Verdict
At RM363,888, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM95,000 more than the RM268,888 Volvo XC40, but it is the clear performance choice: 302 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds against 263 hp, 390 Nm and 6.4 seconds. The Volvo makes the more rational Malaysian family SUV case with a 460-litre boot, five-year warranty and 49-litre tank. Its 7.7 L/100 km rating also gives buyers a useful running-cost reference. The AMG counters with adaptive dampers, 20-inch wheels and a 12-speaker 710W Burmester system.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if 5.2-second 0-100 km/h pace, 302 hp and AMG Ride Control matter more than RM95,000 and 25 litres of boot space.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the lower RM268,888 entry price, a 460-litre boot and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM363,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 302 hp and 400 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 5.2 seconds and 250 km/h; Volvo XC40 6.4 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Boot space and fuel tank: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 435 litres and 43 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres and 49 litres.
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA four years/unlimited mileage; Volvo XC40 five years/unlimited mileage.
- Wheels: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 20-inch alloys with 255/40R20 tyres; Volvo XC40 19-inch alloys with 235/50R19 tyres.
AMG GLA
- 302 hp and 400 Nm with 5.2-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select.
- 12-speaker 710W Burmester audio, 360-degree camera and 64-colour ambient lighting.
- RM95,000 pricier than the Volvo XC40.
- 435-litre boot is 25 litres smaller than the XC40's.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter than the XC40's.
XC40
- RM268,888 price is RM95,000 lower.
- 460-litre boot and 49-litre fuel tank.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty.
- 263 hp and 390 Nm trail the AMG GLA's 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.2 seconds slower.
- Has a reversing camera rather than the AMG GLA's 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM363,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 3,000 rpm✓ | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,680 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used AMG GLA & XC40 for sale
AMG GLA vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA or Volvo XC40 better?
The AMG GLA is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds with 302 hp. The XC40 is the better-value family choice, costing RM95,000 less while bringing a larger 460-litre boot and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM363,888 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, so the AMG GLA is RM95,000 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot and longer warranty?
The Volvo XC40 has the larger 460-litre boot versus 435 litres in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA. It also has a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, compared with four years for the AMG GLA.
