MB GLA250/BMW X1/Audi Q3/?

[Pazuzu]

Wife is looking for a "crossover". All three marques are making essentially the same speced vehicle right now...dimensions within an inch of each other, engines all 4 banger turbos around 200-215hp, all have AWD options, all running in the $32-50k depending on optioning.

We have not sat in one yet. She likes the MB looks, I like that it's the only one with a true double clutch setup vs. a slushbox, but it's a FWD with a power take-off, as opposed to the BMW which is a RWD with take-off. The Audi is FWD/AWD but comes better equipped stock.

Neither of us really want the electronics bells and whistles, and we would likely forgo any packages that have things like reverse cameras and lane change sensors and crap like that, so they are not part of the decision process.

Naturally I would want the MB AMG version, but honestly, I don't think she does.

Anyone have one? Shopped for them? Have another option?

She wants something more luxe, and has a hatch. I want something that fits under my outstretched arm (so, height limit of, lets say, 62 inches). Why? Just because. Something fun but "nicer" than the Mazda3 she's getting rid of. If they made the hatch STI still, it might be in the running. I like the R-Design Volvo V60, she kinda doesn't, but she hasn't seen one in person yet.


If anyone says Buick Encore I will reach through the computer and choke you.

[porsche4life]

Seriously, go drive a Ford Escape Titanium. With all the bells and whistles and AWD you'll get out for under 40k. I considered all the Germans but the ford drives great, has gobs of power, and is just as nice inside. I love it and its performed flawlessly in 11k miles since October.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Neither of us really want the electronics bells and whistles

So you choose the three makers with the MOST bells and whistles?

Volvo, Lexus or Hyundai would be my picks

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Seriously, go drive a Ford Escape Titanium. With all the bells and whistles and AWD you'll get out for under 40k. I considered all the Germans but the ford drives great, has gobs of power, and is just as nice inside. I love it and its performed flawlessly in 11k miles since October.

^^this.

[nostatic]

Had an X1 which I liked but frankly +2 for the Ford. You don't get the brand cache, but it is as solid and certainly less money for what you get.

[gacook]

Don't overlook Kia/Hyundai, either...they've come a long way with styling and function/reliability. I've owned a Sorrento (2005 timeframe) and a Borrego (2009) and both were great vehicles that I never had any problems with.

[Seahawk]

When I travel I always try and get a Ford Escape Titanium or just a straight Escape. If you need exclusivity, not your deal.

I am 6'4" and feel right at home. When my wife's 2003 4Runner becomes a mod vehicle for me, the Escape is on the top of our list as her DD.

That will happen sometime around 2025.

[ErVikingo]

Lexus Nx (Or a Buick Enclave ��)

[djantlive]

Gla250 is the best of the three

Escape and other choices are for rental cars

[porsche4life]

Sorry. But I could have bought any of them and the escape won out for me. Just as nice, no snob factor, and God forbid I have a problem, a dealer in damn near every town in the US. I drive a ton so that is always a concern.

[Rick Lee]

Mrs. Lee just went through this and was looking at exactly those three German SUVs. She went with the X1. We've only had it a month, but it's so nice that I'm thinking of buying one too.

[silverc4s]

Check out the Acura RDX. It is in that same size range, and I think holds its resale value over the Germans, very reliable. They are V6 based now, used to be 4 cyl turbo up to 2011 or so.
We've had one for 4 years now and it has been bulletproof. With SH-AWD it is a blast to drive, handles better than most sport sedans.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Another vote for the Escape if you don't need to impress the neighbors. Very nice and fun to drive little SUV.

[Pazuzu]

Too big, too tall, too bulky...

All of those other options are just too big to me (they're firmly in the SUV category). Even the 3 I'm looking at are too big in my mind, but there simply isn't a smaller hatch that is either (a) good enough quality or (b) interesting to the wife.

What about comparing something like the X1 and the 328i sportwagon? Surprisingly the wagon weights MORE than the X1!

Maybe she should just buy a pickup and be done with it

[Rick Lee]

I think the X1 is more like a station wagon. Mrs. Lee insisted she needed the ride height of an SUV. But otherwise it's a wagon.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I think the X1 is more like a station wagon. Mrs. Lee insisted she needed the ride height of an SUV. But otherwise it's a wagon.

That's what i like about the German options, they are not but a few inches total bigger than the current car, so I expect that I can toss them around a bit through traffic without feeling top heavy, and can be parked in tight spots and small parallel street parking spots. I see all of the "small SUV" level vehicles at work and they barely fit in parking spots, put a few side by side and they simply don't fit. Some of those listed above are 6 inches taller and over 2 tons! for a "small" SUV!!

Thank you all for some of the other options, I did look at them and even though *I* may not be keen on them, SWMBO might feel differently, and it gives us a few more options to look at.


Or Cayman. Because racecar.

[nostatic]

Well, then get a hatchback. What is the reason for the SUV/SAV angle? Really the only differentiation is an inch or two of ride height.

Check out the VW Golf/GTI (2015 model), Mazda 3 series (or upcoming CX3), or Ford Focus.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I think the X1 is more like a station wagon. Mrs. Lee insisted she needed the ride height of an SUV. But otherwise it's a wagon.

Exactly. Every CUV is a tall wagon/hatchback. Most are based on a small sedan chassis. Unless you need the ground clearance for snow, an actual wagon or hatchback is superior in every way.

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Mrs. Lee just went through this and was looking at exactly those three German SUVs. She went with the X1. We've only had it a month, but it's so nice that I'm thinking of buying one too.

Which model X1 did you get?

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Mrs. Lee just went through this and was looking at exactly those three German SUVs. She went with the X1. We've only had it a month, but it's so nice that I'm thinking of buying one too.

Was reading an article last week that list the top 10 cars most likely to be traded the first year and the X1 was on there. The numbers were something like 1 in 11 owners. Seems like a nice car. Do you think people expected it to be able to carry more? Or is there something else?