It's difficult to think of a time when car companies lacked compact crossovers in their lineups. These vehicles are now a staple for just about every manufacturer, given their enormous popularity with those looking for the practicality of an SUV and the useability of a smaller, city-friendly car.
A surge in popularity has happened, largely, over the past five years or so, with the market becoming packed with many solid options to choose from. And, as usual, it's the big German manufacturers that are at the forefront of a segment.
You have BMW's X2, which is a stylish and fun-to-drive option for anyone looking to enter into the compact crossover market. Then, of course, there is its competition from Mercedes, the GLA, which represents much the same. But what if it's a sportier, more performance-focused version of both you're after? Then you're in luck, as there are suitable rides from both manufacturers.
So, on that note, let's see how the Mercedes GLA 250 compares with the BMW X2 xDrive28i.
How The Mercedes GLA 250's Engine Compares With The BMW X2 xDrive28i
The Mercedes GLA is, as you can probably tell by just looking at it, an evolution of the company's ever-popular A-Class. And while the initial GLA was often viewed much like a taller version of the A-Class, the second-generation has been given a bit of a redesign, making it much more of a compact SUV. According to Auto Express, it's a full 11cm taller than the earlier model and has a longer wheelbase — by 30mm — as well as a larger trunk.
Engine-wise, the GLA 250 acts as something of a middle ground between lower-spec models and the all-out, fire-breathing AMG versions. It comes with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine that's turbocharged, delivering 221 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty, then, and enough to propel the GLA 250 to sixty in 6.9 seconds. It maxes out at 149 MPH. According to What Car?, the GLA 250 is a car that's hot hatch-like fast with plenty of low-down muscle.
The X2, meanwhile, was developed by BMW to fill the gap between the X1 and X3 models, and the focus, while still retaining practicality, was more so on styling and sportiness. Much like the GLA 250, the version we're looking at here, the xDrive28i, is essentially a step below the top-of-the-range model, the X2 M35i — in that its performance is brisk, though not quite as serious.
It comes with a 2.0-liter, inline-four petrol engine that is —just like the GLA 250 — turbocharged, with slightly more horsepower at 228 and identical torque at 258 lb-ft. That means it can hit 60 MPH in just 6.3 seconds and, although official figures weren't available, we'd have to guess that the top speed would be roughly similar to that of the GLA 250. Both cars come with all-wheel drive as standard, too.
Here's How Much It Could Cost You To Own A GLA 250 Or X2 xDrive28i
Price-wise, the BMW X2 xDrive28i starts at $38,600, which is before you've thrown in any added extras. If you're after the M Sport package, which gives you the Shadowline exterior trim, M double-spoke, bi-color wheels, and an M Sport steering wheel, then you can expect to pay an additional $4,400.
The GLA 250, meanwhile, starts at $39,280 before options. For the sake of comparison, if you're looking at throwing Mercedes' equivalent of the M Sport package in there, the AMG line, then you can expect to pay between $2,600 and $3,000. This would depend on whether you want the extra Night package — which essentially gives the car a sportier look with additional black trim.
The Interior Of The Mercedes GLA 250 And BMW X2 xDrive28i
Interior-wise, both cars are premium and contemporary. The X2 comes as standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen and satellite navigation, which is operated through BMW's easy-to-use rotary iDrive dial. Apple carplay comes as standard across the range, though Android Auto isn't available. For an additional $1,550, you can have BMW's Premium tech pack, which gives you extra features like keyless entry and a heated steering wheel. The X2 also comes as standard with BMW's Sensatec synthetic leather, which can be upgraded to a genuine Dakota variant for an additional $1,450.
The Mercedes, on the other hand, comes with dual screens — one of which handles the infotainment, the other the speedometer and rev counter — and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It features turbine-like air vents, too, which, when combined with the infotainment system, really make the interior look premium and contemporary. Much like the X2, the GLA 250 comes as standard with Mercedes' synthetic leather material — named MB-Tex — while actual leather is priced at an additional $1,450.
So, if you're in the market for a compact crossover with good performance, a premium interior, and fresh looks, then ultimately, either one of the Mercedes GLA 250 or BMW X2 xDrive28i are for you. It all comes down to personal preference, really.