Compare the2025 BMW X2VS 2025 Mercedes GLA

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X2 has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X2. But it costs extra on the GLA.

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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 11 points higher than the GLA.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Mercedes.

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (241 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X2 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 91 more horsepower (312 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X2 M35i xDrive is faster than the Mercedes GLA:

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.

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:

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the GLA (245/45R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The X2 xDrive28i’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 GLA’s standard 55 series tires. The X2’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the GLA’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 xDrive28i has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLA. The X2’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLA.

The X2 xDrive28i has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M35i) 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% to 43%) than the GLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the X2 more stable handling and braking.

The X2 M35i xDrive handles at .86 G’s, while the GLA 250 4MATIC pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 M35i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the GLA 250 4MATIC (26.1 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLA with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 19 cubic feet). The X2 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLA with its rear seat folded (51.7 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The X2 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GLA.

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