Mercedes GLA or BMW X1 in 2026? One has already changed, the other is about to: the buyer's guide

Two German rivals, two opposite strategies, the same summer

In August 2026, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are tackling the same challenge — renewing their premium compact SUV — with almost opposite strategies. The new GLA is already orderable in Italy, but only as an electric car. The X1 remains essentially the model we already know, awaiting a facelift due between late 2026 and early 2027. For anyone weighing up one of Italy's two best-selling premium German SUVs, the timing matters: understanding what is changing, and when, can be the difference between a good deal and a purchase that loses value fast.

The new GLA is already on sale, but electric only

Since 30 July 2026, the new-generation GLA has been orderable at Italian dealerships, with deliveries expected between late 2026 and early 2027. The real news is not styling but substance: at launch the range consists exclusively of battery-electric versions, built on Mercedes' new 800-volt architecture.

Three variants are available. The GLA 200 uses a 58 kWh LFP battery and makes 224 hp, priced from €46,972. The GLA 250+ steps up to an 85 kWh battery and 272 hp, with a declared range of up to 657 km WLTP, from €52,706. At the top sits the GLA 350 4MATIC, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant putting out 354 hp, from €56,036. Thanks to the 800V architecture, DC fast charging can peak at 320 kW.

The 48-volt petrol mild-hybrid versions, which will likely make up most of the volume in a market like Italy where electrification still lags, will not arrive before 2027. Until then, anyone wanting a petrol or diesel GLA has to look at the outgoing H247 generation, still on sale: the 180 mild-hybrid Executive starts at €43,800, the 180d diesel at €44,959, and the 250e plug-in hybrid at €53,225.

The X1 stands still for now, but a Neue Klasse facelift is close

BMW is taking a more gradual path. The current X1 (U11 generation) remains on sale essentially unchanged: the latest update to the Italian price list dates to 28 May 2026, valid for cars built from 1 July onward. The sDrive18i mild-hybrid starts at €42,500, the X-Line at €45,300, the M Sport at €46,750 and the M Sport Pro at €50,450; the current electric iX1 remains the range's zero-emission option.

The real change is already visible in test mules photographed on roads in Northern Europe and expected to reach showrooms between late 2026 and early 2027: a deep facelift introducing the Neue Klasse design language that debuted on the new iX3, replacing the twin-kidney grille with a more minimal solution, adding horizontal rear light clusters, and bringing the new Panoramic iDrive system inside. The underlying platform stays the same, so this is not the radical architectural break the GLA is going through. The electric iX1 will also get a new internal code (NB5) and, according to the latest reports, may adopt a rear-wheel-drive layout for single-motor versions, with an estimated range of 400-450 km and 10-80% DC charging in around 30 minutes. Pricing is not official yet, but early estimates put it between roughly €42,000 and €65,000 depending on trim.

Comparing prices: who costs more today

Looking only at the petrol and diesel models currently on sale, the gap between the two Germans is small: the entry-level X1 sDrive18i (€42,500) undercuts the GLA 180 (€43,800) by about €1,300, a gap that persists across the range. The picture flips on electric power: the new electric GLA starts at €46,972 with an already highly competitive range (up to 657 km for the 250+), while the current iX1, despite comparable starting prices with incentives and lease deals, offers meaningfully less range while it waits for its own technical overhaul.

In short: today the X1 wins on combustion-engine list prices, while the new GLA wins clearly on electric range. But it is a temporary edge — within a few months, the next-generation iX1 should close most of that range gap.

Two different characters, same segment

Beyond the numbers, the GLA and X1 stay true to their respective brand identities. BMW prioritises driving dynamics, with sharper steering and a chassis tuned for drivers who enjoy time behind the wheel; Mercedes leans into comfort, in-car technology and a cabin that feels more polished, with the MBUX infotainment system among the most complete in the class. Buyers who want a car that is genuinely fun even on short trips tend to prefer the X1; those who want a relaxed drive with the best available tech lean toward the GLA. That difference in character will not change with either update: the new electric GLA amplifies the brand's tech-forward positioning, while the X1's facelift refreshes the looks without touching the product's driving soul.

Buy now, wait, or shop used?

For anyone after a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, today's practical choice is still between the current X1 and the outgoing GLA H247: the latter, precisely because it is being replaced by a new generation, could see more aggressive dealer discounts in the coming months, while the X1 will remain the same product even after its facelift and so should not face the same pressure on discounts.

For anyone set on going electric, the new GLA is currently the only one of the two offering a genuinely up-to-date product, with class-leading range and charging; the current iX1 remains a solid choice but is technically older, awaiting its own generational change.

On the used market, the difference between the two is likely to be sharp. The outgoing petrol and diesel GLA will quickly become a transitional model, discontinued once stock runs out, and that historically compresses residual values in the 12-18 months after a replacement launches. The current X1, by contrast, will not go out of production with the facelift: only the bodywork changes, not the platform, so its value should hold up better over time, making a recent used X1 a comparatively safer buy for anyone thinking about resale a few years down the line.

The practical takeaway

If there is no rush and electric power is the goal, waiting for the new Neue Klasse-based iX1 makes sense, since it is only a few months away and should close most of the range gap with the new GLA. If a car is needed now and the choice is petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid, the current X1 remains the steadier bet on residual value, while it is worth negotiating hard on the outgoing GLA — dealers have every incentive to clear that stock before the electric-only range takes over.

Sources

The numbered sources are listed at the end of this article.