Verdict
At RM258,888 apiece, this is a straight choice between petrol convenience and electric pace. The Countryman’s two motors produce 313 hp and 494 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 5.6 seconds against the GLA’s 161 hp, 250 Nm and 8.7 seconds, while its 66.5-kWh battery is rated for 432 km. It also brings a 460-litre boot and more driver assistance. The GLA counters with RM100 annual road tax versus RM335, seven airbags and a four-year warranty; its 43-litre petrol tank suits buyers without dependable charging.
GLA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you need petrol refuelling, want the four-year warranty and prefer its seven-airbag count.
Countryman
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge at home or work and want 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive and a larger boot.
Key differences
- Powertrain: GLA 1.332-litre 161-hp/250-Nm petrol engine; Countryman twin-motor 313-hp/494-Nm EV system.
- Acceleration: GLA 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds; Countryman in 5.6 seconds.
- Running tax: GLA road tax is RM100 per year; Countryman road tax is RM335 per year.
- Cargo space: GLA boot is 435 litres; Countryman boot is 460 litres.
- Warranty: GLA gets four years with unlimited mileage; Countryman gets two years with unlimited mileage plus an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
- Driver assistance: GLA has no lane-keeping assist or blind spot system; Countryman has steering correction and blind spot information.
GLA
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- Seven airbags, one more than the Countryman
- 2,729-mm wheelbase, 37 mm longer than the Countryman’s
- 0-100 km/h takes 8.7 seconds versus 5.6 seconds
- 435-litre boot is 25 litres smaller
- No blind spot information system, lane-keeping assist or auto parking
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two motors
- 432-km EV range with 22-kW AC and 130-kW DC charging
- 460-litre boot, active cruise control and head-up display
- RM335 annual road tax versus the GLA’s RM100
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
- Six airbags versus seven in the GLA
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM335 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 313 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 494 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 432 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 130 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,433 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,656 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km 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 GLA & Countryman for sale
GLA vs Countryman FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or MINI Countryman better?
The Countryman is the better-equipped and much quicker choice if you have regular charging, with 313 hp, all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot. Choose the GLA for petrol convenience, lower road tax, seven airbags and its four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: RM0. Both cost RM258,888.
Can the MINI Countryman be charged quickly?
Yes. The Countryman supports AC charging at up to 22 kW and DC charging at up to 130 kW. Its 66.5-kWh battery has a stated range of 432 km.
