Verdict
At RM258,888, the GLA is RM10,000 below the XC40 and its 5.6 L/100 km rating plus RM100 annual road tax matter in Malaysia, against 7.7 L/100 km and RM428. The Volvo answers with 263 hp and 390 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds versus the Mercedes-Benz’s 161 hp, 250 Nm and 8.7 seconds. It also brings all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control. Choose the GLA for lower running figures, its 360-degree camera and MBUX’s 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless phone integration.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if lower purchase and road-tax costs, 5.6 L/100 km economy, a 360-degree camera and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto matter most.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive, stronger driver assistance and a larger 460-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp/250 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp/390 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and driveline: Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 seconds/FWD; Volvo XC40 6.4 seconds/AWD.
- Economy and annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLA 5.6 L/100 km/RM100; Volvo XC40 7.7 L/100 km/RM428.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Driver assistance: Mercedes-Benz GLA has no lane-keeping assist or blind-spot system; Volvo XC40 has steering correction and Blind Spot Info System.
GLA
- RM10,000 lower purchase price and RM328 lower annual road tax.
- Lower 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel use.
- 360-degree surround-view camera and 10.25-inch MBUX with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Slower 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.4 seconds.
- No blind-spot system, lane-keeping assist, active cruise control or auto parking.
- Smaller 435-litre boot versus 460 litres.
XC40
- 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 460-litre boot, active cruise control and auto parking.
- Blind Spot Info System, steering correction and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Costs RM10,000 more and annual road tax is RM428 versus RM100.
- Higher 7.7 L/100 km rated fuel use versus 5.6 L/100 km.
- Only a reverse camera, where the GLA gets a 360-degree surround view.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888✓ | RM268,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km✓ | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 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 | 1,485 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 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 | 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 & 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" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 GLA & XC40 for sale
GLA vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Volvo XC40 better?
The GLA is the better buy for lower upfront and running costs, rated at 5.6 L/100 km with RM100 road tax. The XC40 is better if power, all-wheel drive, active driver assistance and the larger boot outweigh its higher price and 7.7 L/100 km rating.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, which is RM10,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA at RM258,888.
Which is quicker and has the larger boot?
The XC40 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds against the GLA’s 8.7 seconds. It also has a 460-litre boot, 25 litres more than the GLA’s 435 litres.
