Compare the2024 BMW X3 MVS 2024 Mercedes AMG GLA

The BMW X3 M 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 AMG GLA doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X3 M and the AMG GLA have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW X3 M weighs 752 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLA. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X3 M has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The AMG GLA has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLA’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 20 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The X3 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 171 more horsepower (473 vs. 302) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 295) than the AMG GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 201 more horsepower (503 vs. 302) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 295) than the AMG GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 M Competition is faster than the Mercedes AMG GLA:

The X3 M has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLA (17.2 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X3 M’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 AMG GLA doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLA:

The X3 M stops shorter than the AMG GLA:

For better traction, the X3 M has larger tires than the AMG GLA (F:255/45R20 & R:265/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

The X3 M’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLA’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the AMG GLA.

The X3 M has a standard 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 AMG 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 AMG GLA don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3 M’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the AMG GLA (112.8 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the AMG GLA 35 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the AMG GLA 35 (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

The X3 M has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG GLA.

The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLA with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 15.4 cubic feet). The X3 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLA with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The X3 M’s cargo area is larger than the AMG GLA’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the X3 M is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the AMG GLA. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 M has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 M to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG GLA doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the X3 M and the AMG GLA have standard heated front seats. The X3 M also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG GLA.

The BMW X3 outsold the Mercedes GLA by over five to one during 2023.