If you are looking for an SUV that is small and compact, yet luxurious and roomy, two of the most common options are the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Lincoln MKC. Lincoln is not normally a brand that is compared with Mercedes-Benz, but especially in this case, the MKC does more than compete with the GLA. In fact, it does better than most other GLA challengers, and it's a Lincoln! Of course, Lincoln is a luxury brand, but it doesn't get as much publicity as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, or BMW because of its close affiliation with the Ford brand.

Popularity aside, the Lincoln MKC is a great option for the money, but it is missing a few of the finishing touches that make the GLA so appealing. This includes DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes, DRIVE PILOT, and Mercedes-Benz app, to name a few, but the real gap in satisfaction lies underneath the hood.

2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG® GLA 45	VS	2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve 300A
2.0L Turbo I4	Engine	2.3L GTDI I4
375	Horsepower	285
350	Torque	305
7-Speed Automatic	Transmission	6 Speed Automatic

Mercedes-Benz AMG® Turbocharged Performance

Right now, there is no EcoBoost engine available for the MKC. If there were, we think this comparison might have gone another way, but there isn't. Granted, the 2.3-liter engine in the Lincoln is powerful with 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, but it never had a chance against the 2.0L Turbocharged I4 in the GLA45. It has almost 100 more horsepower and adds 45 lb-ft of torque into the mix, all with a smaller displacement. When you combine this with the AMG® SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed automatic transmission, the GLA can jump from 0-60 in just 4.3 seconds, which is almost unheard of for an SUV.

All in all, there are two reasons to buy an MKC. The first reason is to save money. The MKC is notably more affordable than the GLA , but only in flagship form. The second reason is the huge panoramic sunroof on top of it, because that is just cool. Unfortunately, there are many more reasons to invest in a GLA, so the winner of this comparison, without question, is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA.