BMW X1 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Audi Q3 vs Mini Countryman vs Volkswagen Tiguan vs others

sunikkat · 6th December 2023, 21:15

Q3 among 3 Germans as it’s more fun to drive. Though I am a BMW fan, cannot put money on that puny engines / power output.
Among others Kodiaq or Tiguan. Rest doesn’t make a cut for me.

PerfectDrive · 18th December 2023, 18:10

I had similar confusion across Kodiaq, Q3 and X1.
My drive split is - 70% City and 30% Long.

Did not pick Kodiaq due to it's overall size and reviews on Skoda service.
Q3 is definitely better package. I did not like it's overall styling and interiors.
X1 was launched around that time and that tilted my decision in it's favour.
All reviews and messages in this forum on X1 (18d) confused me again.

After driving X1 (18d) for 10,500 Kms now, I feel it's a good decision.

Power: Even though 148bhp is definitely under-powered on paper, it does not feel so on drive. It could be because of reasonable torque and power getting delivered at lower rpm. May be will get better perception if we compare the performance charts (not peak value). It drives well in city, absolutely no concerns. Maybe higher power could have translated to even more higher top speed? Anyway it's power has not been a concern. Comparing power figures without looking overall safety aspects, torque, rpms may not give a complete picture.

Noise: It has very silent cabin with no engine noise. Road noise creeps in on really bad roads though. It's not a concern though. Also music at low volume offset this as well.

Others: Quality interiors, infotainment system, gesture tailgate function, massage seats, ADAS, sunroof (I keep the shade open on drive to office), wireless charger, seats with thigh support (makes huge difference on long drives). I'm able to leverage most of these features on daily basis.

Mileage: This is not really an aspect considering price in comparison with others. It provides 14 kmpl in city. On highways, it largely depends on driving style. Example: It clocked around 28 kmpl over a 200 kms non-stop drive strictly following applicable speed limits. In some ways it translates to comparatively less pollution as well.

Lack of physical controls: Maybe I'm used to this, it was same with Honda City as well (climate control was on a touch panel). Yes definitely iDrive controller is better.

Aggressive automated Start-Stop: Either I got used to it or am not noticing this. I do drive quite a lot in city, still didn't feel any issues. Maybe it depends on individual drive styles. Anyway not a concern.

Overall felt BMW X1 18d is a good package.

View Poll Results: Your choice?
BMW X1	28	11.16%
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	14	5.58%
Audi Q3	40	15.94%
Mini Countryman	12	4.78%
Volkswagen Tiguan	15	5.98%
Skoda Kodiaq	83	33.07%
Jeep Meridian	8	3.19%
Citroen C5 Aircross	7	2.79%
Hyundai Tucson	38	15.14%
Other (please specify in your post)	6	2.39%
Voters: 251. You may not vote on this poll

6th December 2023, 21:15	#31
sunikkat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,238 Thanked: 3,334 Times	Re: BMW X1 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Audi Q3 vs Mini Countryman vs Volkswagen Tiguan vs others Q3 among 3 Germans as it’s more fun to drive. Though I am a BMW fan, cannot put money on that puny engines / power output. Among others Kodiaq or Tiguan. Rest doesn’t make a cut for me.
	() Thanks

18th December 2023, 18:10	#32
PerfectDrive Newbie Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: BMW X1 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Audi Q3 vs Mini Countryman vs Volkswagen Tiguan vs others I had similar confusion across Kodiaq, Q3 and X1. My drive split is - 70% City and 30% Long. Did not pick Kodiaq due to it's overall size and reviews on Skoda service. Q3 is definitely better package. I did not like it's overall styling and interiors. X1 was launched around that time and that tilted my decision in it's favour. All reviews and messages in this forum on X1 (18d) confused me again. After driving X1 (18d) for 10,500 Kms now, I feel it's a good decision. Power: Even though 148bhp is definitely under-powered on paper, it does not feel so on drive. It could be because of reasonable torque and power getting delivered at lower rpm. May be will get better perception if we compare the performance charts (not peak value). It drives well in city, absolutely no concerns. Maybe higher power could have translated to even more higher top speed? Anyway it's power has not been a concern. Comparing power figures without looking overall safety aspects, torque, rpms may not give a complete picture. Noise: It has very silent cabin with no engine noise. Road noise creeps in on really bad roads though. It's not a concern though. Also music at low volume offset this as well. Others: Quality interiors, infotainment system, gesture tailgate function, massage seats, ADAS, sunroof (I keep the shade open on drive to office), wireless charger, seats with thigh support (makes huge difference on long drives). I'm able to leverage most of these features on daily basis. Mileage: This is not really an aspect considering price in comparison with others. It provides 14 kmpl in city. On highways, it largely depends on driving style. Example: It clocked around 28 kmpl over a 200 kms non-stop drive strictly following applicable speed limits. In some ways it translates to comparatively less pollution as well. Lack of physical controls: Maybe I'm used to this, it was same with Honda City as well (climate control was on a touch panel). Yes definitely iDrive controller is better. Aggressive automated Start-Stop: Either I got used to it or am not noticing this. I do drive quite a lot in city, still didn't feel any issues. Maybe it depends on individual drive styles. Anyway not a concern. Overall felt BMW X1 18d is a good package.
	() Thanks