Verdict
At the same RM258,888, these two C-segment SUVs take markedly different routes. The Countryman is the quicker machine by a long way, using two motors for 313 hp, 494 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time; it also brings 432 km of EV range and 22 kW AC/130 kW DC charging. The GLA counters with a 1,332 cc turbo petrol engine rated at 5.6 L/100 km, a 43-litre tank and a four-year manufacturer warranty. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the MINI has the stronger equipment and performance case; the Mercedes suits those committed to petrol use.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want a 5.6 L/100 km petrol SUV with a 43-litre fuel tank and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you have access to charging and want 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive and substantially richer driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Powertrain: GLA has a 1,332 cc 161 hp/250 Nm turbo petrol engine; Countryman has two electric motors producing 313 hp/494 Nm.
- Performance: GLA reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and tops out at 210 km/h; Countryman does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reaches 180 km/h.
- Range/energy: GLA is rated at 5.6 L/100 km with a 43-litre tank; Countryman has a 66.5 kWh battery and 432 km EV range.
- Charging: GLA has no charging rating; Countryman supports 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Practicality: GLA has a 2,729 mm wheelbase and 435-litre boot; Countryman has a 2,692 mm wheelbase and 460-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: GLA has no lane-keeping assist or blind-spot system; Countryman gets steering correction and blind-spot information.
GLA
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel economy and 43-litre tank
- Longer 2,729 mm wheelbase and 105 km/h pedestrian-detection braking
- 0-100 km/h takes 8.7 seconds versus the Countryman’s 5.6 seconds
- 435-litre boot is 25 litres smaller
- No blind-spot information, lane-keeping assist, active cruise control or head-up display
Countryman
- 313 hp, 494 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 432 km EV range, plus 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging
- 460-litre boot, active cruise control, auto parking and head-up display
- Two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty versus the GLA’s four years
- RM335 annual road tax versus RM100
- 180 km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower
| 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 | — |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | — |
| Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 72.2 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 | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | — | 4 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, with 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive, active cruise control and a 460-litre boot. Choose the GLA instead if petrol running and its four-year manufacturer warranty matter more than EV charging.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: both are priced at RM258,888. The Countryman adds EV hardware, 313 hp and more assistance features, while the GLA brings a turbo petrol engine and a longer four-year manufacturer warranty.
Can the MINI Countryman handle longer trips?
The Countryman has a claimed 432 km EV range from its 66.5 kWh battery, with 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging capability. It suits longer trips when charging stops can be planned; the GLA instead uses a 43-litre petrol tank.
