With the advent of Mercedes-Benz’s new GLA compact SUV, the EV game has moved forward once again. This time, in the compact SUV space.

While Chinese brands have been making strides in most European markets, their German counterparts have been a little slower to join the EV race.

The new GLA is up against two posh stalwarts though – the iX1 has been around a while and the Q4 e-tron recently facelifted. Can either put up a fight against the plucky new Merc?

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​Mercedes-Benz GLA​

Price: from £42,000 (est)

WLTP range: up to 408 miles

Battery size (usable): up to 85kWh

Max charging rate: 320kW

0–62mph: 5.4 secs

Boot capacity: 410 litres

First, the shiny new one of the three. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is fresh off the factory floor with a slew of fresh upgrades. Most importantly for any EV, in range and charging. The GLA will now reach up to 408 miles (657km) on a single charge and replenish at up to 320kW. 

That range figure does of course relate only to the rear wheel drive, 85kWh NMC battery GLA 250+. Other trims with smaller batteries or all-wheel drive systems will need more frequent charging.

The interior is the next big step up for the new GLA. While it doesn’t receive the full fat, single display Hyperscreen you’ll find in the new C-Class, the GLA still packs plenty of digital real estate with a 14-inch central display and an optional passenger facing panel to keep your co-pilot entertained.

Further upgrades include a large 107-litre frunk, which unfortunately cannot be opened with a press of the badge like on the C-Class. 

There’s also a revised, if somewhat polarising, exterior look with a new front grille boasting up to 608 individual LEDs. There’s also an electrochromic sunroof that can be dimmed in sections at the press of a button. It can even be optioned with an array of three-pointed stars that can light up in a vast spectrum of colours.

​BMW iX1​

Price: from £37,065 (£33,015 with the electric car grant)

WLTP range: up to 312 miles

Battery size (usable): 64.7kWh

Max charging rate: 130kW

0–62mph: 5.6 secs

Boot capacity: 490 litres

The current version of the BMW iX1 was released all the way back in November 2022. Despite BMW’s recent efforts to lightly update the car, that hasn't disguised the fact that the iX1 is getting a little long in the tooth. 

Another minus point, it does have a battery quite a bit smaller than the new GLA and that gives it a range some 100 miles shorter. But, it does maintain an identical theoretical efficiency rating of 4.8m/kWh.

The iX1 does hold a unique advantage in terms of its practicality. Despite being the shortest car of the three at 4.5m long, the iX1 packs the second largest boot with 490 litres on offer with the rear seats in place. It only falls 10-25 litres behind the larger Audi Q4. That does only count for the rear storage compartment though – the iX1, much like the Q4 e-tron, does not have a frunk.

The biggest thing going for the iX1 is price. Not only has BMW just sliced a bunch of money off all trims of the iX1 so now the base iX1 eDrive 20 Sport qualifies for the UK government’s electric car grant! So all in all, it’s become £10k cheaper than it was!

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​Audi Q4 e-tron

Price: from £46,260

WLTP range: up to 368 miles

Battery size (usable): up to 77kWh

Max charging rate: 185kW

0–62mph: 5.4 secs

Boot capacity: 515 litres

Some may think that the Audi Q4 e-tron ought to be in a class above the competitors in this list. And in size, it might be- falling more under the midsized SUV category than the compact SUV one. However, despite its larger footprint, the Q4 costs only a little more than we expect the GLA to in the UK.

What does that extra money get you? Well, as mentioned, you definitely get more space. While there’s no front storage on the Q4, the boot is the largest of the three at 515 litres.

The smaller battery in the Q4 does mean that it falls in the middle of the pack when it comes to range, extracting up to 368 miles from a 77kWh battery. 

The mathematically skilled among you may have already realised that in some strange stroke of luck (or by design) the three cars on this list all feature near-identical efficiency figures! The Q4 e-tron also clocks in at up to 4.8m/kWh.

The interior of the Q4 is just as nice a place to be as the iX1, perhaps a half-step below the Mercedes if you want gadgets and gizmos. The materials are excellent though, and the Q4 ekes out a win with a passenger display option that doesn’t leave you with a slab of shiny plastic should you not opt to spend the extra cash. In lieu, some real design work. Thanks Audi!

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So, which of the three is best for me?

The answer to that depends heavily on what you need, and what you’re willing to spend. If you’re in the market for the most range, the fastest charging, and the most up to date underpinnings, then there’s only one answer. The Mercedes-Benz GLA has to be the one for you.

Just bear in mind that you’ll be paying for those specs, and for the same as a middlingly equipped GLA, you could have a more substantial vehicle in the Audi Q4 e-tron. It won’t go as far as the Mercedes on a single charge, but it’s just as efficient and carries more space for both passengers, and their stuff.

Finally, if you’d like to save the best part of £10,000 over either the Mercedes or the Audi, then the BMW iX1 could be the best bang for your buck. No, it doesn’t go as far or charge as quickly, but for a car some four years older than either of the other two options, it’s just as spacious as the Mercedes, just as efficient as either of the two and just as impressive too.

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