Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Mercedes GLA

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLA doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X2’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLA.

Both the X2 and the GLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLA has not been tested, yet.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLA.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X2’s reliability 20 points higher than the GLA.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The GLA isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (228 vs. 221) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (301 vs. 221) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X2 xDrive28i is faster than the Mercedes GLA:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLA doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLA (16.1 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLA doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLA:

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the GLA are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the GLA:

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLA’s standard 55 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the GLA’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the GLA.

The X2 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLA; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The X2 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GLA’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X2’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.2% to 42.8%) than the GLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the X2 more stable handling and braking.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the GLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the GLA 250 4MATIC (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLA with its rear seat up (21.6 vs. 19 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports rated the X2’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLA’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The X2 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X2 will retain 48.65% to 51.59% of its original price after five years, while the GLA only retains 45.43% to 45.49%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLA isn't recommended.