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Mazda 3 Sedan vs Mercedes GLA comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 421 HP), boot space and price (25,000 £ vs 38,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Sedan or Mercedes GLA?

Mazda 3 Sedan vs Mercedes GLA: Key differences

Mazda 3 Sedan

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • slightly lighter
  • marginally more trunk space
details

Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Sedan

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mazda 3 Sedan is considerably cheaper – starting at 25,000 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 13,859 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLA uses 2.9 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Mazda 3 Sedan with 5.5 L/100km. The difference is about 2.6 L/100km.

GLA

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLA offers significantly more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 186 HP. That’s roughly 235 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the Mazda 3 Sedan takes 8.1 s. That’s about 3.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA delivers considerably more torque with 500 Nm compared to 240 Nm. That’s about 260 Nm more.

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda 3 Sedan is slightly lighter – 1,420 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 150 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mazda 3 Sedan offers marginally more boot space – 450 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 15 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLA carries very slightly more – 500 kg compared to 481 kg. That’s a difference of about 19 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLA holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £38,800
GLA

Mercedes GLA

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 421 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 74 km
details

Frequently compared as well

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Mercedes GLA
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The Mercedes B‑Class is the practical, airy people‑carrier that prioritises space and comfort, while the Mercedes GLA takes the same mechanical smarts and adds SUV looks, higher ride height and a touch more road presence. Pick the B‑Class for family‑friendly sense and efficiency, choose the GLA if …
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Mazda 3 Sedan
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mazda 3 Sedan

The Mazda 3 Sedan dresses like a compact premium car, with sculpted lines and an interior that punches well above its class. It rewards drivers with eager handling and a composed, comfortable ride that turns routine runs into something a bit more enjoyable — proof that style and substance can share the same key.

details
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Reviews Mazda 3 Sedan

4.7 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

Mercedes GLA

The Mercedes GLA blends Mercedes style with compact crossover practicality, looking sharper than its size suggests while still feeling purposeful around town. Inside it serves up premium materials and tech-forward ergonomics, and the composed ride makes it an appealing pick for buyers who want luxury wrapped in a city-friendly package with a wink of adventurous spirit.

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20C0047_115

Reviews Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
Lucien
1 May 2026, 07:12:24

GLA 180 petrol. Ideal for city and highway. Very smooth and quiet. The automatic gearbox is a delight. Average consumption 6.2 L/100 km. Special edition 180 Cyber Edition, leather seats....

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Gutter
24 Feb 2026, 21:53:27

Super nimble, very impressive power from this 1,300cc mild‑hybrid engine — in town, on the road and on the motorway for this 2025 GLA 180 Style AMG... premium interior!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Serge
16 Jan 2026, 16:09:11

You have to compare like with like — the GLA should be compared to the Q3, not the Q2 as in your study!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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Mazda 3 Sedan
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption
Price
25,000 - 34,200 £
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 6.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
74 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
123 - 135 g/km
co2
66 - 216 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,492 kg
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Trunk capacity
450 L
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
467 - 481 kg
Payload
480 - 500 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
Brand
Mazda
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drivetrain options does the Mazda 3 Sedan have?

The Mazda 3 Sedan is offered with Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.