Luxury and frugality are often an oxymoron. Besides, no one expects a luxury item to save money, right? Well, what if there were a luxury vehicle that combined both? Indulgence with a reduction in fuel costs. Sounds good, right? The rise of fuel-efficient vehicles is attributed to ever-stricter emissions and average fuel economy regulations, and automakers are meeting this in various creative ways.
Also, in the luxury segment, it is the Germans who have a stronghold in this area. After all, the luxury segment’s best often came from Germany. If you want the most efficient German luxury SUV, this is the model you’ll have to go for, and it’s a model that’s charming, stylish, and packed full of character.
Take A look At The Mercedes GLA
If you want the most efficient German luxury SUV out there, you’ll unsurprisingly have to go small. In this case, among the small luxury crossover SUVs, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is the most frugal of them all. Mind you, we didn’t take PHEVs into account for this exercise.
29 MPG Combined
Unsurprisingly, the most frugal version of the GLA is the one that doesn’t come with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front-wheel drive (FWD) version can achieve a combined 29 MPG, as it achieves 26 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Other German competitors in this field include the recently-redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 and the 2026 BMW X1. Both models, however, come as is with AWD, which, understandably, makes them a touch thirstier. For now, the 2026 Audi Q3 is too new, so it has not yet been rated by the EPA, but even the Q3 comes standard with Quattro AWD, so it likely won’t match the consumption figures of the FWD version of the GLA.
Turbocharged Power
That efficiency is matched with a perky 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and this is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This is good enough for a 0–60 MPH time of just 6.8 seconds. Interestingly, it is the only one among these small German luxury SUVs that’s electrified to a small degree, because its engine comes with 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification.
Small German SUV Spec Comparison
|
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 |
BMW X1 xDrive28i |
Audi Q3 |
|
|
Engine |
2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid |
2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder |
2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD, AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
|
Horsepower |
221 hp |
241 hp |
255 hp |
|
Torque |
258 lb-ft |
295 lb-ft |
273 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed DCT |
7-speed DCT |
7-speed DCT |
|
0-62 MPH |
6.8 sec. |
6.2 sec. |
5.5 sec. |
|
EPA Combined MPG |
29 MPG (FWD) 28 MPG (AWD) |
28 MPG (AWD) |
TBA |
Though the GLA 250 is close to the performance specs and power output of the BMW X1 xDrive28i and the Audi Q3, it is the least powerful among the three. The X1 has 241 horsepower, while the Q3 makes even more power at 255 horsepower, likewise coming from their version of a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Unsurprisingly, the Q3, having the most power among the bunch, also had the fastest 0–60 MPH at just 5.5 seconds.
Every Small Mercedes SUV You Need to Know About
How many small Mercedes SUVs are available to you? You might be surprised to find out you have quite a few options.
Everything Else The GLA Offers
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA is your entry point into the brand’s portfolio. Oddly enough, the CLA is no longer the most affordable way to get into the Mercedes brand, since the compact sedan is not yet being offered with an internal combustion engine (ICE) for the time being. For now, here’s what the cheapest Mercedes-Benz offers to prospective buyers in 2026.
Hatchback Styling On Stilts
Now in its second generation, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA builds upon the previous model’s hatchback-on-stilts styling. By no means is it rugged, because even with black plastic cladding, the GLA doesn’t look all too imposing. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since what you end up with is a small crossover SUV that looks stylish and youthful. Up front, the GLA proudly showcases its three-pointed star logo enclosed within its wide grille. This is flanked by sleek LED headlights, while the satin silver lower bumper trim adds a sense of sophistication to its front end.
Other nice details include the standard 18-inch wheels, though for additional style points, you can opt for larger wheels, or even splurge for the $3,300 AMG Night Package, which adds, among other styling add-ons, the AMG exterior, the choice of 19- or 20-inch wheels, sport brakes, and other niceties that enhance the interior sportiness of the GLA.
Find 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class SUV and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Premium Interior Vibe
The GLA this time around is slightly taller than the model it replaces, which results in a slightly loftier driving position. As a result, the seating position is in this “Goldilocks” zone, wherein it’s not too low or too tall for people of all ages to sit in. Once inside, you’ll appreciate the sumptuous quality of the GLA’s surfaces. Soft-touch materials are found everywhere but the lower parts of the doors and dash, but that’s expected from all of its rivals at this price point. As standard, the GLA comes with MB-Tex synthetic leather upholstery and glossy silver trims, but you can make its interior truly luxurious by opting for genuine leather seats, along with genuine aluminum or wood trims.
Elsewhere, the interior is spacious enough for its size, but don’t expect the same level of space as a GLC. Tech features are also pretty good, with all variants coming with the MBUX infotainment with two 10.25-inch displays. Various optional extras are available to make the GLA a satisfying vehicle. The Exclusive Trim adds 64-color ambient lighting, smart entry, and wireless charging, while the Pinnacle Trim includes all the stuff from the Premium Trim, but with a panoramic sunroof, built-in navigation, an advanced sound system, and a 360-degree camera, among other features. Unfortunately, we’re not happy with the fact that driving features like adaptive cruise control are an optional extra, as even a base Corolla has this feature as standard.
The Smoothest-Riding SUVs Available Today
If you are looking for a cozy and luxury SUV, you want one that can ride out the bumps in the road with ease – here are the smoothest-riding SUVs.
The Q3 And X1 Are Worth Checking Out
If you’re considering the GLA 250 for its incremental fuel economy advantage, you might want to check out the X1 xDrive28i or the Q3 as well. Versus the GLA, here’s where the other two small German SUVs stand out.
Best-In-Class Power? Audi Q3
The 2026 Audi Q3 is heading to dealers as we speak, and as the freshest kid on the luxury block, there’s a lot to like about this new model. From a styling perspective, the North American market model is fitted with the S Line exterior as standard, so from that point of view, the Q3 already has a slight edge. Its interior is also very modern, though whether it’s premium or not is something we’ll have to feel first before giving a definitive conclusion.
Surely, however, I think its latest MMI infotainment is the best of the three German brands, since its interface is easy to understand and less overwhelming to the eyes. BMW’s very colorful iDrive 9 looks too abstract to me, to the point that the infotainment system is beginning to look a bit too gimmicky. What isn’t a gimmick is its class-leading output, which also results in the Q3 being the fastest to 60 MPH among the trio of small German luxury SUVs. A word of caution, though, Audi clustered the wiper and gear selector into a single multifunction stalk in the Q3, so check this feature out first if it fits your preferences.
Small German SUV Interior Dimension Comparison
|
2026 Audi Q3 |
2026 BMW X1 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Legroom, Front / Rear |
38.1 / 37.6 inches |
42.1 / 39.3 inches |
39.0 / 38.1 inches |
|
Headroom, Front / Rear |
40.0 / 36.1 inches |
40.4 / 37.0 inches |
41.0 / 38.0 inches |
|
Cargo Space, Seats Up / Down |
25.0 / 50.0 cubic feet |
25.7 / 57.2 cubic feet |
15.4 / 50.5 cubic feet |
Flexible Interior? BMW X1
For those who want practicality, the X1’s conventional and upright shape gives it the most flexible interior. Compared to the other two offerings, the 2026 BMW X1 has the most conventional silhouette, since the Q3 and GLA are somewhat going for a hatchback-on-stilts look. The impression of spaciousness translates into the interior volume figures, as you’ll see here.
Furthermore, the X1 has also built a reputation for being the sportiest among the small German luxury SUV crop, and combined with its practical interior, the X1 enjoys more sales than the GLA and Q3. Then again, Mercedes-Benz also has the GLB that’s closely related to the GLA, thus splitting the customer base across the two models.
Sourced: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, The EPA