA is a distant second, it still beats the Juke handily. I think the seats are going to be the big deciding point.

I appreciate all the thoughts on this as it really helps to gather these different experiences and perspectives. Ultimately, it's the live experience that will likely carry more weight than most of the research. You usually get a pretty quick idea if a vehicle is going to be a serious option or not.

 

I did a "comparo" between current X3 and X1 (look for thread X3 or X1?...or something like that) only place the X3 was the winner was rear seat head room..but the Merc GLA is even smaller. We were coming from a VW Golf...165" long with WB less than 100"...so we were looking for best handling...the X1 with sport suspension has delivered, we've taken two back roads "roadtrips" so far, and enjoyed every miin....not to mention two lane passing is a walk in the park with the turbo motor...flick the "-" shift paddle down a notch or two and floor it..you're by and doing 80 in no time! Only thing I miss is the fold flat front passenger seat back...MKV VW Golf/GTI had that and it was great for Home Depot runs...I could put a step ladder in and close the hatch....:thumbup: But my HD runs are getting more compact so I'm sure the X1 will do the job. Try out the "M" sport version...the handling and seats should win you over. Get a 2017 though..BMW is adding a bunch of stuff to the package next year and raising the cost from $2400 to $4000+!:thumbdwn: We didn't want "bells 'n whistles" like garaged door opening mirrors... real options that add to performance and comfort get our votes and $$$'s!

 

Regarding the handling of the X1 vs X3 - wheelbase is also a factor (105" vs 110"). This has an impact on turn radius and you can clearly sense the difference when driving one versus the other.

 

Yup,,,my 328I with M sport option isn't as "flingable" in the twisties as the X1 and the X1 isn't as "flingable" as my ol Golf with GTI suspension was...which had a 98" WB as I recall...Now if you are talking ride smoothness over uneven pavement...longer WB is your friend.:thumbup:

 

@dev/null. Sorry, didn't realize you already own an X3. In that case, if what you're looking at are comparably priced, I'd definitely go with the X1 over the GLA, and not just because this is a BMW forum. It really stood out compared to the others we test drove. We test drove a lot of makes since March of this year, and when I have time can post some thoughts (or PM me if you want) -- compared the X1, X3, X4, GLA, GLC, QX30, RDX, Q3, XC60, Evoque, Discovery Sport.

Don't know what kind of price range and other factors (warranty, mileage, finance, etc.) you're considering, but as we were assessing our options and going through the process, these were two that I remember that we were really considering getting before pulling the trigger on the X3. These were purchase considerations, no lease:

1. 2016 X1, loaded with everything we wanted (Estoril blue, M sport, xenon lights, backup camera, can't remember the others), original MSRP new 48K. It was a recently retired loaner with 7K miles or so, offered as CPO elite (warranty through 2021), dealer was offering 0.9% APR at 40.9K pre-tax. We really wanted this one, but apparently someone else beat us to it, as due to work schedule we couldn't go until the weekend, sold around Memorial day.

2. 2016 GLA, sport package, xenon lights, backup camera and a few other things, original MSRP new 45K. It was used with 10K miles, not certified, but original factory warranty good through 2020, dealer was not MB, but Audi or some other reputable, non-shady major dealer (can't remember), dealer had no special APR to offer, but was selling at 28.9K pre-tax. While we liked the X1 more, we were in a situation somewhat similar to you (car primarily DD for my wife, not necessarily needed as our main hauler), and at the price, with the options it had, this was hard to pass up too. I mean seriously, when the difference for a used GLA can be over 10K less, it really had us thinking. Wife would've been just as happy with that one at that price (we think). We could've had this one, but decided to pass because we tend to keep cars for 5+ yrs, so while a good price, wanted something we wouldn't regret.

Anyways, hope this helps and I'll try posting on those others we test if that'd be of help.

Best,

BTL

 

Hi, all, and most recently. @BTL. I do appreciate all the feedback from you and everyone else. It's good to get a wide variety of things to ponder!

To me the biggest issues brought up -- all of which are valid and important -- are (in no particular order):
o Space (mostly seating)
o Seat comfort or lack thereof)
o visibility (driving position, ability to back up, etc.)
o Warranty
o Spare tire option (X1 only!)

Not really relevant are things like storage space, amenities you can get pretty much the same ones). Both vehicles look good, handle well, and would serve the purpose. The fuel economy is similar enough *the GLA might be a tad better). Both seem to handle well in the snow, and AWD is a must.

Had not thought about a spare tire until just this moment, but my wife really would prefer one and AFAIK, all X1 models have the option to stow a spare space saver tire (even apparently the AWD xDrive ones) because with that and the option to ditch the run-flat tires, that may be the biggest selling point right there. Worst case, she'd haul one around, but she still can't believe I feel totally comfortable with the X3 and run-flats P7 at present, probably go with Bridgestone or Continental as replacements when the time comes). There's no way to haul a spare in the GLA, that's for sure! Really don't like those donut space-saving spares, either, but better than nothing.

Looking to get hopefully 3 years or so warranty and top out purchase at around $30k minus whatever we can get for the Juke (maybe $10k if we're lucky, plus have about $6k left of payments on it). Would opt if possible for a cash deal. That means we're looking at around $26k to spend and hopefully not do any financing this round. This is where the warranty for a CPO becomes important, as any little thing is going to be costly, as we all know. I still have 'til Feb. 2020 on the X3 and would certainly plan to unload it before the warranty runs out. If the vehicle works out well, we'd even consider paying for extending it further, if possible.

 

You'll have a hard time buying an X1 for $30K I think...I punched in a 2016 barre bones (no packages, no leather, no sunroof) with 18000 miles in Good Condition...and got a trade in valve of over $25.7K....since most I've seen on the lots are better equiipped...that'd raiise the trade in value up to pretty near what your buy target is...

 

Agree with two posts above. It'll probably be difficult, but perhaps if there's a way to link up with people like spitpilot on this forum where you can arrange to buy it from them over them trading it in or turning in their lease, that may work. With dealer pricing, current demand and limited supply of used/early off lease given the newness of the X1, it'll be hard trying to get one from the dealer.

Our budget was higher than yours, and we were trying to find one under 15k miles with M sport, and it was very difficult finding one even in the 36-39k price range (couldn't get one with just M sport alone, as they'd always have additional options). If no M sport, it was doable in the mid 30k's, but with it (I just couldn't do the standard seats), slim pickings. If you're patient, hopefully you'll get lucky though. Good luck and let us know how it goes and how we can help.

 

One option to consider is Craig's List in areas with high BMW sales...like CA....I grabbed my 328 with only 3500 miles on it (3 months in service) off Craig's List from a private party with a family emergency who needed immediate cash..Bought a $48K MSRP car for $33.5K!

My neighbor was looking for a very specific vhecile (color and options) and found nothing for months here in Reno...I checked out Craig's List for SF and found exactly what he wanted...after some vetting by phone..he went down, did a final inspection and bought the vehicle.
Tons of $$'s floating around CA and more than a few folks change cars like I change tee shirts:yikes:..also, there's a good deal of "life changes" (divorces, transfers, getting a company car etc) that produce "good bargain" opportunities in CA and I'm sure, other affluent urban markets as well.:thumbup:

 

GLA/X1 Comparison

In response to the original post, this may help (if not too late)
https://youtu.be/X4IxKHfj5XI

 

I sat in the QX30 while shopping the X1. It's very tight inside, and the back seat is nearly unusable. I'm sure it's fun to drive and whatnot, and if you don't really need a back seat it could be OK I guess.