Verdict
At RM236,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 costs RM22,000 less than the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift. The newer CKD car is not a night-and-day performance change: it is only 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, despite 161 hp against 156 hp. For Malaysian daily use, the gap buys 435 litres of boot space, rear air vents, 10.25-inch MBUX with wireless phone integration, a 360-degree camera and pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking. The X156 counters with a 50-litre tank, paddle shifts and a 215 km/h top speed.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 if you want the lower entry price, a 50-litre fuel tank and paddle shifts.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift if you want newer safety assistance, better cabin tech and a four-year factory warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 RM236,888; Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift RM258,888.
- Performance: X156 makes 156 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds; H247 Facelift makes 161 hp and does it in 8.7 seconds.
- Fuel economy: X156 is rated at 5.9 L/100 km; H247 Facelift is rated at 5.6 L/100 km.
- Space: X156 has a 2,699 mm wheelbase and 421-litre boot; H247 Facelift has a 2,729 mm wheelbase and 435-litre boot.
- Safety: X156 has six airbags and no autonomous braking; H247 Facelift has seven airbags and pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking up to 105 km/h.
- Warranty: X156 gets two years plus a two-year extended warranty; H247 Facelift gets a four-year manufacturer warranty.
X156
- 50-litre fuel tank, versus 43 litres
- 215 km/h top speed, versus 210 km/h
- Paddle shifts fitted
- No autonomous braking or collision warning
- Manual air-con and no rear air vents
- 5.8-inch Audio 20 CD system lacks the H247 Facelift's 10.25-inch MBUX and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
H247 Facelift
- Pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and seven airbags
- 10.25-inch MBUX with voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 435-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- RM22,000 more expensive
- 90 kg heavier at 1,485 kg
- 43-litre fuel tank and 210 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM236,888✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,595 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 156 hp at 5,300 rpm | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1,250 rpm | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73.7 mm × 83 mm | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.9 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Co2 | 139 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,417 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,804 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,494 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,699 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,395 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 421 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear EfficientGrip, Yokohama C.drive2 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5 Twin Spoke Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5 Twin Spoke Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension - 30 mm higher | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Manual recline, 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 5.8" Audio 20 CD with Bluetooth | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
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 cars for sale
X156 vs H247 Facelift FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 or Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift is the better-equipped choice, adding autonomous braking, a 360-degree camera, MBUX and a four-year warranty. The X156 makes sense when the lower purchase price, larger fuel tank and paddle shifts matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 Facelift costs RM22,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA X156.
Which GLA has the better cabin technology and rear-seat flexibility?
The H247 Facelift does. It has a 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus 40:20:40 rear-seat split-folding. The X156 uses a 5.8-inch Audio 20 CD system and 60:40 rear seats.
