You want it all, don’t you? Easy to park, yet spacious inside. Efficient and lively. Docile, but also burly—just like a grown-up SUV. These are all likely reasons why you’re looking at subcompact crossovers. Oh, you want sporty and luxurious, too?

If an SUV extant hits all those marks, we’ve yet to drive it. But between the 2021 BMW X1 and the redesigned 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, there’s good news: You can have most of it. However, one gives you more—a lot more—in how it backs up the badge it wears.

To decide which is better to live with every day, we drove city streets, bustling freeways, and curvy roads in between because when you want it all, you have to try a little bit of everything.

Looking at the specs, you might think there’s a subcompact crossover copy machine in Germany; the X1 and GLA are sized just about the same. Despite its redesign, which added dimensional increases almost everywhere, the GLA is just under 2 inches shorter in length than the BMW, though now a half-inch taller and wider.

Inside, the X1 has a substantial headroom advantage in both rows, but it trails the GLA in legroom. For 2021, the GLA gained a whopping 4.5 inches of rear legroom, which we immediately noticed. “The rear seats are useful now. I can actually sit behind myself comfortably,” said 6-foot-tall Associate Online Editor Stefan Ogbac. I can fit behind him, too, a surprise given my nearly 7-foot stature.

We both feel comparatively squeezed in the back of the X1. However, Ogbac observed that there’s definitely more cargo space, but that comes at the slight cost of rear-seat legroom. Indeed, the BMW has a bigger trunk and underfloor storage area. Neither of our test cars features a spare tire, though.

So the X1 is more utilitarian, while the GLA feels more spacious. That’s a reasonable tie at a standstill, but our favor quickly turned when we started driving.

Again, the spec sheet indicates more similarities than the experience yields. Both pack 2.0-liter turbo-four engines, making 221 hp in the Mercedes, 228 hp in the BMW, and an equal 258 lb-ft of torque each. Both are linked to eight-speed automatic transmissions: a dual-clutch type in the GLA and a traditional planetary unit with a torque converter in the X1. Both vehicles in this comparison have optional AWD. We previously recorded the X1’s 0-60 mph time at 6.8 seconds, and we estimate the GLA will be within a decimal place. EPA-rated fuel economy is 24/33 mpg city/highway in the GLA and 23/31 mpg in the X1.

Here’s the funny thing: The X1 is sportier, but it doesn’t drive better. Handling, like in many modern BMWs, feels detached and artificial. Ogbac commented: “There’s less body roll in the X1, but I still don’t trust it because there’s zero feedback coming from the steering wheel. It’s just numb and overly heavy.” The X1 presents itself as a sporty SUV. But driving it like one feels a bit sketchy.

While climbing up a set of switchbacks, BMW’s xDrive AWD system seems willing to send power to the rear axle—once the engine decides to make power. Boost takes a moment to build, and the transmission’s reluctance to downshift into the powerband doesn’t help. Even running in sport or manual mode, acceleration feels further away than we want it to be.

Meanwhile, the redesigned GLA feels genuinely SUV-ish, quite unlike its high-riding hot hatch predecessor. Ogbac advised: “Don’t get too excited when you throw it into a corner because it will roll all over the place.” However, that keel is checked by the nicely weighted, accurate steering. The GLA’s handling feels less agile but imparts a sense of predicable stability.

We much prefer the GLA’s drivetrain. Its acceleration, while not exciting, proves entirely sufficient. The engine feels smooth and refined, aided by the quick-thinking transmission that’d snappily drop gears to cook up power. Still, that dual-clutch clunks and fumbles a bit at low speeds.

The BMW’s brakes offer more precise modulation, but the pedal also emits an undue hydraulic noise absent in the Mercedes. That stood out to us more than any difference in braking performance.

Between these two, the X1 corners flatter and turns in more quickly, making it feel sportier than the GLA. Nonetheless, the GLA’s better composure and adept drivetrain let us push it just as hard. We ultimately prefer the Mercedes for fun driving. Look, neither feels legitimately sporty—they’re subcompact SUVs, after all. But you’re after luxury, too, right?

If you’re upgrading out of something basic, the X1 might appease you. But if you’re accustomed to the finer things and won’t tolerate compromise, the GLA is your only choice here.

No longer is a three-pointed star badge the GLA’s most noteworthy luxury feature. Its cabin is stylish; the turbine air vents, slick HVAC controls, and layered trim pieces look snazzy. Key touchpoints like the steering wheel and armrests are plush, unlike the firm seat cushioning. Exploratory prodding uncovers some plasticky materials, but build quality feels strong overall.

The GLA’s relaxing, quiet ride upholds its luxurious aims. On our test route, we were aware of, yet unbothered by, larger road imperfections, while coarse and cracked pavement almost go unnoticed. Some secondary body motions result from this supple suspension damping, but that is a tradeoff we appreciate. The GLA feels as composed on freeways and city streets as it does on winding roads.

Switching into the X1 marks a stark contrast. Its cabin layout provides an airy feel, though it lacks design inspiration. Ogbac called it “austere” with build quality “barely above that of a mainstream car.” Like in the GLA, high-touch areas are padded, but trim details feel cut-rate. Various buttons and switchgear lack the satisfying tactility that evokes an upscale aura. We’ve experienced nicer interiors in crossovers that make no claim to luxury.

In pursuit of sportiness, the X1 gives up a lot of comfort. This tester’s optional M Sport suspension feels stiff without providing commensurate responses. Road defects that the GLA erased were suddenly conspicuous, jostling the X1 around. The optional sport seats felt better bolstered than the GLA’s standard chairs but didn’t insulate us from the brittle ride. Ogbac questioned how the ride could be this much worse, given that the BMW rides on 18-inch wheels while the GLA had heavier, optional 19s.

As unconvincing as the X1 was as a sporty crossover, it was even less convincingly luxurious. As such, we much preferred settling into the stylish, cosseting GLA.

Few vehicles can compete with a brand-new Mercedes’ tech. As standard, the GLA is equipped with 7.0-inch infotainment and gauge cluster displays, two USB ports in each row, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, and more. Our tester upped the dazzle factor with its twin 10.3-inch optional displays.

Benz’s MBUX infotainment interface can display a mind-boggling range of information. Adding to the convenience (or confusion) is the fact that it can be controlled via the touchscreen, a console trackpad, or small buttons on the steering wheel. Still, if there was ever a feature or setting we couldn’t locate, we simply asked the car. Saying “Hey, Mercedes” brought the digital assistant to attention, which almost faultlessly interpreted our commands.

The X1 has useful tech features like a standard 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen and the same connectivity abilities as the GLA, plus built-in navigation. But its lack of an all-digital gauge display hints at its age. Further evidence is the older iDrive infotainment system, which works via the touchscreen, console dial, or voice controls. Newer revisions elevate functions out of this one’s confusing menu structure.

Lane departure warning is included on the X1, the GLA has blind spot warnings, and both have automatic emergency braking and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Even as economy cars gain numerous standard driver aids, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist cost extra on this duo.

Newer cars aren’t always better. Newer tech often is, though, so the GLA 250 has this advantage.

Ask for it all, and you won’t get everything. The X1 and GLA 250 each have their own capabilities and compromises, but both carry the weight of aspirational insignias. Especially considering their similar pricing, only one truly justifies its badge.

It isn’t the X1. Its cargo may be its best attribute, as it provided plenty of space within a small footprint. As a whole, though, we couldn’t find much to like about the X1. Despite some handling advantages, its listless powertrain and pointlessly stiff suspension negated any sporty fun. Its lackluster cabin didn’t seem fit for a luxury car. BMW, bigger grilles or bluer badges won’t redeem the X1; it’s time for a major update, if not a full redesign. The X1 has been on the market since 2015, and it shows. Our advice: benchmark the GLA.

Yes, the GLA costs $885 more to start and $7,100 more as-tested. It’s worth it. Spacious, stylish, cushy, and high-tech, this Mercedes is properly luxurious and strikes us as a better value. Its 2021 redesign made the GLA feel more SUV-ish and less fun, but it remains composed when flung into corners. Shortly after swapping into it from the X1 I found myself muttering “This is so much nicer.” That’s the point, and it’s why the 2021 GLA 250 wins this comparison. It’s the one we’d happily live with every day.

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